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Climbing Rope Care and Maintenance
by Lucas McDevitt
We all know how vital ropes are in the climbing world; without such, we wouldn’t be able to explore the taller walls and enjoy the higher world of climbing that we all know and love. However, when should we trust a rope and when should we leave it to rest? There are many different ideas on when and how long a rope is usable but the general consensus in the climbing community is no longer than 10 years no matter the wear. Montana Alpine Guides and Mammut North America provide a table to help rope users better understand their rope wear and longevity of rope life:
| Frequency of use | Approximate life span |
|---|---|
| Never used | 10 years maximum |
| Rarely used: twice per year | Up to 7 years |
| Occasionally used: once per month | Up to 5 years |
| Regularly used: several times per month | Up to 3 years |
| Frequently used: each week | Up to 1 year |
| Constantly used: almost daily | Less than 1 year |
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Independent of the frequency of use, ropes should also be retired from climbing if one of the following has occurred:
- The rope came in contact with chemicals, particularly acids.
- The sheath is damaged and the core is visible.
- The sheath is extremely worn, or particularly fuzzy.
- The sheath has slipped noticeably
- Strong deformations are present (stiffness, nicks, sponginess).
- The rope was subjected to extreme loads (e.g. heavy falls, clearly over fall factor 1).
- The rope is extremely dirty (grease, oil, tar).
- Heat, abrasion, or friction burns have caused damage.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]For other information and understanding on rope wear and longevity please direct to the following: When to Replace Your Climbing Rope and When to Retire A Climbing Rope.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
