Have you thought “what is the lightest or best rope size for a particular climb”? Here are some suggestions for different rope sizes and ways to use them for reducing weight.
Also, we have recently added Monster Ropes from Metolius to our selection. We find them to be a great blend of durability and weight. They also make one of the lightest HALF and TWIN ropes. Ropes rated both HALF and TWIN offer some great options for many different types of climbs and situations.
5mm TECH CORD X 60m – STRONG & LIGHT Tag Line (rappel rope)
When considering ropes one of the best ways to be sure you are comparing apples to apples is grams per meter. Why?? Well, it is harder to fudge the weight than the diameter. For example manufacturer “A” will sell a 9.9mm single at 64g/m and manufacturer “B” will market a 9.7mm single at 64g/m. So where is the difference? By using the grams per meter you can cut through some of the fog and compare ropes across manufacturers better. The UIAA has more information about ropes.
ROPE WEIGHTS
60m – Big Wall Extreme SINGLE ROPE (80 grams per meter) – 10 lbs. 9oz.
60m – Heavy SINGLE ROPE (73g) – 9lbs. 10.5oz.
60m – Medium SINGLE ROPE (64g) – 8 lbs. 9oz.
60m – Light SINGLE ROPE (52g) – 6 lbs. 15.4oz.
60m – Heavy HALF ROPE (48g) – 6 lbs. 6.8oz.
60m – Light HALF ROPE & TWIN ROPE (38g) – 5 lbs. 1.4oz.
30M – Light SINGLE ROPE (52g) – 3 lbs. 7.7oz.
60m – 5mm TECH CORD (23g) – 3 lbs. 2oz.
30m – 5mm TECH CORD (23g) - 1 lb. 9oz.
ROPES FOR ROCK
One 30m Single Rope (52g): 3 lb. 7.7oz. – 15m (49’) rappels – 30m (98’) leads – Supports two climbers on 5th class rock, or potentially three climbers on less difficult terrain.
One 30m Light Single Rope (52g), and one 30m Tech Cord(23g): 5 lbs. 1oz. – 30m (98’) rappels - 30m (98’) leads. Supports two climbers on 5th class rock, or potentially three climbers on less difficult terrain – Tech Cord available for pack hauling.
One 60m Light Half & Twin Rope (38g): – 5 lbs. 1.4oz. – 30m (98’) rappels - 30m (98’) leads with two, or three climbers – Potential for pack hauling with two climbers – Ability to protect traverses for leader and one second.
One 60m Light Single Rope (52g): 6 lbs. 15.4oz. – 30m (98’) rappels – 60m (196’) leads with two climbers, or 30m (98’) leads with three climbers.
One 60m Light Single Rope (52g), and one 60m Tech Cord(23g): 10 lbs. 1.4oz. - 60m (196’) rappels - 60m (196’) leads on 5th class rock for two climbers – Can do 30m (98’) leads on 5th class rock with three climbers, or 60m (196’) leads on less difficult terrain for three climbers – Tech Cord available for pack hauling.
Two 60m Light Half & Twin Ropes (38g): 10 lbs. 2.8oz. – 60m (196’) rappels – 60m (196’) leads with two, or three climbers – Potential for pack hauling with two climbers – Ability to protect traverses.
Two 60m Heavy Half Ropes (48g): 12 lbs. 13.6oz. – 60m (196’) rappels – 60m (196’) leads with two, or three climbers – Potential for pack hauling with two climbers – Ability to protect traverses.
