I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old who are obsessed with climbing things and it brings back memories of the big beefy climbing ropes in the playground at junior high school. I got my share of rope burns sliding down but also recall the challenge and great feeling of accomplishment on pulling myself to the top.
I would like to set something up for them to practice climbing in the yard but need to decide how large a rope (diameter) and what type of rope.
If I recall correctly they were around 1 1/2″ manilla rope but not sure.
Can anyone recommend a type of rope and diameter that is well suited to kids learning to shinny up?
Thanks,
Karl
Replies
I'd use cotton rope. Manila is stickery and nylon can burn badly. Take the kids to the store...let them choose the size.
If you can't find cotton rope at the hardware store, try a feed-and-farm kind of place. (Cotton is sold for lead rope.) 1 inch diameter is the largest i've seen, though. 1-1/2" D. seems large for 6-year-old hands.
Thanks for the tip on cotton rope. Somehow 1" seems smaller than what I recall. I am thinking of the type of rope that you would find in a gym for gymnastics class. I did a quick google search and couldn't see anything bigger than 1".
Cotton seems like it would be a great choice as it would be soft though it would seem like the potential for a rope burn is inevitable. If the rope has too little friction to burn you then there won't be enough friction to climb it.Karl
http://www.amazon.com/2-Pack-NE4480-1-CLIMBING-ROPE/dp/B00076OC5Q/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1207397481&sr=1-6
http://functionalhandstrength.com/rope_climbing.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/Climbing-Rope-Indoor-Outdoor-GYM-ROPE-18-feet-NEW_W0QQitemZ300212337604QQcmdZViewItem
I might have some new manila rope the size you want, I know it's at least 1 1/4 diameter, but it would not be a good choice outside.
Edited 4/5/2008 8:13 am ET by MarkH
Mark, Thanks for the links. It looks like 1.5" is fairly typical according to the second link you included.Why not Manilla outdoors? I am guessing it will lose strength as it decomposes in the elements. Cotton rope will probably have similar issues. It looks like the alternative is something called Polyplus.I will look into synthetics as it will likely spend a lot of time hanging in the elements.Thanks, Karl
Why not just get real climbing rope?
Expensive, but you wouldn't be buying that much.
E.M.S. always has it in stock.
Soft on the hands, good friction and it is made to stretch. Helps
with any jarring if you slip. Plus you know the weight rating is up to the task.
Climbing rope would be great but it doesn't seem to come in anything much bigger than 1/2". The rope I envision is more like 1.5". If I could get a climbing rope that size in a twenty foot length it would be perfect.Thanks,
Karl
Get something around 3/4" and tie a knot every foot or so.
Rasconc, At first I didn't like the idea of tying knots but now that I mull it over, it is a lot simpler than tracking down a huge diameter rope and it will give the kids an advantage in climbing it while their grip strength is still limited.Thanks for the suggestion.Karl
You, uh, ever get that funny feeling climbing rope in Cub Scouts?
Forrest
Oh my god. ROFLMAO.....
Thanks for bringing back a traumatic childhood memory of uncomfortableness.
Bing
Your memory is good,1 1/2" manila is what I used for my kids,long time ago. I got it at a marina nearby. The rope is still there, 20 or so years later.
mike
If you dont get exterior rated rope, the stuff will break down, one way or another.
Cotton will rot.
Nylon will get very rough (to the point it tears up my hands when I use it)
Polyester rope won't rot, and resists UV degradation better than most ropes. I agree with getting smaller than 1.5" rope and knotting it at regular intervals. I remember gripping strength being my own limiting factor when climbing rope as a kid. Knots are also a lot easier to rest feet upon than mere thick rope is.
Dinosaur is the resident Breaktime rope expert.
Bill