Yale Calamine Climbing Rope, 11.7mm

The Yale Calamine Climbing Rope is a climbing line for tree climbing on a hitch or device. Here is how it handles on the job, what to check before you buy, and how to keep it in service.

How it climbs

Calamine is an 11.7 mm Yale climbing line, close to the half-inch size many climbers learned on. That diameter gives a full hand to grip, plenty of surface for a hitch to bite, and wide compatibility with hitch cords and devices sized for traditional arborist rope.

A 24-strand cover is tightly braided and round, so the rope holds its shape under a hitch, feeds smoothly through pulleys and mechanical devices, and resists flattening over branch unions. Lines like this are used for moving rope (MRS/DdRT) climbing and, where the manufacturer lists the rope as compatible, for stationary rope (SRS) work. Most climbers buy them in hanks with a spliced eye on one end.

Compatibility, inspection and care

Before you buy, check the diameter range of your hitch cord, ascenders and descent device, since compatibility is set by those makers. You can compare it with the other 24-strand climbing ropes we carry.

Climbing rope is life-support equipment. It must meet the applicable standard, ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions. Inspect it before every climb for cuts, glazing, sheath damage and soft or stiff spots, keep it away from saws, fuel and bar oil, and retire it when in doubt. Get trained before you climb.