Whats the age limit on a climbing line

[dc59222]

assuming that a climbing line has no cuts, scrapes, fraying, or any other obvious external defect, how long should a good line last? I have been using the same line for about a year now and this is the longest I have ever continuously used the same line as all my previous lines have inevitably been nicked or damaged. The line is in good condition and the only wear comes from running the line over natural crotches. I have begun to consider buying a new line just cause it would be nice to have that new rope feel through the friction hitch. What do yall think?

 

[moray]

Only you can judge your own rope. But here's some perspective: my friend the local pro arborist has been working full-time as a solo arborist operation for 34 years. He has never washed a rope in his life, never uses a false crotch of any kind, never worries about his rope getting wet, dirty, covered with tree paint, pine pitch, whatever. He used one single climbing rope of 3-strand polyester for the first 33 years of his career. It belongs in some hall of fame museum. I wish we could do a tensile test on his old rope, now that he has finally retired it.

 

[treevet]

Only you can judge your own rope. But here's some perspective: my friend the local pro arborist has been working full-time as a solo arborist operation for 34 years. He has never washed a rope in his life, never uses a false crotch of any kind, never worries about his rope getting wet, dirty, covered with tree paint, pine pitch, whatever. He used one single climbing rope of 3-strand polyester for the first 33 years of his career. It belongs in some hall of fame museum. I wish we could do a tensile test on his old rope, now that he has finally retired it.

A shock load test prob be more applicable. Line might hold him up for another 33 years, but if he fell while tied in .......? Hall of fame musuem for dumb luck more appropriate. Very cheap or low self esteem the reason, or both?

 

[moray]

Hall of fame musuem for dumb luck more appropriate.

That's what I meant. He never did explain to me why he was so unconcerned by the condition of his rope. But he did let me talk him into getting a new 16 stand climbing line, and he admits that he really likes it.

 

[BobEMoto]

The synthetic materials last a long time, even exposed to weather, so just time shouldn't be a worry. The thing to watch for is damage: visible or hidden. The rock climbing dynamic ropes are rated with number of falls which can cause hidden damage. If there aren't any shock loads it should last as long as you can stand the outside tears. At 7 or 10 years you might want to ask the question again.

 

[beowulf343]

I usually don't consider the age of the rope too much. When it gets to the point where something happened to the rope that causes me to lose confidence in it-then it's time to go new. Have had ropes last me a couple years and have had them last a month.

 

[geofore]

ropes

Rope is cheap when compared to what your life is worth. Why not buy it by the coil like I do and have new rope when you need it? Cut to length and splice the ends. Call me anal but two years is long enough if you use it often. What's wrong with a new rope? You have to work it into shape which takes time but it beats having a rope break at the wrong time.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I would not retire a 1 y/o rope, but would buy a new one for the tallest trees.

It has been years snice I've had only one climbing line.

I have a 200, 150, 120 and 2-60 ft lines in my truck. I like a long line for very tall trees, but hate pulling all that tail through short ones.

 

[Jim1NZ]

5 years. Unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise, or of coarse if its got any form of defect including excessive ware.

 

[HurricaneHunter]

Looks can be deceiving

I saw a photo of the inside of a braided nylon rope under a microscope. (I'll post it if/when I find it.) The dirt/sand/sawdust/contaminants inside the rope had sharp edges and had done considerable internal damage to the rope. The outside of the rope looked good.
When my climbing line gets dirty, I retire it to tag line/ light load lowering line service.
Here's a good reference for rope inspection and retirement.
http://www.samsonrope.com/site_files/Rope_Inspection_&_Retirement.pdf

 

[Stumper]

Only you can judge your own rope. But here's some perspective: my friend the local pro arborist has been working full-time as a solo arborist operation for 34 years. He has never washed a rope in his life, never uses a false crotch of any kind, never worries about his rope getting wet, dirty, covered with tree paint, pine pitch, whatever. He used one single climbing rope of 3-strand polyester for the first 33 years of his career. It belongs in some hall of fame museum. I wish we could do a tensile test on his old rope, now that he has finally retired it.

Moray, Does one leg seem longer than the other? That is probably the one that got pulled. It is technically possible that your guy bought a 3 strand polyester rope in 1974 but I cry foul. In 1974 I had never seen ANY climbing rope other than Manila. The only synthetic 3 strands I had ever seen were Nylon.(and yes there were 3 strand Nylon designated climbing ropes in existence but they were 3/8ths and 7/16ths nylon used by such esoteric types as mountain climbers).

Jim in NZ has given the "industry standard"-Retire 5 years after first putting into service even if no signs of damage. I will confess to climbing on 8 year old Safety Blue....but I am being good and cautious nowadays and have retired old faithful.

 

[Grace Tree]

Moray, Does one leg seem longer than the other? That is probably the one that got pulled..

That's funny Stumper and I'd guess it to be 100% accurate.
Phil

 

[beowulf343]

When my climbing line gets dirty, I retire it to tag line/ light load lowering line service.

Wow, what is your definition of dirty-a day climbing norways in the rain will dirty a rope up pretty quick but there will be nothing wrong with it.

 

[ropensaddle]

Depends alot on the climber his storing of rope
the way he treats his gear how much he actually is
using the rope. I will say it is best to retire rope before
it fails and think that is sound advise. I have a rope I
will climb with that is ten years old but has been stored
in a dry location away from chemicals and sharp objects.
It is a retired rope but if I was in a tight I would not be
scared to use it.

 

[moray]

Limping

Moray, Does one leg seem longer than the other? That is probably the one that got pulled. It is technically possible that your guy bought a 3 strand polyester rope in 1974 but I cry foul. In 1974 I had never seen ANY climbing rope other than Manila. The only synthetic 3 strands I had ever seen were Nylon.(and yes there were 3 strand Nylon designated climbing ropes in existence but they were 3/8ths and 7/16ths nylon used by such esoteric types as mountain climbers).

Hmmm...Wondered where that limp came from. I thought I could quickly look up the origin of polyester rope on the Web, but it doesn't just jump out at you. Polyester itself was common before 1974; mountains of the fiber were being manufactured for clothing by the 1960's. An early form of 3-strand nylon Goldline was used by the military during WWII. There was no technical hurdle to making 3-strand polyester in the 1970's, but I can't find an online source that says anyone did.

But my friend is sure his memory isn't faulty, even if his rope care procedures are. When I called him tonight and told him you guys were heaping scorn on his pathetic little story, he rose up on his dignity and said he can remember quite well when he made the transition from manila to polyester. Apparently it was just when he left working for some tree company in Portland to start off on his own. No later than 1973, he says. Bought it from some travelling company salesman representing a big marine supply house. Hmmm... maybe he actually could remember this if it was the only climbing line purchase he ever made...

Funny position to be in, vigorously defending a story that, if true, shows you are a fool, but if false, shows you are a liar!

 

[HurricaneHunter]

Wow, what is your definition of dirty-a day climbing norways in the rain will dirty a rope up pretty quick but there will be nothing wrong with it.

Good question. Dirty rope, to me, is when the interior of the rope has accumulated enough dirt and sand that it is noticeable and changes the texture of the rope to a soft, spongy feel. The soil in Georgia is a red clay and sand mixture that is rough on ropes. Also, a groundman that drags ropes through the dirt and sand hastens their demise.
Best to you. Good luck.

 

[Timberhauler]

Provided there are no accidents,I replace my climbing line every year and use the old one for a tag line or lowering small limbs..Maybe this is too much,but that's just me

 

[SRT-Tech]

Only you can judge your own rope. But here's some perspective: my friend the local pro arborist has been working full-time as a solo arborist operation for 34 years. He has never washed a rope in his life, never uses a false crotch of any kind, never worries about his rope getting wet, dirty, covered with tree paint, pine pitch, whatever. He used one single climbing rope of 3-strand polyester for the first 33 years of his career. It belongs in some hall of fame museum. I wish we could do a tensile test on his old rope, now that he has finally retired it.

no offence to your friend, but not caring for your rope is sheer stupidity. Just because he never had an issue with that rope, does'nt mean that this is an acceptable practice or a safe one. Its a LIFE LINE, not a utility or truck tarp rope and should be treated and cared for as a LIFELINE. This means not letting your ropes lie in the dirt (use a tarp or ropebag), not letting chemicals (paint, gas etc) soak into the rope, regular washings with an APPROVED rope cleaner (lifeline cleaner), keeping a rope log of the ropes usage, and having a least a bit of IQ to klnow when to retire a rope.



PS: i climbed a tree today for an hour on a brand new rope 120' length..........just to give you an idea of how much dirt and grit a rope picks up, i washed it (i wanted the waxy coating gone) after in a sink with LifeLine cleaner, a CMC rope washer and tepid water. After rinsing and pouring the water thru a coffee filter, i had about 3 cups of fine sharp edged grit. I imagine your friends rope if actually washed properly today, would yield enough grit to build a dam.........

just saying...

 

[moray]

would yield enough grit to build a dam.........

That's very funny, SRT. And probably not far off.

After rinsing and pouring the water thru a coffee filter, i had about 3 cups of fine sharp edged grit.

Hmmm... You're s'posed to climb the part of the tree above the ground.

 

[mckeetree]

I buy arborplex 600 feet at at a time and my guys replace thier climbing lines about every four or five months. We use the old lines for tag lines.