Would Para-Cord Work?

dougo83

dougo83

Joined
Feb 28, 2008
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Hey guys, for the PNW trip I am taking soon I was considering taking along some kind of rope with me. On our last trip similar to this one I spent a lot of time going down hillsides and such grabbing gear that people dropped, collecting plant samples, and just trying to get better photo angles. I intend to do the same again while in the PNW. This time, however, I won't have anywhere to stow my climbing rope, etc. Would I be able to use para, at 260#, or should I just try and pack about 30' or so of climbing rope...or just try and do a flat braid on the para? Would that hold my weight? Now..I'm not talking about using it as rappelling line or anything, just something to hold a static load...
 
dougo83 said:
Hey guys, for the PNW trip I am taking soon I was considering taking along some kind of rope with me. On our last trip similar to this one I spent a lot of time going down hillsides and such grabbing gear that people dropped, collecting plant samples, and just trying to get better photo angles. I intend to do the same again while in the PNW. This time, however, I won't have anywhere to stow my climbing rope, etc. Would I be able to use para, at 260#, or should I just try and pack about 30' or so of climbing rope...or just try and do a flat braid on the para? Would that hold my weight? Now..I'm not talking about using it as rappelling line or anything, just something to hold a static load...
Click to expand...

Doug, another option is tubular webbing...it packs up pretty small for 30-40 feet. I just picked up some emergency rappel line (6mm I think)...it's about 50 feet and fits in a small bag, smaller than a football. 550 cord would probably hold...better if braided, but it's too small to really get a good hold (for me). I usuall carry that 30 foot tube-webbing or 6mm sized rope for true emergencies.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
Doug, another option is tubular webbing...it packs up pretty small for 30-40 feet. I just picked up some emergency rappel line (6mm I think)...it's about 50 feet and fits in a small bag, smaller than a football. 550 cord would probably hold...better if braided, but it's too small to really get a good hold (for me). I usuall carry that 30 foot tube-webbing or 6mm sized rope for true emergencies.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

ROCK, do you have any links? I am not sure I know what you're talking about...
 
dougo83 said:
ROCK, do you have any links? I am not sure I know what you're talking about...
Click to expand...

If you get a chance hit the REI down there in Austin. They sell the tublar webbing by the foot, so it's not too expensive but would work really well for what you're looking for.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
If you get a chance hit the REI down there in Austin. They sell the tublar webbing by the foot, so it's not too expensive but would work really well for what you're looking for.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

I always make a chance to go to REI...once a year it pays off for us cardholders :D
 
Dougo83, do you have a thread where you discuss your upcoming PNW trip and the details?
Always interested to read about trip reports, especially the planning stages.

Cheers
 
You probably want some 8mm climbing rope, if your familure with climbing techniques you can use the 8mm in a twin rope setup should you need to do some rappelling or steep angle decents. I have a 30m section of 8mm that I carry with me when im scrambling the mountians in Banff that has saved my but a few time. Its only a few pounds and coils up very small.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_...older_id=2534374302691467&bmUID=1241405482655

you can see it in action here:
http://img.mypicgallery.com/banff08/img-0390.jpg
 
Don't use 550 cord for rappelling. It's made to hold weight but not to withstand friction.

You know those "Hey guys watch this" moments? I saw a Marine rappell MOST of the way off the 3rd story with 550 cord tied off to his toilet. He fell the rest of the way when the cord broke from the friction.

David
 
If you want something small and very light weight, use TECH CORD. It is only 5mm or about 3/16'' thick but has 5000 lbs tensil strength, and is 1.7 pounds per 100 feet. This place is about the cheapest around, but I have bought some off of ebay for about half this price.

Either way, it is cheaper than a trip to the emergency room, if you survive the fall that is.

http://www.karstsports.com/newenteccor5.html
 
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