Slipping when climbing rope

Mark Gebhard · 05-30-2006, 10:17 AM

I'm new to rope climbing and had a question about grip strength. I made a rope using the 4-strand square sinnet shown in this thread with 0.5" nylon:
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/12623.html.
I have decent pulling strength so I knew that grip strength would limit me to begin with, but grip seems to be a huge problem. With tons of chalk and some difficulty, I can go up hands only but I can't hold on trying to come down. Do you think my grip just needs to get stronger (I can deadlift 2xBW mixed grip with chalk, probably about 1.4-1.5xBW overhand grip) or would it be easier on a better rope, for example a 2" manila rope? The nylon seems slippery and the irregularity of the sinnet seems to hurt more than help. Any thoughts?

Jason Steele · 05-30-2006, 07:22 PM

My first inclination is that the rope is more of a culprit than your grip strength, bite the bullet and get a quality rope.

Steven Low · 05-30-2006, 10:09 PM

Nylon will be very slippery. Grip strength is not necessarily the same as the ability to hold a certain amount of weight as Jim (from beastskills) pointed out to me. With grip strength you have you involve your thumb in the squeezing motion as well which is the same as if you were doing rafter chins or using grippers to increase your strength. Although it is a subtle difference, the effect is huge. I can "hold" a significant amount of weight (more than 2x bodyweight), but I can't do a rafter chin which would only be pinching 1x my bodyweight.

Work on your grip strength with grippers or pinching exercises (pinching weight plates). Basically you want to get your thumb involved and strengthened so that you can grip the rope tighter.

Chris Siler · 05-31-2006, 10:11 AM

I have the same rope set up, very slippery. Can climb a standard 2" manila rope no problem. My reccomendation is to get a good quality rope.

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05-30-2006, 10:17 AM	#1
Mark Gebhard Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin TX Posts: 186	I'm new to rope climbing and had a question about grip strength. I made a rope using the 4-strand square sinnet shown in this thread with 0.5" nylon: http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/12623.html. I have decent pulling strength so I knew that grip strength would limit me to begin with, but grip seems to be a huge problem. With tons of chalk and some difficulty, I can go up hands only but I can't hold on trying to come down. Do you think my grip just needs to get stronger (I can deadlift 2xBW mixed grip with chalk, probably about 1.4-1.5xBW overhand grip) or would it be easier on a better rope, for example a 2" manila rope? The nylon seems slippery and the irregularity of the sinnet seems to hurt more than help. Any thoughts?

05-30-2006, 07:22 PM	#2
Jason Steele Member Profile: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Radford VA Posts: 335	My first inclination is that the rope is more of a culprit than your grip strength, bite the bullet and get a quality rope.

05-30-2006, 10:09 PM	#3
Steven Low Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: silver spring maryland Posts: 8,082	Nylon will be very slippery. Grip strength is not necessarily the same as the ability to hold a certain amount of weight as Jim (from beastskills) pointed out to me. With grip strength you have you involve your thumb in the squeezing motion as well which is the same as if you were doing rafter chins or using grippers to increase your strength. Although it is a subtle difference, the effect is huge. I can "hold" a significant amount of weight (more than 2x bodyweight), but I can't do a rafter chin which would only be pinching 1x my bodyweight. Work on your grip strength with grippers or pinching exercises (pinching weight plates). Basically you want to get your thumb involved and strengthened so that you can grip the rope tighter.

05-31-2006, 10:11 AM	#4
Chris Siler Member Profile: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 35	I have the same rope set up, very slippery. Can climb a standard 2" manila rope no problem. My reccomendation is to get a good quality rope.