Replacing ropes every season?

[CSBowHunt]

Anyone replace there ropes every season? Hanging from same tether all season long (about 40 sits) has me wondering if this is a good idea or unnecessary. Thanks

 

[raisins]

i've only been at it 2 seasons, but i did replace my tether and lineman's this year, so now i have a backup and one to let dry after a rain

if you buy your own rope by the foot and tie your own, then it isn't very expensive

 

[Bowhunter05]

This is my fourth season and will probably always switch to a new tether every two years or so and use the previous one as a linesman belt

 

[elk yinzer]

I do mine every two years. Flip it in between. Throughout the season I move the terminal knots a few times as I feel I can't fully trust the bends if they are set in one place too long. I am pretty paranoid about heights, but I also use mine out of spec in a couple ways and they double as deer drags so I certainly don't baby them. I inspect them pretty religiously and take care not to beat them up with the teeth on my RM2 using proper technique to disengage the cam. Wet trees really dirty them up more than anything, not sure how much of an impact that has. After two years my Oplux tethers are going to be phased out but they are still in really good shape, just a slight amount of fraying from friction against the tree. I just figure for all the more a tether/LB costs it's better safe than sorry.

 

[pesqimon]

My tether doesn’t look new after 2 seasons but I think I can get another season out of it. It’s fuzzy and whatnot but the core and sheath are good. I do think it is a good idea to flip it and retie knots. On the other hand it’s not that expensive to replace.

 

[Weldabeast]

If u worried u can go down the length of ur rope and give it the pinch test. I have prusiks on my ropes and I replace the prusik cord either every season or every other season and replace load rope as needed based on that pinch test or visual damage

 

[Exhumis]

Here’s a good read from weighmyrack which is a climbing website:

When To Retire A Climbing Rope

Learn how to determine when it's appropriate to retire a climbing rope in this 2 part article.

blog.weighmyrack.com

They echo a lot of what I was taught in the Navy when we inspected line and cordage, especially hawsers(the super thick white line used to tow and tie up ships). I have no problem using my rope for quite awhile and I rappel so my one line does it all. I’m also meticulous with it and inspect it every climb so it gets replaced as necessary

 

[bfriendly]

I’m in my first season but have already replaced rappelling rope, but more for preference. I flipped my old rappel line once and have used several different tethers. I watched that video(thanks for posting) and would replace as soon as it gets fuzzy. Rope isn’t really that expensive and I’ll keep mine fresh I’m sure.

 

[Hall17]

Ropes can last. Learn how to inspect your rope by watching videos like listed above. Untie knots each season and you can also flip your ropes. But if replacing your ropes each year gives you peace of mind then that's good but in most cases its not necessary. I use HTP which is inexpensive rope but it won't get replaced until I see signs of needing replaced. Think about how many years you used your Hunter Safety System tether if you were a treestand guy. Not saying it should not have been replaced but I bet some of those tethers were 10+ years old.

 

[CSBowHunt]

Ropes can last. Learn how to inspect your rope by watching videos like listed above. Untie knots each season and you can also flip your ropes. But if replacing your ropes each year gives you peace of mind then that's good but in most cases its not necessary. I use HTP which is inexpensive rope but it won't get replaced until I see signs of needing replaced. Think about how many years you used your Hunter Safety System tether if you were a treestand guy. Not saying it should not have been replaced but I bet some of those tethers were 10+ years old.

I never thought about the hunter safety system until now …never replaced that ever,yikes !! I’m leaning toward just replacing them it’ll give me the peace of mind and allow me to feel more confident. I know it’s probably not needed but oh well

 

[CSBowHunt]

Here’s a good read from weighmyrack which is a climbing website:

When To Retire A Climbing Rope

Learn how to determine when it's appropriate to retire a climbing rope in this 2 part article.

blog.weighmyrack.com

They echo a lot of what I was taught in the Navy when we inspected line and cordage, especially hawsers(the super thick white line used to tow and tie up ships). I have no problem using my rope for quite awhile and I rappel so my one line does it all. I’m also meticulous with it and inspect it every climb so it gets replaced as necessary

Thanks for the info !!

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I replace my ropes as needed only. Feel the rope for permanent flat spots. You can untie knots as well if you are worried about fatigue. Most important thing is try to keep them stored in dry places out of UV light (don’t hang it next to your windows or under drop in ceiling lights. Inspect it for scrapes, knicks or cuts. If you are climbing or rappelling, be sure to check the cover for hard spots or burns (melty looking). Now my friction hitches, I remove and inspect as well. In my experience I’ll replace my friction hitch long before I replace my tether or linesman rope.