50m, 60m or 70m

I’m moving to Washington state and was wondering if I needed to bring all 3 sizes with me?  I own all 3 and almost never use the 50m here in MD, are there small crags that I’ll need a 50m out there?

If you decide you are looking to get rid of the 50m I could probably use that here in western PA.  Hit me up if you end up looking to part with that rope.

Nick Haha wrote:

…are there small crags that I’ll need a 50m out there?

You never need a 50m rope.

I think a 70m is the best single rope length for WA if you just own one. 60s are great too, but there are a lot of popular routes that suggest a 70 that you'll probably want to try. Agree with others that you never "need" the 50.

Will N wrote:

I think a 70m is the best single rope length for WA if you just own one. 60s are great too, but there are a lot of popular routes that suggest a 70 that you'll probably want to try. Agree with others that you never "need" the 50.

Thank you Will for the advice.  I own 1 50m, 2 60m and 1 70m

Playing devils advocate. 50 could be good if u do a lot of alpine rock depending on the route.  Less rope to pull, carry and manage. Have to use caution though since so many raps are based on a 60. 

Places like index, a 70 may be required. Darrington routes were mostly established with two 50s, but a 60 works totally fine for 90% of the rock. There's local variation, and it can depend on whether it is a sport or traditional route. Most of our prolific developers install anchors every 30m on multipitch sport. So a 60 works fine for things like the goat wall. 

That being said, a 70 eliminates rappel shenanigans and is what I climb with almost exclusively. 

Most climbing trips I bring a 60 meter rope 60 tag line and a 70. The single 60 works on most objectives. 

Marc H wrote:

You never need a 50m rope.

so, i just spent some time climbing (generous) 40' limestone routes on mt. potosi and would have loved to have my gym (40m) rope.  i guess you're right, you never need a 50m rope ;-)

I'm gonna piggyback on Nick's thread here, since I just moved to Washington and have a rope related question: How useful do people find double ropes for Washington climbing? Worth it for alpine rock, Darrington, Index, etc? If you think doubles are worth it, what length would you recommend? 60m?

My ropes are all getting old so I could use an upgrade and trying to decide if I want to get doubles or another single. I have 1 50m single rope, 1 formerly 70m (now like 67m) single rope, and 1 more formerly 70m single rope that is now relegated to TR solo use. 

wisam wrote:

Most climbing trips I bring a 60 meter rope 60 tag line and a 70. The single 60 works on most objectives. 

Thank you for your help

I’d bring them all. I use all my 50, 60, and 70 ropes plenty. 

70.  

Andrew P wrote:

I'm gonna piggyback on Nick's thread here, since I just moved to Washington and have a rope related question: How useful do people find double ropes for Washington climbing? Worth it for alpine rock, Darrington, Index, etc? If you think doubles are worth it, what length would you recommend? 60m?

My ropes are all getting old so I could use an upgrade and trying to decide if I want to get doubles or another single. I have 1 50m single rope, 1 formerly 70m (now like 67m) single rope, and 1 more formerly 70m single rope that is now relegated to TR solo use. 

If you end up shopping for doubles, I’ve got a pair in like-new condition. 70m dry treated doubles from Edelweiss I’d sell ya. 

Andrew P wrote:

I'm gonna piggyback on Nick's thread here, since I just moved to Washington and have a rope related question: How useful do people find double ropes for Washington climbing? Worth it for alpine rock, Darrington, Index, etc? If you think doubles are worth it, what length would you recommend? 60m?

My ropes are all getting old so I could use an upgrade and trying to decide if I want to get doubles or another single. I have 1 50m single rope, 1 formerly 70m (now like 67m) single rope, and 1 more formerly 70m single rope that is now relegated to TR solo use. 

I rarely use my doubles.