Best alpine rope

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

We have been using these ropes extensively at my guide service and have been amazed at the durability and lasting water repellency. I have also used this rope personally climbing everywhere from thousands of feet of granite rock climbing in Patagonia to long ice climbs in Alaska and wet climbs on Mt baker. It excels in all areas where weight and supple handling is a priority. It will be my go to climbing rope for a long time.

Connor Chilcott

Much, much heavier than expected!

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I'm surprised by the other reviews. My first thought when I pulled it out of the box was "Wow. That feels heavier than my other ropes." Right out of the box, my Beal Opera 8.5 mm 70 m rope weighs in at nearly nine pounds (8 lbs 14.6 oz), which by my math, comes out to about 57.7 g/m, not the 48g/m in the Beal spec. That's fully 20% heavier than Beal claims. By comparison, on the same scale, my Mammut 9.8 mm 60 m rope weighs in at 8 lbs 10.8 oz (which comes out to 65.5 g/m, very close to the Mammut spec of 64 g/m). I have to guess that it you're looking for a super-light rope for alpine routed deep in the back country, there must be a far lighter option.

Scott Catanzariti

Lightest single rope out

You can actually just read Case Turner's review below me but I can add on a little difference between the Beal joker and the Opera. I weighed the 60M Joker and the 60M Opera at a shop and they were only a pound difference. If you're wondering which to get the Opera is the lightest single rope and the Joker is really close to being the lightest single rope but possibly a little more durable because of the diameter.

Caleb Rio-Anderson

Single Rope!? YES.

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Get that prerequisite out of your head of fat ropes are stronger than thin ropes. Read the technical specification and understand what this rope can do at only 8.5 (UIAA falls and stretch for example). YES, this is a single rope and it's about as skinny as you can go and still get the security of fatter ropes without hauling around all that weight. Always default to manufactures rec commendation on when to retire a rope! This rope can easily double up as a twin or a half if need be. This is my alpine rope and will become my ice rope this winter (thank you Beal for your amazing dry treatment technology). - 48 grams per meter - Received high praise for the OR 2017 Summer Show! - Super soft and pliable Word to the wise, make sure to double check the device you use with this diameter. For me, I love throwing this rope into the Edelrid Mega Jul Belay Device. Get this rope when weight counts! If the thinness of this rope makes you nervous but you have similar objectives like me, I'd suggest the 9.1 Beal Joker.

Case Turner

For when light and fast is key

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

This rope is clutch for alpine adventures, traverses, and the like. I used this on a very moderate ridge link up where i needed a rope for a few short stretches of harder climbing, and then it was either packed away or used simul climbing. It works great as a single line, even for it's diameter, and I've thought that if i ever had to climb a pitch with it that would expose the rope to any sharp edges or a any spots that could cause wear, I could just tie into both ends and have my partner belay me like twin ropes, and have him tie in with a bight to second. A very versatile tool for the alpine and for long approaches where weight matters - It's also dry treated and ready to rock.

Alex Quitiquit