On your average alpine route, with a little bit of wandering but not too excessive, what do you prefer?
Is the descent by rappel?
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When on a long route I always used to like to use half ropes just because they are light and if I had to bail I already have a second rope with me. As I started to climb with different people I started running into people who just are not as good with rope mangement with two ropes and things slowed down. So now I use a 9.5single and bring along a 7m line if I have to rap or no second if I don't see needing to rappell.
Well, from some of the responses you can gather that part of the answer is "it depends."
And it does, no doubt.
But I usually climb with a single rope - the skinniest single-rated rope I can find - 60 meters long. This is my "standard" rope, that I wear out the quickest and replace most often.
I have other ropes for those exceptions - but I do have a standard rope for a standard day.
normally a skinny single. if there is the possibility of hanging pack over difficult terrain and/or it is a rap off i will also bring a 7mm static tag/rap line.
and careful with doubles on a party of three- make sure you take all bends/edges into consideration seeing as each second is only on ONE 1/2 rope. yes, the rope can take the load but not necessarily the edge wear....esp on hard rock like granite! i seem to remember an accident at cathedral ledge many years ago that was the result of a second taking a fall on a single strand of a 1/2 rope, the rope was pulled tight over a small but sharp ledge and the rope was cut. that being said, i heard all this like quadruple hand, so i've always taken it more as an legend than an accident.....
normally a skinny single. if there is the possibility of hanging pack over difficult terrain and/or it is a rap off i will also bring a 7mm static tag/rap line.
and careful with doubles on a party of three- make sure you take all bends/edges into consideration seeing as each second is only on ONE 1/2 rope. yes, the rope can take the load but not necessarily the edge wear....esp on hard rock like granite! i seem to remember an accident at cathedral ledge many years ago that was the result of a second taking a fall on a single strand of a 1/2 rope, the rope was pulled tight over a small but sharp ledge and the rope was cut. that being said, i heard all this like quadruple hand, so i've always taken it more as an legend than an accident.....
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