Bruce Smith and Allen Padgett’s absolute classic On Rope is a deep encyclopedia of rope work information- concepts, techniques and methods that every climbing arborist owes themselves to read.

Chapter 2 of the book-Rope-is entirely dedicated to rope and briefly touches on some history of rope as a tool that has evolved over centuries. The introduction reads:

“Rope is a tool. People’s survival has often depended on finding solutions to problems with the tools they use. Rope was one of the first tools used by humans, probably as they looked for a way to hold a stone tool on a stick. Then they realized that they could tie other things with these primitive ropes, or perhaps use a convenient vine to escape from a saber tooth tiger. Herein, single rope techniques evolved” (Smith, Padgett,18).

Thinking about rope as a tool is a vast consideration, given the different applications, constructions and designs and characteristics, just in the arboricultural market itself. Lines for climbing (access and work positioning) and lines for rigging (dynamic loading, static pulling and sling material for anchors), and all sorts of different accessory cordage for prussic material and the likes offer different options that appeal to both style and safe/economic application.

Rope, and how we apply it in a tree or in an environment’s overall architecture is one of the real joys in using rope as an arborist. Whether building an anchor with a multi-sling and distributing forces between multiple stems high in the crown for a moving rope system, or pre-directing a stationary rope system through several tree crotches to also improve rope angle and load distribution aloft, or building a neat redirect, to setting up a clean rigging scheme for the removal of a limb or a whole tree, dare I forget the simple, elegant throw line and all it’s magical potential; all of these applications involve building a rope system that is uniquely specific to a tree’s individual character, and even more specifically, a tree’s individual strengths and weaknesses. We can, through some real artistry with ropes, make a tree strong where it may be weak (or, unfortunately without artistry and the proper experience and application, make a tree weak where it is not strong enough). Rope, in combination with the tree, is the climbing arborist’s life support system. Therefore, rope is the greatest tool we have for accessing the crown.

So protecting our tools goes without saying. How we store ropes, how we load them and employ them, how we clean them and what type of hardware we use in combination with a rope will have a great determining impact on the cycles of failure for that specific rope. Inspection and cleaning is something that can be easily fell behind on, but it is one of the greatest gifts we can give to both ourself and our rope.

“It is possible that internal abrasion can be the most significant factor in rope failure” (32).

The chapter proceeds further by noting “ropes are usually replaced because they are thought to be less strong. There are many factors which contribute to strength loss, including: age, moisture, acids, UV radiation, figure 8 descenders, mechanical devices, abrasion. Taken singly, each will weaken a rope, but often these factors exhibit synergistic effects on each other and degrade rope even further,” (32).

It’s good practice to think about each individual rope we use on a granular level. Questions like: What type of hardware do I typically use with this rope? What is the average load that this rope is exposed to? What is the maximum load that this rope is exposed to? Is this a rope that sees a high amount of friction? How dirty is this rope? Is this rope suitable for a lifeline?

“After all the investigation and the final acquisition of the right rope, it is important to care for it properly. The term lifeline is very appropriate as it describes the rope’s function. If rope is always thought of as a lifeline, it might receive better care” (32).

From early cave dwelling humans swinging on vines, to E.I. duPont deNemours and Co. introduction of Nylon in 1938, rope has certainly come a long way. And, although I’d like to say that the uses we employ rope for have greatly changed and evolved over the centuries, I do feel that deep down in the heart of every climber out there is simply a primal desire to escape the tigers below.