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drguitarum2005
Jun 6, 2005, 5:57 PM
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Not taking price into consideration at ALL, I have come across a prodeal (where I work) for a rope company that is way too good to pass up even though I don't climb outdoors yet. I plan to some this summr but nothing too major like all the way up a mountain. I am going with a 10.5 mm rope but was wondering about the length. I can get any 50-70m rope for the exact same price so I was thinking I may as well do the 70 if it's the same price. But I'm also thinking that may just be too big and too heavy for what I do and was thinking about cutting back to a 60. Does anyone have any thoughts? Thank you!
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coldclimb
Jun 6, 2005, 6:05 PM
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I'd recommend 60m. It's pretty much standard. Long enough for most of the routes in the world, and short enough that you won't want to destroy it whenever you coil it. ;)
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pbjosh
Jun 6, 2005, 6:08 PM
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Get the 70m if it's the same price. If you're not carrying it into the mountains you don't care about the extra 1.25 lbs weight. And when the ends fuzz and get soft from use (usually the first places to wear) you can cut 15' off each end and still have a 60m rope.
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cchildre
Jun 6, 2005, 6:26 PM
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In reply to: Get the 70m if it's the same price. If you're not carrying it into the mountains you don't care about the extra 1.25 lbs weight. And when the ends fuzz and get soft from use (usually the first places to wear) you can cut 15' off each end and still have a 60m rope. I will 2nd this and add that you have more options with the 70, on multipitch routes you can link some pitches together and have more time climbing than building anchors and switching leads, and in places like Potrero Mexico, many of the new sport routes there are 110 feet long and you need a 70 to lower off. Just think about it. I have not regretted my 70 purchase ever. The extra weight is negligble, unless you carry a 50 regularly.
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ddriver
Jun 6, 2005, 6:27 PM
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I have about a dozen working ropes, including a 60-m 10.5. Its a fairly bulky rope and I only use it when I'm doing single pitch routes and then only when I know the routes are short enough that I won't need a second rope to descend. Otherwise I use some combination of double 50s or 55s because of the greater versatility and less bulk. For a beginner, I wouldn't consider a 70-m rope unless you feel sure you'll be doing mostly sport climbing or climbing at small crags. You probably shouldn't anticipate leading 60-70 meter length pitches at this point in the game.
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ddriver
Jun 6, 2005, 6:30 PM
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I have about a dozen working ropes, including a 60-m 10.5. Its a fairly bulky rope and I only use it when I'm doing single pitch routes and then only when I know the routes are short enough that I won't need a second rope to descend. Otherwise I use some combination of double 50s or 55s because of the greater versatility and less bulk. For a beginner, I wouldn't consider a 70-m rope unless you feel sure you'll be doing mostly sport climbing or climbing at small crags. You probably shouldn't anticipate leading 60-70 meter length pitches at this point in the game.
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drguitarum2005
Jun 6, 2005, 6:34 PM
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The kind of climbing I will be doing will be pretty basic this summer seeing as how I've only climbed indoors so far. If you all are familiar with Enchanted Rock and the Austin Greenbelt and Rimers (I think I spelled it wrong there) all around the Austin, TX area, that's the kind of stuff I will be doing.
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caughtinside
Jun 6, 2005, 6:38 PM
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Seeing as how you've never climbed outside, I'd suggest the 60m. You won't need the 70 starting out, and the extra rope will just be an annoyance of weight and bulk. Also, if you can do most climbs in your area on a 50, you can do what pbjosh suggested and cut your 60 down to a 50 when the ends get fuzzy.
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j_ung
Jun 6, 2005, 6:46 PM
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I'm gonna suggest you hit up the 70m. You probably won't ever need it all, but if you don't mind schlepping an extra pound or two when you go out, why not get more bang for your buck?
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asandh
Jun 6, 2005, 6:50 PM
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:)
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pbjosh
Jun 6, 2005, 7:12 PM
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In reply to: Like Josh said, if the hike is short and the price is the same, may as well get a 70m rope so you can cut off the ends as it goes bad. However, I'd like to caution you about a serious issue male climbers seem to have with "pe ... oops I mean ... rope size". Bigger isn't always better. I don't know of any area where a 70 is mandatory, and there are still lots of places you can go where a 50 is fine. I suppose that 20 years from now, technology will have created 3000 ft long 2mm ropes so we can do El Cap in one pitch. But for now it really Depends where YOU climb. :) There may not be any areas where a 70m is mandatory, but there are plenty of areas that have enough single pitch routes that are between 30-35m that it gets really nice. Some W Coast areas where a 70 is super handy include Indian Creek, Owen's River Gorge, Clark Mountain and the Riverside Quarry. Granted Clark Mtn isn't a very high traffic area, but just pointing out that there are enough places that benefit from a 70m, that I personally try to buy mostly 70m ropes now-a-days. At some European crags, there is a growing trend towards pitches that require a 70 or even an 80 to lower off. Though I still have a 50x10.5 for jtree and the like, some chopped up pieces of rope for woodson, and 60m doubles for ice, etc.
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asandh
Jun 6, 2005, 7:23 PM
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:)
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sumo
Jun 6, 2005, 7:28 PM
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perhaps this thread would be useful http://www.rockclimbing.com/...iewtopic.php?t=89352 http://www.rockclimbing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=89352 (if my link didn't work) I just bought a mammut infinity 9.6 x 60 thinking about getting a 9.9 x 70 ? enjoy s
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drguitarum2005
Jun 6, 2005, 7:40 PM
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In all honesty, a 60 or even 50 would probably be perfectly fine for the climbs I am planning on doing this summer, however, if it's all the exact same price, some people brought up good points-i can cut the ends uff when/if they fray. I don't mind the extra weight since I won't be lugging it up any huge hikes with me as I can forsee. I was told my the guys I work with that 10 or 10.5 should be good for an outdoor beginner, do you all agree? Don't wanna go too thin or anything.
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pbjosh
Jun 6, 2005, 7:56 PM
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In reply to: I have enough trouble getting my 60 all tangled up. Would rather use a lead line that's "just long enough" for the route and bring a 7-8 mm trail line for the rap worries. Most of the areas I mentioned are single pitch sport climbing (Indian Creek is single pitch trad to bolted belays, so similar). I'm lazy and don't want to carry a 2nd rope / lower line, and certainly not on fairly hard pitches, so I like the 70m. Really though any rope length works fine if you know what you're doing with it. For a beginner a 60 may be easier to deal with but the 70 for the same price is a great offer and lets them keep using the rope longer after they fuzz it up nicely. For the original poster, concering diameter - 10 to 10.5 is perfect for starting out, and in my opinion, perfect for 95% of all situations. I generally shop based on price and go for 10-10.3mm-ish ropes because they last longer. I've never had rope weight be an issue for me on long / hard sport pitches, but I don't think I'd try using an 11 either heh. josh
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scuclimber
Jun 7, 2005, 1:46 AM
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Hey dude, get the 70M Sharp. You won't be sorry. Yes, I work at REI too. Cheers, Colin
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ctardi
Jun 7, 2005, 4:37 AM
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I woudl get the 70, if you don't like it, lop 10 off, then you will have a 60. Still don't like it, lop 10 more off and have a 50.
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kel_e
Jun 7, 2005, 4:44 AM
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yea dude, get the 70! As has already been mentioned, you will increasingly see single pitch sport routes up to 35m, so having the 70 will be advantageous as they become more common. cheers.
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mgoodro
Jun 9, 2005, 4:46 PM
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I've never regretted getting a 70, even paying extra for it. The only time it feels longer (in a bad way) is when I'm coiling it.
In reply to: I was told my the guys I work with that 10 or 10.5 should be good for an outdoor beginner, do you all agree? 10-10.5 is ideal for a beginner to all-around rope IMO. I use a 10.1 and I think it's perfect.
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acrackmonger
Jun 10, 2005, 12:47 AM
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drguitarum2005. Have been climbing the areas you mentioned for 25 yrs. A 60 mtr rope 10.5 should serve you well in the area. Reimers and the Greenbelt are both short and a 60 will be plenty long. You can cut 15 fuzzy feet off your 60 M and still have a good Reimers and GB rope. Enchanted Rock has very few climbs that you cannot rap off of or TR with a 60 meter (exceptions being Devils Slide and some of the longer backside routes). You will need extra long webbing to set up some of the ER routes anyway. If you progress to some of the longer Mexico routes then you might consider investing in 60 M twin ropes. Still a single 60 M will let you link up most of the multipitch routes in Mex.(most pitches are 100 ft or so) and longer raps are somewhat problematic as the rope tends to get hung up in the shrubbery. Thats my two cents worth. BKW
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jammer
Jun 10, 2005, 1:09 AM
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70 meters ... rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it! The extra weight will do your legs good. :wink:
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