Cheryl and I were out climbing 2 nights ago out behind the house. Its a big beautiful hunk of rock called Buckhorn Mountain. More rock out there then in some states. But that's not what I wanted to write about.
We were doing some first ascents, and top ropes where we could not lead up without placing bolts, and on one of those top rope climbs I knocked off a hunk of loose rock with out thinking about it. Well, there was only one small spot where it could do damage and of course it tumbled down the granite and smashed right into the tail of my rope. I deserved it, but what are the chances?
It was pretty impressive how it did not really cut the rope, but the one square inch that the rock landed on where the rope laid on an edge...it compressed the rope and melted it in 2 and left a little chunk in the middle. Only 3 of the inner cords held. Wicked Scary!
Climbing ropes are kinda like the human body...really tough, but fragile at times. If your rope looks like this, be scared!
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