Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Double, twin or single rope ...? 19-May-2004 At 5:48:55 PM M

Message

The force is proportional to the elongation be that rope elongation or other dynamic factors. {force = mass X acceleration} so as more elongation results in a longer time to deaccelerate the force is lower. It is actually the time of acceleration/ deacceleration which is important not the distance/elongation. Two ropes clipped together will not elongate as far as a single rope under the same force. I doubt this is a linear relationship which means that althought two ropes clipped together will have a greater result in a greater force on the anchor than a single rope it wont be twice the force. If it was twice the force shared between two ropes then the impact on each rope would be the same (i think) as if the fall was on a single rope. i dont believe this is the case.
I do agree with Shaggys point which makes sense however a number of rope manufactures suggest that it is oK to clip together or alternatively.
Clipped together is better for your ropes but seperate is less likely to result in gear failure. Gear failure is more likely to result in an accident.
If the gear is bomber and significant elongation may result in hitting a ledge etc then clipping together with seperate biners to reduce friction may be a better option.