What should I look for when buying a rope for the first time? There is lots of cheap rope on the Internet that is like 100'. Should I trust that kind of rope? Should I try to find longer ones even though I'll only need a short one for awhile? Some ropes say # of falls. What is that? And yeah I'm a begginner so I have no idea about ropes. Just wanna start being safer with some scary bouldering.

Well yeah scary bouldering for me ad my little group is basically the higher ones with moves that would make us fall backwards if we fell. I have already looked into learning about anchors and how that all works. I'm definetly not gonna just take dumb risks by going out there without knowing what I'm doing. If there is already a loop thing (the name escapes me I'm sorry) bolted in do we need to make an anchor or will that be enough to top rope? If by bouldering mats u mean crash pad Im not sure I wanna go that route. I saw a pretty expensive one at a sun and ski and it didn't look like it would do much more than save our feet from the rocks below. Probably wouldn't help from a fall from the things I've climbed and the scarier ones I want to climb.

Well yeah scary bouldering for me ad my little group is basically the higher ones with moves that would make us fall backwards if we fell.

I have already looked into learning about anchors and how that all works. I'm definetly not gonna just take dumb risks by going out there without knowing what I'm doing. If there is already a loop thing (the name escapes me I'm sorry) bolted in do we need to make an anchor or will that be enough to top rope?

If by bouldering mats u mean crash pad Im not sure I wanna go that route. I saw a pretty expensive one at a sun and ski and it didn't look like it would do much more than save our feet from the rocks below. Probably wouldn't help from a fall from the things I've climbed and the scarier ones I want to climb.

Ok I see the general consensus is to have an experienced climber help me. I definetly want that too but can't seem to find one. I haven't bought anything outside of chalk and shoes yet so don't worry about me trying to do it myself haha. I guess the loop thing is just a top rope anchor bolted deep in the rock. I figure I'm supposed to put the top through it. Or maybe a "quick draw". No freaking clue what I'm talking about haha. Yeah I have climbed higher than i feel safe jumping down from. Not smart I know. There's just nothing but highball stuff where I live. When I said falling back I meant on my back. And not from like 10 feet. More like 15-22 feet. I just don't wanna waste money on a pad if I could spend it on a rope. But yeah I'm not buying anything really until I know how to do things safely especially with anchors. Thanks for everyones help so far.

Just one more note - if you don't feel safe going to the top, you don't have to take the problem to the top. Several of my local bouldering areas are actually cliffs that turn to dirty choss halfway up or (in one case) are illegal to use ropes or gear on. So we go as high as is resonable and then either downclimb if an easier route is possible or drop off.

Joe didn't mean to be rude, and he certainly doesn't think that he is a genius (in fact he plays the "I am not a genius" card fairly often). He just worded it wierd, don't take offense.


Where are you at that you can't meet any experienced climbers locally?


As for the rundown of ropes, don't buy anything that isn't from a climbing shop. I guess that is pretty obvious, but there you go. Whatever you get just make sure it is a single rope. The brand etc. doesn't matter here. You won't be needing a dry treated rope. A thicker rope will generally have better durability, but will weigh more and be more, well, fat. Fat in the device, giant knots, etc.etc. But that doesn't really matter on top rope, so just get whatever is cheapest.
Singles have this symbol on the tape on the ends of the rope:
[image]http://www.outside.co.uk/images/general/singlerope.gif[/image]


Make sure it has that one and not one of these:
[image]http://www.outside.co.uk/images/general/twinrope.gif[/image]
[image]http://www.outside.co.uk/images/general/halfrope.gif[/image]

Ropes with these two markings are not meant to be used alone, they are made to be used in pairs. They have a lot more stretch then single ropes, to the point where you can hit the ground on rope stretch on TR.

Chances are, once you start learning how to rig TR's from someone, sport climbing isn't too far behind. Try to judge how soon you think you will be leading routes, and decide if you are going to get a long rope (50/60m) tht will allow that, or if you are going to get a rope that is only as tall as your TR crag (if a rope that short is available, many stores only sell 50/60/70 lengths).

Sorry we all gave advice that didn't answer your question, we all just get scared for peoples safety when they start asking what rope to get when they have literally no idea about anchors. We don't want anyone to get hurt, know what I mean?

thats the damn nicest post I've seen in a while. And I second the statement.

Ok I see the general consensus is to have an experienced climber help me. I definetly want that too but can't seem to find one. I haven't bought anything outside of chalk and shoes yet so don't worry about me trying to do it myself haha. I guess the loop thing is just a top rope anchor bolted deep in the rock. I figure I'm supposed to put the top through it. Or maybe a "quick draw". No freaking clue what I'm talking about haha. Yeah I have climbed higher than i feel safe jumping down from. Not smart I know. There's just nothing but highball stuff where I live. When I said falling back I meant on my back. And not from like 10 feet. More like 15-22 feet. I just don't wanna waste money on a pad if I could spend it on a rope. But yeah I'm not buying anything really until I know how to do things safely especially with anchors. Thanks for everyones help so far.

Ok I see the general consensus is to have an experienced climber help me. I definetly want that too but can't seem to find one. I haven't bought anything outside of chalk and shoes yet so don't worry about me trying to do it myself haha. I guess the loop thing is just a top rope anchor bolted deep in the rock. I figure I'm supposed to put the top through it. Or maybe a "quick draw". No freaking clue what I'm talking about haha. Yeah I have climbed higher than i feel safe jumping down from. Not smart I know. There's just nothing but highball stuff where I live. When I said falling back I meant on my back. And not from like 10 feet. More like 15-22 feet. I just don't wanna waste money on a pad if I could spend it on a rope. But yeah I'm not buying anything really until I know how to do things safely especially with anchors. Thanks for everyones help so far.

Technology? Well that's all you had to say. We simpletens are dumb. Yep we are dumb. Since technology is now in the picture I could prolly dive head first from 50 feet up on a crash pad. Falling on my back from only 25 feet should be cake. Lisa Rands was a little shaken up from a fall from 25 feet up landing on her feet on 2 crash pads. They prolly didn't have your wonderful technology.

So it's a top ropeing wall? Then why are u still telling me to get a crash pad? It's soooo frustrating hearing someone who has more experience than you talk like a complete moron. I feel like everyone up until you have had good intentions with their advice. You want me to buy some stupid crash pad that isn't going to keep me or my climbing partners (such as my 15 year old little brother) remotely safe. Yes I understand I need anchors and mentors and a whole bunch of crap. That's not what this forum is about. You remind me of all the older stuck up architecture students who tells me how bad my work is just to try to keep their ego inflated and so they can feel superior at something in their pathetic lives. All I really wanted to know was some info about ropes. The best advice I got was to go check out a different section of this website. Every single question I had was answered there. I had forgotten why I hate using forums. Thank you for reminding me.