Had a climbing line snap on me yesterday during a deadwood removal

It was a 5-year-old line I thought had more life, but the core was shot. Anyone have a good rule of thumb for when to retire a rope?

3 comments

3 Comments

blair_webb16d ago

Check your rope's core every few months by bending it sharply. If you see fuzzy white fibers poking through, that sheath is hiding a damaged core. What's your inspection routine like these days?

the_spencer16d ago

Yeah, that fuzzy core is a scary sight.

daniel_martin16d ago

My old boss in Colorado swore by a 3-year max for any work line, no matter how it looks. That fuzzy core check misses the slow breakdown from sun and grit.