Rock season is here in the Colorado Front Range, so time to
get outta the gym and get back on your outdoor project! Rope choice can play a major role in
success or failure. My choice for
multi pitch rock routes is the Sterling Fusion Ion R. At 9.4mm it’s the perfect blend of durability and
weight. Not too skinny for big
wall free climbing abuse but not so fat that weight and functionality become an
issue on rope-stretcher pitches.
It gives a great catch and is easy to hold when logging air time working
a crux pitch. The Fusion Ion R is quite supple, giving it an excellent handle
and feel.
It comes in a variety of lengths from 50-80m at 10m
intervals. I have found the 70m to
be my personal favorite and ideal for demanding free climbs such as Moonlight
Buttress in Zion National Park and Freerider in Yosemite Valley.
Sterling makes a dry version of this rope in each length and
also offers a bicolor version.
