Page 67 - Duane Raleigh - Knots Ropes for Climbers

Repeat

An unpadded rope can become

damaged and unsafe when sawed

over a rough edge.

A padded rope.

Page 70

Rope tarp.

as necessary, which will be often if you treat your rope to the Munter Hitch or Lap Coil.

Your rope will naturally soften as it breaks in, but you must be on guard, as many evils will conspire
to destroy it. The common foils are sharp rock, dirt, ultraviolet (UV) light, and certain chemicals.

Avoid sharp rock by picking a line that lets the rope track away from the hungry edges. When this isn't
possible, use runners to draw the rope away from edges. Be especially careful when you are ' fixing"
a rope or rigging it for a top rope.

Climbers have died because of the sawing action of a loaded rope. Pad, tape over, or hammer down
any sharp or rough spots the rope might rub over. And remember, it

doesn't take much to cut a loaded rope.

Dirt, besides griming up your hands and clothes, causes internal abrasion in your rope.

Don't throw your rope on the ground, and don't step on it. Use a rope tarp to keep your rope as clean
as possible. Many models of rope tarps are available; the best roll up, burrito-style, and have padded
carrying straps. Rope bags are doubly good, as they not only keep the rope clean, but because you

keep the rope flaked loose inside them, they also eliminate coiling, and thus kinking, the rope.

Most climbers needn't worry about the degrading effects of UV light, simply because their ropes are
never in the sun long enough to hurt them. Still, you can't be too careful. Store your rope in the shade,
and use any sun-bleached fixed rope with extreme caution.