Why is it getting so hard now to get 11mm climbing rope?All the newer ropes are getting really skinny, like 10.2mm or 9.5, or even 8.3mm!Maybe we should start calling them ''climbing cords''?

hello scythian
l do not know if you can find it in shops. Unfortunately there are many items you can no longer find in shops, but you can find it on the internet, if you are up for doing internet shopping. Just click 11mm rope and you will get it. l do not like doing internet shopping because l am not too confident with the security, but l found that there were some books l really wanted and some other stuff and they were not found in ordinary stores.

Good point.

l think thiner ropes r overall more desireable, but a lot of that has to do with the whole ''fast & light'' theme to the marketing of climbing gear these days. Smaller ropes pack down smaller, weigh less, & stretch more (they're actually safer because of that).

But, l would love a big fattie, just for top roping at smaller craigs (because my 9.1mm has a ton of stretch which is not desireable that for that application). l have an old 10mm that has very little stretch left in, thats what l toprope with now, but the sheath looks so haggard that it does not exactly inspire confidence!

l am guessing you're not a fan of skinny ropes. Remember, more stretch means more energy absorbtion. For lead climbing, skinny rope has many advantages. The coolest skinny rope I've used is called ''the Joker''. Get this, It is 70m rope, 8.5mm or something, & it is the only rope available that u can use for single, double or twin rope applications!!! It does it all! l actually had a chance to do a 70M ice lead on it, which was so much fun!! But then the next week, my buddy was tied in around the 20m mark & he put his front point right through it!! *sniff* !

You CAN buy 10.5 mm rope. RE l carries them and most of the rope manufacturers make 10.5 mm ropes.

l gather that it is a weight issue. With better technology, ropes are made out of stronger materials so they can be thinner. Making them thinner makes them lighter.

l use a 9mm half rope for glacier climbing. It is pretty nice ( l used to carry a full length 11 mm dry rope - very heavy).