Page 62 - Duane Raleigh - Knots Ropes for Climbers

thicker, more durable 10-and 11-millimeter ropes. Thick ropes are also a wise choice for beginners,
who are

notoriously hard on their ropes, and for sport climbers who want a sturdy "work" rope.

All single ropes have the number 1, surrounded by a circle, on the rope's whipped ends.

Double ropes are those that you must use in pairs, although you don't need to clip every rope through
every point of protection. Rather, you can alternate clipping the ropes, an appreciated feature that
reduces rope on winding and traversing routes. You'll find double ropes in the 8- to 9-millimeter

range. Double ropes are ideal for ice, alpine, and

Page 64

SINGLE ROPE

1/2

mountaineering, where you typically need two ropes to rappel the route and carrying two heavy single
ropes doesn't make sense. Double ropes are also popular for climbs with loose or sharp rock, where
the risk of cutting a rope is high. All double ropes have the number 1/2, surrounded by a circle, on the
rope's whipped ends.

Twin ropes are the most dysfunctional of the lot, and I've never been able to rationalize a place for
them. These 7- to 9-millimeter lines are used in pairs like double ropes but differ drastically, as both

strands must be clipped to every point of protection. In my eyes, clipping both ropes robs them of the