Climbing Rope Articles & Videos

• How to Make a Very Sturdy Rope Ladder

  Rope ladders, or etriers, are common tools used in aid climbing to make advancement to a set piece of protection easier. While many commercial varieties exist, a simple but sturdy ladder can be made using only your climbing webbing. The s… read more

• Climbing Rope Safety

  Companies design climbing ropes with a rock climber's safety in mind. Modern climbing ropes consist of heat-treated strands of nylon yarn woven together. Each rope has an inner core protected by an outer sheath. read more

• How to Coil a Climbing Rope

  Keeping your climbing rope neatly coiled is more than a tidy habit. It also helps keep the rope tangle free so you don't have to spend time untangling it before your next climb, and it helps you store it neatly away from harmful sunlight an… read more

• How to Use a Climbing Rope on Half Dome Cables

  Half Dome is one of Yosemite National Park's most prominent features. The traditional route to the summit of Half Dome is a long and strenuous route that ends with rising cables up the back side of the dome. In addition to wearing shoes wi… read more

• Ways to Carry Your Climbing Rope

  How you care for your climbing rope affects its performance and longevity. Since your climbing rope safeguards your life while you rock climb, aim to maintain it as best you can, not only in storage and while climbing, but also in transport… read more

• How to Store Climbing Ropes

  Learning how to store climbing ropes is important for anyone who participates in sport climbing activities. Proper storage can help maintain the durability and strength of the climbing ropes over time. Choose a cool, dry place to store the… read more

• How to Mark Climbing Ropes

  A climbing rope is literally a climber's lifeline, one of the few items of a gear system that usually isn't redundant. When you life depends on a single piece of nylon--and certain substances have been shown to degrade nylon--who can blame… read more

• How to Cut a Climbing Rope

  Since the ends of climbing ropes -- where the rope is frequently bent into a load-bearing knot as the climber ties in -- receive a lot of abuse, it's not uncommon for that part of the rope to become compromised while the rest of the rope is… read more

• How to Cover an RV

  Protecting your RV is essential. Cracks, corrosion and damage from rain, snow, tree sap and hail is common for RV owners to experience if they leave their mobile homes uncovered when they are not in use. If you do not have a garage or roof… read more

• About Gym Climbing Ropes

  Gym climbing ropes are a great way to get in shape. Ropes are versatile workout tools because they target the upper body, the core and enhance flexibility. This versatility is the reason why rope climbing has long been a standard part of mi… read more

• How to Make an Eye Splice in Three-Strand Manila Rope

  Eye-splicing rope is a skill that is fundamental to sailors and climbers everywhere. It should also be considered important to campers and handymen. This basic bit of rope-work is necessary for any sort of job where something needs to be hu… read more

• How to Climb With Only a Rope

  Basic rope climbing is a skill for a number of outdoor sports, never mind its utility as a survival skill. Things like tree climbing, canyoning, caving and rock climbing all use ropes. Also, rope climbing techniques are a great way to exerc… read more

• The Proper Way to Climb a Rope

  Many people have returned to the effective simplicity of the rope climb for their workouts. Rope climbing has the advantage of working multiple muscle groups at once. Plus, it is a demanding exercise that rewards effort. Getting into rope c… read more

• How to Make Climbing Ropes

  Many people seeking an intense, full-body workout climb ropes, either in their own backyards or at gyms fitted with ropes for this purpose. You can buy climbing rope or save money by making your own. Either way, it's important to know what… read more

• How to Climb Ropes

  Rope climbing is one of the most physically challenging activities you can do, incorporating your arms, legs and core muscles. It is also an excellent workout in preparation for rock or boulder climbing, where you will use many of the same… read more

• How to Climb a Rope

  When it comes to full-body strength building, few exercises can match a simple rope climb in overall effectiveness, which is why it is used extensively for training purposes by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Navy Seals and the Army Rangers, to… read more

• What Rope Is Good for Strength Climbing?

  Rope climbing as a method of building strength can be remarkably effective. Rope climbing is a true all-body workout, engaging your core and even bringing leg muscles into play. Plus, rope climbing is ideal for improving flexibility and dev… read more

• The Best Climbing Rope

  Climbing ropes are available in a variety of configurations, depending on the activity they will be used for. For instance, climbers doing glacier climbs and high-altitude mountaineering will likely prefer a single half rope, since the fall… read more

• A Climbing Rope Review

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• Outdoor Challenge Games

  Outdoor challenge games let families, campers and adventurous adults have the chance to work as a team and have some fun. Although there are ample opportunities to use high rope courses and climbing walls to build camaraderie and teamwork,… read more

• What Is Climbing Rope Made Of?

  The first climbing ropes were made of natural fibers like sisal and manila, but today they are made of much stronger material. Nylon ropes were developed during World War II by DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers, enabling climbers to embark… read more

• Climbing Rope Technique

  Climbers use mechanical ascenders and friction knots (often prusik knots) to ascend rocks. Both devices were engineered to prevent a person from sliding down a weighted rope. Mechanical ascenders, which are the focus of this article, offer… read more

• How to Climb Using Rope

  There are various ways to ascend a climbing rope and many reasons why a climber would do so. If a climber is unable to climb a difficult rock route, she might have to ascend the rope instead. At other times, climbers ascend ropes because it… read more

• Types of Climbing Rope

  Rope is the most recognizable symbol of climbing and represents the trust climbing partners must have in one another. In the early days of climbing, ropes were mostly made of natural fibers. During World War II, nylon ropes were invented, w… read more

• How to Butterfly Coil a Climbing Rope

  In climbing, the butterfly coil will be one of the coil forms you use most often. Whether you are going to or from a climb or simply storing your rope for a trip, this coil is quick to do and efficient at keeping your rope organized. The bu… read more

• How to Choose a Climbing Rope

  The climbing rope is the lifeline of the rock climbing partnership. It's what connects the climber with her belayer, and it's what keeps a person from hitting the ground if she falls. Without it, a climber is free soloing, which is not real… read more

• How to Butterfly Coil a Rope

  The butterfly coil, also known as a backpack coil or climbers coil, is one of the most used coils by climbers because it is relatively easy to make and keeps the rope organized. How to make the butterfly coil should be a part of every climb… read more

• How to Tie Into a Climbing Rope

  For a safe and secure knot - and trust us, you want a safe and secure knot - follow these steps. read more

• Toss a Climbing Rope for a Rappel

  Rappelling may not seem difficult, but it can get complicated. Setting up correctly is a matter of safety and tossing the rope is the first step in a safe and fun rappel. Having an anchor and block and using the correct side of the rope are… read more

• Retrieve a Climbing Rope After a Rappel

  In order to retrieve your ropes after a rappel you have to prepare in advance by setting up a one-rope or two-rope retrievable rappel. Use one rope if the rappel is less than half the length of your rope. Use two if it's greater. read more

• How to Make Sailor Knots

  Sailor's knots come in handy for all types of rigging--be it on a boat or on the mountainside. Sailors found ways to tie knots that could be (relatively) easily undone, even when subjected to great torque. Thus a common feature of a sailo… read more

• Tips for Maintaining a Climbing Rope

  A climbing rope is your lifeline, so you should be constantly diligent in maintaining it. When it becomes too old---one to three years depending on how much you use it and the environment in which you are using it---or if it has too many "s… read more

• How to Clean a Climbing Rope

  Climbing for sport and recreation is a great way to stay in shape and learn new skills. But one important aspect climbers often overlook is the health of their rope. This important lifeline can get black with dirt and grime quickly. It need… read more

• How to Pick a Climbing Rope

  Climbing is an inherently dangerous sport, and participants rely on excellent equipment to keep them safe in harsh environments and precarious situations that would be otherwise unnavigable. The rope is the most basic piece of climbing safe… read more

• How to Wash a Climbing Rope

  Climbing rope is one of your most important pieces of gear as a climber and so you want to take proper care of it. Try to keep your rope clean in the first place by using a rope bag. When a rope does get dirty and starts leaving marks on yo… read more

• How to Tie a Bowline on a Bight Knot

  Create a self-equalizing anchor with a few pieces of gear and a bowline on a bight knot. Learn more about top rope rock climbing in this free video series. read more

• Learn How Anchors Work

  Learn how anchors work for lead and top rope climbing while you're out mountain or rock climbing in these free rock and mountain climbing videos. read more

• Understand the Importance of a Dynamic Climbing Rope

  Learn why it is important to use dynamic ropes for rock climbing safety to ensure that once you're out in the real wilderness you'll be able to stay safe, prevent slippage and remain upright in this free beginner rock climbing video series.… read more

• Learn to Tie a Prusik Knot for Top Rope Climbing

  Prusik knots allow you to anchor yourself and climb up the rope anytime you need to hold onto the rope without tying a knot. Learn more about top rope rock climbing techniques in this free video series. read more

• Learn About Anchors for Top Rope Climbing

  Using a clove hitch when you anchor during top rope rock climbing is discussed in this free video series. read more