anyone has advice on a very thick sheated, abrasion-resistant half rope?to be used on rock only, sometimes in guiding or guiding-like situations (weak, unaware following climber that takes swings, gets hauled or helped with a very tight rope, etc...), sometimes in parties of 3, occasionally in rope-killing places like wadi rum.i'm aware of the beal pro mountain and edelrid kestrel being advertised as what i need but i wonder aboud other brands/models.
Not used that but have an Edelweiss 9.2. Handles nicely, runs well. Initially was prone to twisting up but that sorted out with a bit of use, and even when bad was better than my mammut infinity. Wear seems pretty standard for the diameter. [full disclosure: LOOK AT ME]
I can't think of any situation I have even been in where having 60m half ropes was actually necessary. Certainly in the UK (and even on the continent I think), abseils or pitches of more than 50m are incredibly rare. Furthermore, the weight saving of dropping from 60 to 50m is huge, and 50m ropes are so much easier to manage on stances and keep out of tangles. Unless someone comes up with an anecdote or reason to get 60s then 50s is the way forward.
I also have much better things to spend money on than two pairs of ropes for different situations, so I really need a pair of ropes that does the lot.
60 metres all the way, that bit extra makes life so much easier and/or safer on occasion, linking pitches, abbing, reaching belays. It can save a lot of time and faff, the extra cost will soon be forgotten and you can probably find a deal if you look around anyway.
In an ideal world I’ve have 2 50m 8.5s for UK trad and 2 60m 8.1s for Alpine, and Scottish winter.
If you're feeling flush then a fat working rope and a super-skinny for onsighting and long enduro routes.