indoor climbing & rope

[a boardman]

thought i would ask on here as there seem to be a few climbers.

I have been indoor climbing since september (done a bit of via ferrata) mainly at westview preston, yesterday tried out climb rochdale, and next week aim to try awesome walls stockport.

I am starting to climb top rope 6a routes now with some success, and have been thinking about getting my own rope to try leading, is it worth getting a 30m rope like the Mammut Promo 30M, or would it better for a longer rope or would it be better that i tried and Improved my top roped grades.

anyone been to awesome walls stockport it does look awesome.

[ShadownINja]

If you have plans of climbing outside, I would look at getting a 50m rope. Otherwise, you'll have to buy another length of rope when you want to climb outside!

If you want to look at improving your climbing for lead climbing, make sure you're not climbing with assistance from the rope ie get your partner to make sure there's always slack in the system, otherwise you get used to that upward tug and feel lighter than you really are so when you come to leading, you'll notice the massive difference to your safety esp when climbing above the protection.

If possible, do your first lead with someone experienced or pay for tuition, there are little differences in techniques and generally awareness eg not back-clipping, dynamic belaying, resting, clipping "heights" (ie clip at waist height where possible rather than clipping above your head which seems safer but is actually more dangerous generally).

Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 7th February 18:34

[rhinochopig]

Plan out what you want to do over the next 12-24 months. Ropes have a shelf life and so you need to consider this.

Options are:

• single cheap 30m - really only suitable for indoor use.
• Single cheap 50m - only really suitable for very dry weather
• Single 50m with superdry or similar treatment - Best for general uk climbing as they don't tend to mildew. However only useful for vert routes that don't meander.
• Twin ropes - generally safer (although you need an experienced belayer) and better for routes that include traverses - less likely to pull gear out.

When I started I bought a 60m mammut Galaxy superdry coated rope - great long lasting rope. Still the best IMHO. I went for a 60 as there are some epic UK routes that are over 50m that I wanted to TR.

Have a read here for more info

http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Ro...