Friction cord life

[timstree]

I know it's a tough question due to so many variables, but is there some basic guideline for changing friction cords. I'm using Ice- it has a bit of the usual fuzz but nothing serious. My concern is more about the UV exposure. I understand these types of cords don't have much resistance.

I thought I saw somewhere that Tobe Sherrill was asking for old cords to break test. Are the results available anywhere yet?

By the way- TreeBuzz is an amazing resource. My thanks to all those who share their experience.

 

[Dan_Watkins]

What I do is inspect daily. Look for for the things that would make you toss it. Like a cut, or a bad burn on it, or anything else that jeopardizes rope strength. And, if you have had it for a while, just replace it. They are like $25. Not worth the risk. Thats just me though

 

[cory]

My understanding is UV exposure incurred during normal use in not a limiting factor in any way. UV exposure could become an issue if the product were stored in direct sunlight.

 

[boreality]

I'm just finished a second season on the same pieces of beeline. For the cost why wouldn't you replace it regularly?
What would of smoked my old ultratech in one descent I've been doing daily. I'm replacing this winter but they look fine.

 

[robinia]

I'm amazed at how ratty-looking Ice and Tenex get from regular use. They seem to look awful but still perform well. This just seems to make the decision process harder...

I also find loose strands in the middle of Tenex eye&eye that first look like cuts but are more likely ends of the buried splice poking out.

Other cord materials seem to make the decision for me: they start grabing unreliably or running differently

 

[Jeff_Cochran]

wash your friction cord robustly with dish soap and see what you think. you'll make your rope and cord last longer plus it makes the cord easier to inspect.

 

[treestyler]

I think this is a dangerous topic....

I'll try to explain :
with the new dyneema or technora webbed hitch cords, we get to climb longer with the same friction hitch then before. But how far do we want to go ? When all the fibers that are not heat resistent have been worn out this will have it's effect on the stronger strands as well. The cord will behave different and its optimal shape and performance will be gone. The friction cord will last much shorter after being abused by a lot off quick agressive descents.

If you climb relax and sound it will last much longer, but I personally don't want to go to the limit with it. It's not worth the extra bucks to try this out and possibly spend our lives.

For new treeclimbers who read this topics they will just translate the figure off months we type in here to their personal usage and will soon become another climbing awakening topic....

It will last longer then the usual friction cord but it also has its limitations and you will have to be sure it's in perfect shape before climbing with it. That's the bottom line and it's not easy for me to write the exact motivation in english because I don't know all the exact words but I think you all get my point ;-)

Climb safe

 

[Jeff_Cochran]

my point is clean and regularly inspect your gear, in doing this your gear will last longer and you will be much safer than relying on specified time period to change your gear. GREENHORNS: INSPECT YOUR GEAR EVERYDAY. CLEAN YOUR GEAR ONCE A WEEK TO ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS.