Sterling Marathon Mega Rope - 11.2mm - 2010 BCS

i'm posted in thailand and when climbing the sharp limestone at crazy horse or down in krabi, i like the durable sheath, 70m (dry, of course) length and lightweight of this rope. it's not the softest handling rope in the world, but hey, i knew exactly what rope i wanted and for what purpose.

some reviewer expressed dismay that it wasn't more colorful. mine is bright frickin orange - people actually commented on how bright it was.

other reviewers have expressed this, but it's worth mentioning again... despite the product description (when i bought it in July), the 70m rope does NOT have a center mark or dual-pattern (although, i think that backcountry may have deleted this in the description).

i'm posted in thailand and when climbing the sharp limestone at crazy horse or down in krabi, i like the durable sheath, 70m (dry, of course) length and lightweight of this rope. it's not the softest handling rope in the world, but hey, i knew exactly what rope i wanted and for what purpose.

some reviewer expressed dismay that it wasn't more colorful. mine is bright frickin orange - people actually commented on how bright it was.

other reviewers have expressed this, but it's worth mentioning again... despite the product description (when i bought it in July), the 70m rope does NOT have a center mark or dual-pattern (although, i think that backcountry may have deleted this in the description).

Just recently bought this bad boy for our trip to Red Rocks. Flows smooth, is super light, and easy to see. Hammered the hell out of this rope on many pitches of Trad and it looks as good as new. Also nice for cragging. Super durable, smooth through belay devices and hands. The one downfall is that my rope has no center mark?? Maybe just a defect?

I have had my marathon rope for 9 years. Now, it is not my only rope, but it has above and beyond seen the most abuse. I have used it for trad in J-Tree, big wall in the Valley, desert climbs in red rocks and even alpine routes in the Eastern Sierra and CO. I have owned a lot of ropes and worked with a lot of ropes so I have a good understanding of rope needs.

Pros: very durable, dry core and dry sheath (on dry model), great weave and good hand.

I have worked as an AMGA guide so a lot of people have put their hands on this rope. You would think that would be prone to kink, but no so. The way Sterling weaves their ropes helps to prevent this.

Cons: all I can think of is that I wish these ropes were available in bright colors.

Overall, this is the best rope I have ever owned. I am going to buy another marathon soon, not because the one I own is worn out in any way, it's just on the upper end of how long I like to own a rope.