How to Wrap a Climbing Rope

Caring for your climbing rope is important to keep it in good working condition. A tangled or kinked rope can mean unnecessary preparation, taking away from your valuable climbing time. A properly wrapped rope can easily save you the frustration. Simply wrap your rope every time you finish climbing to keep it safe and ready for your next ascent.

Things You'll Need

  • Climbing rope
  • Rope bag (optional)
  • Tarp (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Wrap a Rope for Carrying

    • 1

      Start with both ends together and take two full arm lengths of rope and let it hang to the side.

    • 2

      Take a third full arm length, and put it behind your shoulders or around your neck. Start wrapping the rope back and forth, alternating left to right and right to left, creating loops.

    • 3

      Take the coiled rope from behind your shoulders and carefully hang the middle of the coils evenly around the palm of your hand.

    • 4

      Wrap the leftover rope around the coils below your hand three or four times.

    • 5

      Slip your hand out and put the remaining slack through the hole making a loop. Put the ends through the loop and cinch tight.

    Wrap a Rope for Storing

    • 6

      Find the middle of the rope. Hold the left end, measure about an arm's length of rope and lift it behind your head.

    • 7

      Hold the end and grab the other side, taking another full arm's length of rope to make a loop. Place the rope behind your head. Repeat until you reach the middle of the rope.

    • 8

      Place the coiled half on one side of your rope bag or tarp.

    • 9

      Take the right end and repeat Step 2. Place the right half on the other side of your rope bag or tarp.

    • 10

      Wrap the rope carefully with your rope bag or tarp.