Climbing ropes are not all made the same. Different types of ropes are suited to certain climbing conditions and techniques, and it is worth taking the time to learn something about what types of ropes are available and their uses. Working with the right type of rope will make for a safer, easier and more enjoyable climbing experience.
Characteristics
Different ropes have different characteristics. Some are designed to be very stretchy and absorb the shock of a fall. These are called "dynamic" ropes. "Static" ropes stretch very little and are frequently used for rappelling, rope ascension or rescue work. Ropes may also be either more or less supple, referring to their level of stiffness or flexibility.
Construction
Climbing ropes are usually constructed of an inner multistrand core that provides strength and absorbs shock effectively. The core is then covered with a braided sheath that protects the core from dirt and abrasion. It also helps to strengthen the rope. This type of construction is often referred to as "kernmantle." Ropes are often made in different colors to help climbers tell which rope is which.
Types
Climbing ropes come in three basic varieties: the single rope, the twin rope and the half rope, also known as the double rope. Single ropes are commonly used in single line work for a range of conditions. Twin ropes are designed to work only in pairs, doing the same work as in the single ropes, but with a certain amount of redundancy and safety. For strength, half ropes fall somewhere between single and twin ropes. They are sometimes used singly, but are more frequently doubled or used in pairs, particularly for long rappels.
Weight
Ropes also come in different weights. As the name implies, a heavier workhorse rope will hold up under a lot of use and even abuse. Thicker than most ropes, workhorse ropes can take a lot of punishment and generally have higher fall ratings. An all-around rope is the predominant rope for climbing. Neither too light nor too heavy, these ropes are useful in a range of situations. Skinny ropes are light and easy to carry; however, their thinner diameter makes them more likely to cut and more difficult to catch a fall.
Dimensions
Typically, climbing ropes are 60 meters in length, although they can range from 30 and 80 meters. Ropes can be thin, down to a 7 to 8 mm diameter for twin ropes or 8 to 9 mm for half ropes. Single ropes can vary from 8.9 and 9.4 mm for skinny single ropes, 9.5 to 10 mm for all-around single ropes and 10 to 11 mm for workhorse single ropes. Static ropes run between 9 and 13 mm.
Rating
The Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme, or UIAA, is the international organization that sets safety standards for climbing and mountaineering. Ropes are rated for the number of laboratory-based falls the rope can withstand and the impact force exerted on each fall. Ropes are also tested for how much they stretch, both with a static weight and as a result of a fall. These ratings help climbers and mountaineers to determine which rope is best for any given application.
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