1st rope length/diameter

[grammicci14]

I live in Flagstaff and am shopping for my first rope. Looking to buy a "do all" rope for AZ tech canyons and a few trips to UT.
8.3mm or 9mm?
120ft or 200ft?
pull rope???
Any rope bag suggestions besides IMLAY?
Thanks,
Joey

[erstanl]

Welcome. :)

I'm assuming since this is your first post, and first rope, that your fairly new to the sport. Id go with a static 9mm x 200ish' by BlueWater or Imlay. 9mm is a pretty forgiving diameter. It can take some abuse. That length will get you through a lot of canyons. I'd rather not use a pull cord, I would use another rope similar in diameter to your main line. Gives you options if things don't go according to plan. Though I have used a pull cord and it works well. Its just not as versatile. Imlay bags are good, I have a few of them and like them. I've also used a metolius bag with good results. Word on the street is that Canyons and Crags has a rope bag in the works. Don't quote me on that one though.

[Sierra Silence]

Sterling has some good canyon ropes :

http://www.sterlingrope.com/products/155018

[grammicci14]

Thanks for the replies. After some digging I came across a great rope thread in the main forum. all questions answered. Pulled the trigger on a rope before this posted. Imlay 200' 9mm. Seems like a very practical logical choice. Thanks again.:2thumbs:

[xxnitsuaxx]

As far as rope bags go my friends and I (all broke college students) have it down to an art.

We buy good-sized backpacks (bonus points for hearts, dinosaurs, or sparkles) for $1 each from DI and then we spend about an hour putting 5 or 6 grommets in the bottom of each one. Each pack takes about 10 minutes to do, costs $1.10 (factoring in the cost of the grommets), and we've had our rope bags last for 15 canyons so far. We get some odd looks from the professional-looking crews rocking their Imlay rope bags, but they're cheap, perform the same function, and look really cute in pictures.

[grammicci14]

Ended up getting an imlay but, I am truely jealous. Nice work. Anyone wanna buy and imlay;-)

[dancrev]

My next rope bag will be a recycled backpack, but right now I have an Imlay bag that I like. All of my ropes are Bluewater. I like the 220' length 9.2mm for Zion canyons. If I'm with a group I'll also take my 200' 8mm rope for backup/emergencies/pull-cord/etc. My next rope will be a Canyonator (made by Bluewater, designed by Rich).

[mgetchis]

Go with a blue water, and buy a bag, wash your rope (at home in a bucket with just water) after every use. Canyons beat the heck out of them. With that avoid the Indiana Jones moves that can be tempting in a canyon. One coreshot can cost you alot...

Care of a rope is as important as selection.

Bluewater makes the canyon DS, which has been awesome to me (I live in flag too) The 220' length will get you down most of whats on the rim. These ropes also come in bright colors which look sweet in pictures and can be used to give a photo depth.

[twobadfish]

I got the imlay potshot for my 200' imlay pullcord and got a 150' 8mm imlay work rope.

I really don't want to buy an Imlay rope bag for the work rope so I'm considering making my own... I usually go with 1 other person and have been fine with packing everything in one 50l pack for the both of us (light overnights) and packing the work rope in a small 25l backpack. Whoever carries the small pack gets to carry the pull cord as well. :)

EDIT: For the first couple canyons I ever did I used a 60m Edelweiss climbing rope. NOT a good idea. I'm pretty sure my $300 rope is ruined for climbing. :( Noob mistake!

[rcwild]

I got the imlay potshot for my 200' imlay pullcord and got a 150' 8mm imlay work rope.

:( Noob mistake!

Sorry, but carrying 6mm pull cord in place of real rope is another noob mistake.

[twobadfish]

Sorry, but carrying 6mm pull cord in place of real rope is another noob mistake.

Thanks for the... advice?

:grenade:

[mountain man]

Thanks for the... advice?

:grenade:

well if your looking for advice on why.

Let's say a problem happens with your partner and needs a rescue. Are you going to do a pick off or a haul system with cord?

Let's say your rope gets damage or stuck and you still need it to finish the canyon. What now?

I've heard a rule carry enough rope and material for 3 x the longest rappel length.

Some smarter canyoneers have discussed this in multiple threads. You can use the search function to find some threads on it.

I think cord has it's place. I own a pull cord and use it sometimes.

[twobadfish]

well if your looking for advice on why.

Let's say a problem happens with your partner and needs a rescue. Are you going to do a pick off or a haul system with cord?

Let's say your rope gets damage or stuck and you still need it to finish the canyon. What now?

Some smarter canyoneers have discussed this in multiple threads. You can use the search function to find some threads on it.

I think cord has it's place. I own a pull cord and use it sometimes.

Thank you :)

My main reasoning was weight and volume. I wanted to be able to do 140' rappels but not have to buy a single 300' rope or carry two 150' work ropes. I think it would be nice to ultimately own multiple work ropes but starting out on my budget this made the most sense to me.

What do you use your cord for?

[mountain man]

What do you use your cord for?

Harbor Freight Mother F*****s (that's for you Don!)










joking aside, I have many ropes in different sizes & makes. Some partners use my 8mm "rope" for pull cord. I have 7mm strength rated "cord" made by a climbing rope manufacture. And I still try to follow the 3 X rule as a minimum.

90% of the time I use the other end of the rope for the pull. 9% of the time I use another rope tied to the rappel strand for the pull.

this discussion probably should be moved by a moderator.

[rcwild]

this discussion probably should be moved by a moderator.

Discussion seems germane to this thread. It's about 1st rope length/diameter.

[hank_moon]

Is there a first rope FAQ or sticky on this site?