The climbing rope is one of the most important components in climbing equipment. Whether climbing in the hall or outdoors: A safe climbing rope Decides on the fun of sports. Who climbs outdoors, should climbing rope Check for cracks in the core of the rope and for external damage prior to use. If in doubt, it should be replaced for safety’s sake. Safety is paramount in climbing sports. Among the offerings on climbing ropes in the trade, there are many differences. Although knowing them does not determine life and death, the ropes are finally stably constructed these days. However, a high-quality manufactured rope is longer lasting and therefore offers more security.

What does a climbing rope consist of?

Climbing ropes were made of hemp until the 1950s. This material is no longer used today to construct a rope. Currently only rugged polyamide fibers are used in the production of the ropes. The climbing ropes are made to have a dynamic rope stretch. This is given with an elasticity of eight percent. In the event of a fall, the tackle rope is therefore not braked abruptly, but the rope is initially a little until it takes its final position. As a result, part of the fall energy is collected during a fall. The falling end is protected from serious injury and bone fractures that could be caused by too rigid a rope. Semi-rigid ropes with a stretch of five percent are therefore not suitable for climbing. The climbing ropes are often tested for their resilience and elasticity before they are sold commercially. It also determines how many drops the rope can endure before it can no longer be used. Thus, a high level of safety can be assumed for the ropes.

Approval standards for climbing ropes with sufficient elongation:

– Standard UIAA with the CE mark
– Code EN 892

Which climbing ropes are there?

The climbing ropes are divided into different versions. The ropes for climbing offered in the trade are suitable for various requirements. Therefore, care should be taken in the selection of which ropes are suitable for the various uses. The climbing ropes are divided into these categories:

– Single ropes are among the best selling climbing ropes. They have a diameter of nine to eleven millimeters. The use is simple, so they are most often used by newbies. A fall in a lead is, however, no problem with these ropes. The single ropes can be used for alpine climbing and sport climbing.

– The half-rope, which is also referred to as a double rope, has a diameter of eight to nine millimeters. This rope is thin and light, making it a pleasant companion on longer trips. The climber, who carries a lot of luggage anyway, has to carry by the half rope not too big load. With the half-rope is climbed with a double strand. When rappelling, the whole length can be used. The rope is used by beginners and advanced climbers. The double strand offers more safety, which is especially important for falls that go over an edge. The half-rope is therefore well suited for difficult fuses in ice-free terrain.

– Twin ropes have only a diameter of seven to eight millimeters. This makes them one of the thinnest ropes available for climbing. The rope is preferably used in the professional field and run as a double strand. The twin rope weighs only 40 grams per meter. Therefore, it is one of the lightweights under the ropes. The weight is perfect for long trips, as the luggage is not weighted many times over. The professional rope is mainly used in difficult terrain: This includes tours in the ice as well as longer routes with temporary backups.

Choose climbing ropes correctly

The Edelrid Cobra 10.3 has a diameter of 10.3 meters. This Single ropefits well in the hand and is durable. By contrast, the Edelrid Karlstein blue is the ideal rope for sport climbing. Because it has a good grip and with its 62 grams per meter it has the optimum weight to take away. Also interesting for beginners is the Edelrid Freedom 9.8. It is smooth and extremely durable. In addition, it is good value for money.