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mattheww
Jan 6, 2013, 9:46 PM
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Registered: Apr 16, 2001
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I have a Blue Water Energizer 10mm rope that i climbed with for a couple years on the weekends. 50/50 sport leads and toprope. Rope still looks good, no fraying, flat spots etc... only slight wear on outer sheath.
My question is... it's been stored in a rope bag in the closet for the past 6 years. I've decided to start climbing again and was wondering if it should be retired due to age...
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mattheww
Jan 6, 2013, 10:04 PM
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Registered: Apr 16, 2001
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Thanks for your response and the links. I feel comfortable using it, since I know what's it's been through and how it's been stored. Just wanted a second opinion...
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ski.ninja
Jan 6, 2013, 10:18 PM
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Given the age and the fact that you've worked it a bit, maybe use it for top-roping and get yourself a shiny new lead line. Does it pass the pinch test?
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mattheww
Jan 7, 2013, 12:07 AM
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Yes, it passes the pinch test. I can easily put my index finger through the loop when it's pinched
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ski.ninja
Jan 7, 2013, 12:36 AM
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mattheww wrote: Yes, it passes the pinch test. I can easily put my index finger through the loop when it's pinched
That's good. Don't lead on it anymore.
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fingerincrevice
Jan 9, 2013, 4:08 AM
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better safe than sorry be careful with it, and inspect as much as possible until it has proven itself. Even then, keep an eye on it ;)
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NCcrew
Jan 9, 2013, 4:41 PM
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I've been lurking for a while, but here is something I wasn't able to find. Can someone explain the pinch test? I have a few older ropes that I have been debating retiring and would appreciate help deciding.
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Timothy.Klein
Jan 29, 2013, 6:16 PM
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Registered: Oct 28, 2012
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Thanks a lot for those links, bearbreeder. I was vaguely aware of the fact that ropes age better than we give them credit for, but it is great to see it spelled out.
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Syd
Jan 30, 2013, 10:23 AM
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Registered: Oct 25, 2012
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Timothy.Klein wrote: Thanks a lot for those links, bearbreeder.
"if you want to break a climbing rope you must cut it over a sharp edge, corrode it with acid"
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caughtinside
Jan 30, 2013, 5:15 PM
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NCcrew wrote: I've been lurking for a while, but here is something I wasn't able to find. Can someone explain the pinch test? I have a few older ropes that I have been debating retiring and would appreciate help deciding.
I don't know if it's an official test or anythign, but if you pinch your rope between thumb and forefinger and it feels really flat or weird compared to other spots on the rope its worth considering chopping or retiring it.
Personally, I typically get these spots about 10-15 from the end of the rope... which works out to a few feet above where I tie in. I'll usually pinch it to feel how it is in the fuzzier spots that develop on the sheath.
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jsunmatthews
Feb 11, 2013, 2:29 AM
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Registered: Nov 18, 2005
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Personally I retire a rope from lead climbing every two years regardless of where it is stored (I climb a lot, but still). You can get a new blue water for $130 if you shop around. If you don't think your life is worth $130......Come on, it's the one piece that isn't redundant, so why risk even a one in a million chance when you can avoid it for less than the average monthly cell phone bill these days?
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redlude97
Feb 11, 2013, 5:21 AM
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jsunmatthews wrote: Personally I retire a rope from lead climbing every two years regardless of where it is stored (I climb a lot, but still). You can get a new blue water for $130 if you shop around. If you don't think your life is worth $130......Come on, it's the one piece that isn't redundant, so why risk even a one in a million chance when you can avoid it for less than the average monthly cell phone bill these days?
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jsunmatthews
Feb 11, 2013, 3:44 PM
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Registered: Nov 18, 2005
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haha, didn't say I get RID of it, just that I stop leading on it. =)
(This post was edited by jsunmatthews on Feb 11, 2013, 3:44 PM)
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