11.2mm Enduro

 

Product Description

11 mm EnduroTM:

The 11 mm Enduro is our most rugged and durable rope. Its 11 mm size is well suited as a first-time rope for entry level climbers. Its extreme durability adds an added level of safety for big wall climbing, climbing classes, guiding, or working sport routes.

Dynamic Rope Specifications:

UIAA Tested as: A SINGLE rope.

Falling weight: 80kg

Weight per meter: 77g

Maximum Impact Force: 9.4kN

UIAA Falls Survived: 12

80kg Static Elongation: 5.7%

Your climbing rope is the single most important piece of gear you own. As such, it must be able to withstand incredible abuse in the way of abrasion (belaying and rappelling), adverse conditions (freezing and thawing), and exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), and still be able to protect you in the event of a fall. Not only must it possess the dynamic energy-absorbing qualities needed to protect you in the event of a fall, but also must remain relatively static when hauling and rappelling. In addition to possessing the divergent qualities needed to fulfill these requirements, a rope must also be tough and durable.

BlueWater Slimline ropes fulfill all of these requirements by providing individual models, each designed to give outstanding performance in their own applications. This allows a climber to use a different rope for each specific application.
Rope Construction

BlueWater climbing ropes use kernmantle construction. A kernmantle rope consists of a twisted core (kern) with a sheath (mantle) braided around it. The unique blend of our core and sheath construction as well as the dynamic characteristics of the nylon yarns used allows BlueWater dynamic ropes to elongate and absorb the energy of a fall. The rope's sheath is braided tightly around the core to protect it from abrasion. This also gives it a surface texture that is easy to handle and runs smoothly through karabiners and across rock. This combination of core and sheath construction creates the balance of strength, abrasion resistance, and dynamic load absorbing ability necessary to meet the demands of today's high performance climbing.

Sheath Construction A climbing rope's sheath can be made in different thicknesses and braid patterns to achieve desired durability and handling characteristics. Four-ply yarns (more strands of nylon) are used in a rope's sheath whenever greater durability and increased abrasion resistance are needed. Three-ply yarns are used when a lighter weight rope is desired. We use 48-carrier braiders to make dynamic ropes because they are best suited for making the tightly braided sheath needed on a dynamic rope. A tight sheath creates a firmer, more durable rope. A loose sheath makes a rope more flexible but also less abrasion resistant.

Tightly braided "double-pick" sheaths slip very little on the core and add firmness to the overall flex of a climbing rope. "Single-pick" braid patterns create a smooth outer finish that slides easily through karabiners and over rock.

Core Construction BlueWater dynamic rope cores use a combination of clockwise and counter clockwise twisted core bundles. These S and Z twist core bundles elongate to allow the rope to absorb the energy of a falling climber and contribute to minimizing excessive spinning when Jumaring or using the rope to lower or rappel.

Before twisted core technology was developed, climbing ropes used braided cores. Braided cores were eventually found to be less efficient in energy absorption than the newer twisted cores, and therefore less durable. Braided cores can have an initially low impact force. However, with each successive fall, the impact force increases dramatically. BlueWater's twisted cores maintain a low impact force throughout the life of the rope. Although both core styles are acceptable, ropes with the more technologically advanced twisted cores are safer and have a longer life.

The majority of the energy of a fall is absorbed by the core of the rope; however, the sheath plays a part as well. The mechanical action of the core strands untwisting, the nylon fibers stretching and the core moving within the sheath are all things that contribute to a rope's ability to absorb safely the energy of a fall.

Features

UIAA Certification

Any climbing rope carrying this certification meets all the minimum safety standards set by the UIAA (Union Internationale Des Association D'Apinisme). All ropes must exhibit less than 12 kN impact force and hold at least five test falls without breaking in order to meet the minimum UIAA standard.

Single and Twin rope test fall:

80 kg/176 lbs. 4.8 m/16.5' fall 2.5 m/8.25' of rope.

Half rope test fall:

55 kg/121 lbs. 4.8 m/16.5' fall 2.5 m/8.25' of rope.

Impact Force Probably the most important single statistic on the hang tag, this figure is an accurate indication of how much force a rope is able to absorb. Since Impact Force is the maximum load transmitted to the climber and his protection, the lower this number, the better. The UIAA standard for maximum impact force, measured on the first test drop, is 12 kN (2640 lbs.) for a single rope and 8 kN (1760 lbs.) for half ropes. In the UIAA test a rope may stretch up to 45% of its total length to absorb this force.

80 kg Static Elongation This is the percentage of a rope's length it will stretch when subjected to static loading. In the UIAA test, an 80 kg (176 lbs.) weight is hung from one meter of rope. The percentage of rope stretch gives an indication of how much the rope will stretch in a static loading situation (rappelling, lowering or Jumaring). The maximum static load stretch allowed by the UIAA is 8% for single ropes and 10% for half ropes.

Falls Held In the UIAA test, an 80 kg weight is dropped 5 m on 2.8 m of rope repeatedly at five minute intervals until the rope breaks. To meet the UIAA standard a rope must survive a minimum of five test falls. This test is a factor 1.78 fall, simulating a short, severe climbing fall. It represents a theoretical "worst case" fall combining impact forces with a static belay and the effect of a standard karabiner edge. Since all ropes carrying the UIAA mark are tested the same, this number (UIAA Test Falls Held) indicates a performance comparison that can be made between different climbing ropes.

Actual climbing falls taken will most likely not be as severe as the UIAA test fall, so the number of UIAA falls held does not necessarily indicate the time at which a rope needs to be retired.

The Fall Factor is a number that can be determined theoretically; but, because of the dynamics of the many different variables that affect an actual climbing situation, it is difficult to determine accurately in a real life climbing fall. The formula to determine fall factors is the distance of the fall, divided by the amount of rope out from the belay.


The pattern of a bi-color rope changes to identify easily the center point of a rope. The bi-color pattern is available only in the 11 mm Enduro.

Dynamic Rope Care

Ropes can be damaged in many ways. Rock is abrasive and often has sharp edges to which a climbing rope is constantly being exposed. Any time a rope is under a load it will cut or abrade more easily than when it is not. Care must be taken to use suitable length runners to rig ropes so as to avoid contact with sharp edges on the rock, the inside edges of karabiner gates or dragging sideways over rough surfaces under tension to prevent damage by cutting or abrasion.

Repeated falls over a karabiner such as commonly occur in sport climbing will also contribute to wearing out a rope. With these falls continually taken at the same spot, the rope will quickly show wear to both the sheath and core. Abrasion to the sheath, the sheath being pushed along the core and core strands stretching or breaking are all examples of the kind of wear a rope subjected to these conditions will exhibit.

The tighter radius a rope is bent around, the more wear a rope will sustain. Smaller radius karabiners and figure eights are harder on ropes than larger radius ones. A rappel rack with brake bars utilizes the greatest amount of friction with a minimum of bending the rope around a radius and causes the least amount of wear on a rope.

Heat generated from friction created when rappelling or lowering, can cause glazing and abrasion to the sheath of a rope as well. Rappelling should always be done slowly and in control to prevent this kind of damage from occurring.

It is important to realize that no climbing rope will last forever even when subjected to normal use. Just as climbing shoes eventually wear out, so will a climbing rope. Careful handling and attention as well as recording a rope's history in the BlueWater Climbing Journal will help determine when it is time to retire a rope.

Inspect your rope regularly It is important to inspect your rope before and after each use. It is the user's responsibility to know the history of his/her rope and to make the decision as to when the rope should be retired.

Sheath damage is the most common cause for early rope retirement. Special care should be taken to protect your rope from abrasion. This occurs most often when your rope, under tension, comes into contact with rough or sharp edges. Using rope protectors and karabiners with hooded gates help to minimize this problem. Remember, a rope under tension will always be more susceptible to damage than one that is not.

Multiple short falls will eventually wear out both the core and sheath of your rope. "Mileage" is the determining factor here, not time. Depending upon the number of falls taken, a rope can wear out rapidly or last many years. Remember, a rope's ability to absorb energy diminishes each time it is subjected to a load.

Always use proper rappelling and belaying techniques Fast rappels, bounding and swinging, running the rope over a sharp edge etc., are all things that can potentially damage your rope. Any belay or rappel device puts sharp bends in a rope and will contribute to the potential abrasion your rope receives. Some belay devices will abrade a rope more quickly than others. The sharper the bends, the faster a rope will wear.

Fast rappels create excessive heat from friction that your rappel device cannot always dissipate. This heat can melt the nylon on the surface of the sheath causing a "glazing" effect, dramatically shortening the life of your rope. Always take care to rappel and lower climbers slowly and in control.

Avoid stepping on your rope Besides the potential of cutting, stepping on a rope will grind dirt into the core and increase the possibility of internal abrasion.

Protect your rope from exposure to harsh chemicals Do not allow your rope to come into contact with any compounds containing acids, alkalies, oxidizing agents or bleaching compounds. Be especially careful to avoid contact with battery acid or fumes.

To help protect a rope from coming into contact with unidentified chemicals, always store and transport it in a rope bag.

Testing done by the AlliedSignal Corporation indicates salt water, acetone, benzene, chloroform, freon, gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, mineral oil, paints and pine oil do not appreciably affect nylon and should not damage your rope.

Laboratory tests performed have shown no appreciable damage done to nylon fibers by contact with insect repellents containing DEET (Test #0559).

Keep your rope clean Dirt can shorten the life of your rope by increasing internal and external abrasion. It is a good idea to occasionally wash a rope to remove dirt and rock crystals. Put the rope in a pillow case or washing bag and use a front loading machine with cold water only to prevent shrinkage. It is acceptable to use a mild soap to remove oil or grease but avoid harsh detergents. DO NOT USE BLEACH OR BLEACH SUBSTITUTES. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. Small amounts of fabric softener may be used to give better flexibility and a softer hand as a rope stiffens with use. Your rope should be air dried away from direct sunlight. It will not harm a rope to store it wet. Nylon is not affected by water and will not rot or mildew.

Know when to retire your dynamic rope Excessive sheath abrasion is the most obvious clue to indicate time for rope retirement. The repeated short falls taken in sport climbing are the most common cause of this abrasion. Damage from karabiner gates, sharp edges, rough rock surfaces and glazing from fast rappels and sheath slippage should also be watched for. If the rope's sheath is badly glazed, excessively abraded or showing through to the core, it is time to retire it.

Soft, hollow, or lumpy spots in the rope can indicate internal core damage. If any of these are found, the rope should be retired.

Often the 10 or 20 feet of rope on either end will wear out before the rest of the rope. It is acceptable to remove these damaged ends and continue to use the rest of the rope. Remember that repeated falls take a toll on the entire rope, so removing worn ends is not the same as replacing the rope.

The following are general guidelines that can assist in deciding when to retire a rope:

* Sheath wear the core is exposed or more than half of the outer sheath yarns are broken or it is badly glazed
* Overloading the rope has been subjected to the kind of overload for which it was not designed.
* Chemical contamination unless the chemical is specifically known to be harmless, it should be considered a contaminant.
* Lack of uniformity in texture soft, mushy places or hard spots which may indicate core damage.
* Age the rope is simply "worn out" from use.
* Lack of uniform diameter a visible change in diameter resembling an hourglass shape.
* Loss of faith the rope was used by persons you suspect may not have taken proper care of it.

Kinking BlueWater kernmantle ropes use both S and Z-twist core bundles to avoid the uni-directional twisting that can cause a climbing rope to kink. Normal handling, and modern rappel and belay devices can all introduce twists into a rope, causing it to kink. The standard practice of "coiling" a rope for transport and storage compounds this problem. It is important to regularly remove these kinks by "cleaning" the rope from its coil into a pile, flipping the kinks out the end before each use. Periodically hanging the rope and flipping out the kinks when rappelling also helps. Storing and carrying your rope in a bag like the BlueWater Attaché also helps minimize kinking.

Shelf life Although there is no conclusive evidence from nylon manufacturers, we recommend the shelf life of an unused rope to be five years.

Seek proper instruction in the correct techniques and use of all climbing ropes and equipment. A new climber's lack of experience is often the reason climbing ropes are inadvertently exposed to situations that cause premature rope damage.

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