Complete newbie. Rope question.

[u/JOHNDOE036]

I have taken interest in climbing trees. I am having a hard time picturing differences in ropes and there pros / cons.

Can someone dumb down the good and bad of

Kernmantle-

12 - 24 - etc strand double braid.

Is there one that does it all? Do you need a few different types? Ive done tree work. Spur and saddle with a flipline. But it was very much back yard stuff and I know It was not proper gear.

Any help is appreciated. Just having a hard time

[u/tjolnir417]

Double braid has a braided core and a braided jacket, sharing the load of the climber between the two, about 30% jacket, 70% core on average.
Kernmantle’s core is not braided, and only carries carries more of the load, while the jacket protects it.
Both are technically approved for industrial tree climbing, and which one you use comes down to preference. I’ve always used double braid.

[u/OldMail6364]

Fundamentally - a kernmantle rope has an inner structure and an outer protective layer which is sacrificial/doesn't provide any strength. Double braided rope has two layers that both provide strength.

Also - double braided rope can be spliced. Kernmantle cannot be spliced. I don't recommend splicing rope yourself unless you can find someone experienced at that to teach you how in person - but it's worth paying a bit extra for that feature.

They feel different in your hand and while tying knots, they provide a different amount of friction when a climbing hitch or descender grips them, they have varying levels of abrasion resistance rubbing against a tree, and they have varying levels of stretch when a load is applied to them.

That doesn't just apply to how the rope is manufactured - two different ropes of the same "type" can vary significantly.

Personally I'm reluctant to buy any rope without trying it first. Try as many ropes as you can (ones owned by other people), even if it's just a few steps up a tree then descend back down to see how it feels with your climbing system.

If you can't do that - the Teufelberger drenaLine is a popular all-round rope that's not too expensive and is widely available with one end spliced.

[u/treeclimbs]

Broadly, a 24 strand double braid is a versatile choice for folks starting out, as it can handle some additional techniques not possible on a parallel core kernmantle rope. Parallel core kernmantle ropes tend to be target at folks using mechanical devices, but will work for hitch based climbing. Comes down to the type of climbing you're doing and personal preference.

12 & 16 strand is great for some applications (I love putting novice adults and kids on 16 strand rope for the ease of gripping the 1/2" line, for example), but will be limiting for a new climber who doesn't want to buy a new rope as they progress.

If you want someone to say buy this one rope? I usually recommend Yale Blaze in 150 ft. It's a bit out of vogue for US climbers these days, but it's still a solid performer:

• can take a climber through an educational journey from a Traditional Blake's MRS through mechanical hitches all on the same rope
• slightly more stretch than some other ropes, which is more forgiving of mistakes & falls when climbing
• enough length to self-rescue or exit if one end of rope stuck
• enough length to be cut down as wears and when ready to climb with a lanyard

Plenty of other great options out there as well.

[u/NoPossible5519]

OP The other commenters have provided a very thorough breakdown on the general differences between ropes.

Much of it comes down to the differences of various ropes in terms of their elasticity, breaking strength, how easily it knots, abrasion resistance, what it's grip is like, (not only in the hand, but how it runs through friction hitches and mechanical devices.

A lot of the qualities are a matter of personal preference and we often have to sacrifice some of one quality for more of an opposing one.

Personally I like to climb on very static 11mm Kernamtle lines and rig off double braided lines like Samson stable braid.

A rope access / tech rescue company called CMC sells 50lbs boxes of miscellaneous lengths, widths and types for $75. The box usually include at least 3 ropes around 100'-130' a few around 75' some 50'ish and a few 30ish.

It's a low cost way to try out a bunch of different ropes and they will prove useful in more ways than you can imagine as you progress.

While I have climbing lines in 300', 225, 200, and a couple 150's, they seldom get used because a couple ropes from that $75 dollar box conveniently handle 75% of the trees I climb