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Equipment and Gear

Climbing Rope Inspection and Retirement

American Alpine Institute
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How long does a rope last…?

Well, that depends. It depends on use and damage. For some, a rope will last several years…whereas for others, not so much.
A few years ago I opened up a new rope and took it on an ascent of Cutthroat Peak in the Cascades of Washington State. On the descent, the rope was damaged right in the middle. So literally, on the very first day of use, I had to cut a rope in half.
Assuming that there is no obvious damage, the length of time that you use a rope should be directly connected to the frequency of use. Check out this chart:

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