Yank-Tank wrote:Good points here but ditch the half rope and use a single 70 meter rope..
1- they are more resistant to being cut.
2- they feel safer.
3- they give you an extra 5 meters.
4- they don't tangle as much.
5- you can use them as a single line
1. 'Sharp' rated half ropes exist that are more cut resistant than standard single ropes. (Edelweiss Sharp).
2. Single ropes 'feel' safer? Half ropes when used properly are much safer than single ropes.
3. An extra 5 meters is extra weight and extra tangling. They are going mostly scrambling with only occasional bits of fifth class. If anything, I would say go shorter to a 50.
4. Longer ropes tangle more. I have no problem with my double half ropes tangling, it is all about rope management. It takes attention and care.
5. Why would they use it as single line? Besides, the lines between single, half and twin have been blurred. There are thin ropes that are rated twin/double/single, like the Beal Unicore 8.5. I wouldn't buy one, because in order to make it that thin and still pass single rope tests they have to make the sheath very thin which makes the rope very fragile. Steve House and Vince Anderson used a single, 50 meter 8mm half rope and a 55 meter 5.5 mm tag line for climbing and descending their route on the Rupal Face, the largest in the world. I feel good and wholesome using a 50 meter, 8.5 mm Sharp rated half rope as my only rope on moderate alpine climbs up to grade V, 5.10, AI 5. This is not an unusual position:
https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/News/ ... aineering-