Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:53 PM Page 1 sterling rope volume 20 Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:53 PM Page 2 “Green” is the newest sterling color In our world of synthetic fibers and dyes, you may wonder how we can be “green.” All of us can and need to be concerned about our impact on the planet. At Sterling Rope, we think globally, but act locally. To that end, Sterling has always actively recycled and reused the materials that go in and come out of our operations. This year we installed a new energy efficient roof and added beehives to our property. While we can’t recycle or reuse everything needed to make the ropes you use, we do our best to reuse boxes, paper, solutions, pallets, and plastic barrels and containers until their useful life is done, then we recycle. Our waste fiber has always been recycled and reprocessed into various types of staple fiber. Now we are trying to help close the loop by keeping retired ropes and cords out of our land- fills. Early in 2007 we started the Sterling Rope Recycling Initiative where we ask climbers, gyms, comps, and climbing events to send us old ropes to be recycled into a new life—either reused in the agricultural fields of third world countries, or directly recycled by being ground up and pelletized for use in a variety of new products, such as toys and carpet fibers. Do your part and join the Sterling Rope Recycling Initiative. Learn more at www.sterlingrope.com. Contents Within these pages you will find extraordinary products being used by talented athletes. But Sterling ropes are not designed Everyone at Sterling has a deep commitment to environmental stewardship that coincides Fusion Series ...................................5 just for these pros; they are built for everyone who climbs. with our passion for the outdoors and our desire to keep the planet whole and healthy. Check Marathon Series ...............................8 People who demand high quality and exceptional durability. out our website regularly for updates on redemption locations at your local events or special Evolution Series...............................11 People who work hard to achieve their climbs and don’t want offers from Sterling to help foster this program. Two Rope Systems ...........................15 to be bothered with gimmicks and hype along the way. It’s for Gym Series .....................................16 people like you that we make the best life-safety ropes available. Bee smart. Think green. Leave no trace. And, reduce, reuse, and recycle. Canyoneering..................................19 Static Ropes...................................23 We are excited to introduce two new light-weight ropes to our WaterLines .....................................26 Fusion Series. The NanoTM 9.2mm (page 5) and the IonTM 9.5mm Accessory Cord...............................28 (page 6) are designed for performance-minded climbers going Webbing ........................................30 light and fast. We’ve also expanded our Canyoneering line by Specialty Products..........................32 adding a new rope and several cord items to our very popular Specifications ................................34 CanyonTech Series. The Canyon C-IVTM (page 20) is designed specifically for very technical canyon descents. Sterling is proud to make high-quality products that help you safely reach your summits. Thank you and climb safe. ABOVE: Dave Sharratt completing the FA of Ashoka’s Pillar on Mount Mahindra, Miyar Valley, India. Freddie Wilkinson photo. 2 | sterling rope company | volume 20 www.sterlingrope.com www.sterlingrope.com sterling rope company | volume 20 | 3 Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:54 PM Page 4 Fusion Series Fusion series ropes are engineered for the climber who is pushing his or her limits. Years of research and development went into this series to achieve the ideal dynamics of performance. Each rope has an innovative construction to create the important balance of lightweight and durability, making them the preferred choice of Sterling athletes. NanoTM 9.2mm Ultimate in high performance skinny ropes. • Rope of choice for professional guides, Sterling team members, and advanced climbers • Lightweight, skinny • Delivers high-end performance • Low impact force • Features dry sheath and DryCoreTM blue yellow purple purple bicolor UIAA Falls: 6 Impact Force: 8.4kN Weight: 52.6g/m Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m “I’ve used Sterling ropes for years. They’re a part of my everyday life. It’s the only rope I use, and I know that every try is secure. I am able to focus solely on the challenge at hand...sending. I use these ropes SO hard it’s amazing to me how well they last. When it’s all about the send and trying hard, the right rope is essential, and Sterling is my rope of choice.” JOE KINDER, STERLING ROPE ATHLETE & AMBASSADOR Sterling Athlete and Ambassador Joe Kinder using a Nano on the first ascent of Golden Direct 5.14c/d, Cathedral, UT. Keith Ladzinski photo. www.sterlingrope.com sterling rope company | volume 20 | 5 Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:55 PM Page 6 IonTM 9.5mm NEW! “Ice climbs constantly Unique sheath design and change according to innovative core construction . • High performance, temperatures and the lightweight rope water flow. In this lies • Low impact force the magic of this • Features dry sheath and DryCoreTM ephemeral element. This • Thin, but not scary thin is what drew me to ice climbing 10 years ago Wind (blue) Fire (red) and this is still what Earth (green) draws me to it now. UIAA Falls: 5 Impact Force: 8.4kN On ice climbs, gear is as Weight: 60g/m important as technique. Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m And a dry rope is the one element that can’t be compromised. It will keep you safe climbing up and you want it dry NitroTM 9.8mm to get off the climb. This Proven choice for all-around is why I choose Sterling high performance climbing. Ropes. It’s the only rope • Unique sheath construction for added durability that comes standard • Soft catch with DryCore. My rope TM • Features DryCore stays dry and functional pink throughout the climb.” tan CAROLINE GEORGE red STERLING ROPE AMBASSADOR UIAA Falls: 5 Impact Force: 9.0kN Weight: 62g/m Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m Sterling Rope Athlete and Ambassador Caroline George on Storm Mountain Falls WI4, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT. Andrew Burr photo. Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:55 PM Page 8 marathon Series The first MarathonTM rope was created for guide use almost 15 years ago. The proposal was to design a super-durable rope that could withstand the demands of guided work. Our development led to a rope with a thicker sheath braided over our proprietary DryCoreTM. After a year of field-testing and tweaking, we had the Marathon. Today, the Marathon is still one of our best selling ropes due to the superior handling and abrasion-resistant sheath, which is our hallmark for durability and performance. Jessa Goebel sends Leave It to Jesus 5.11, New River Gorge, WV. Matt Stark photo. Marathon Pro 10.1mm Featuring fused rope ends — standard on all Sterling ropes. Sport 10.4mm Ultra 10.7mm Mega 11.2mm Designed to be light and versatile, yet Workhorse of the Marathon series. Extra durability without sacrificing Pro 10.1mm still very durable with great handling. Great for top-roping, guiding and performance. Best performing, most durable sport rope out there! • One of our most popular ropes challenge courses. • Low impact force • Most popular rope in the Marathon series • Low static and dynamic elongation • Low impact force • Features DryCoreTM • Has performed well on more routes than any other rope in our history • Features DryCoreTM • Features DryCoreTM • Low impact force • Features DryCoreTM red yellow hunter red yellow green orange blue hunter biathlon burnt orange purple purple biathlon yellow biathlon black biathlon UIAA Falls: 6 red biathlon blue orange olive drab black Impact Force: 8.6kN UIAA Falls: 7 UIAA Falls: 8 UIAA Falls: 9 Weight: 63g/m Impact Force: 9.3kN Impact Force: 8.6kN Impact Force: 8.7kN Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m 8 | sterling rope company | volume 20 www.sterlingrope.com www.sterlingrope.com sterling rope company | volume 20 | 9 Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:56 PM Page 10 Evolution Series The Evolution series started it all back in 1993 with our release of the first 10.2mm instead of the standard 10.5mm. Since then, the Evolution series has expanded to four different diameters that have evolved in design. The sheath and core construction of Evolution ropes were engineered for the ideal balance of low impact force, lightweight, and high fall ratings, all of which make these ropes incredibly durable. The smooth sheath produces less drag through gear and over rock, allowing for an easier clip. Tested worldwide under extreme conditions, these ropes continue to prove to be the right rope for any climb. Evolution Velocity 9.8mm VelocityTM 9.8mm A versatile rope that is lightweight with a smooth sheath for reduced rope drag. • One of Sterling’s most popular ropes • Low impact force • Features DryCore™ orange silver blue green brown silver bicolor blue bicolor UIAA Falls: 6 Impact Force: 8.8kN Weight: 62g/m Lengths: 60m, 70m & 80m Toni Arbones on Tante Mara 7b, Siurana, Spain. Simon Carter photo. www.sterlingrope.com sterling rope company | volume 20 | 11 Sterling_Climbing_2008_Rel4:Layout 1 7/25/2008 9:56 PM Page 12 1993...2008 [ sterling’s story ] Fifteen years ago life was heading to the extremes. Every major news and sport publication featured outdoor activities that were “on the edge,” and climbing was center stage. Extreme sports were not only getting great amounts of publicity, they were growing quickly.