How to Maintain a Climbing Rope

You entrust your rope with your life every time you go climbing, so take good care of it. Here's what you need to know.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Laundry Detergents
• Climbing Ropes
• Cutters

1. Inspect your rope between uses and after any falls by running your fingers over the areas you suspect might be damaged.

2. Cut the rope and throw away the damaged end if the white rope core shows through the colored sheath.

3. Reserve your climbing rope for climbing alone - avoid towing cars or tying down loads with it. A climbing rope is too important for such heavy uses.

4. Store your rope in a dry, dark place. The sun's ultraviolet rays slowly degrade the strength of nylon, so keep the rope out of direct sunlight.

5. Machine-wash your rope when dirty, using cool water and mild soap. Avoid putting it in the dryer; instead, hang it in the shade to dry.

6. Retire any suspect ropes immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• A rope bag or groundsheet will give you a place to uncoil your rope out of the dirt. If you don't have a rope bag, uncoil your rope over a log, rock or pack.
• You need to know the exact history of your rope, so don't loan it to another climber.
• Avoid stepping on your rope (or anyone else's, for that matter) - you'll grind dirt into it and weaken it.
• Contact with battery acid or other corrosive substances instantly ruins your rope. Replace it immediately if you suspect such damage.

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