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Hello! I hope I'm logged in correctly for this... if not, I apologize.

I want to build a 20 foot high rope climb using Manilla Climbing Rope for workout/excercize purposes, but I have zero building experiance, and don't know how to build an independant climbing piece like this.

I don't have a building to attach this to, so it will need to support it's own (and mine!) weight, and I weight about 180.

I don't know what other kind of information I would need to give, so if someone can help, I would appreciate it, as well as if I can answer any other questions, and if anyone also has some suggested safety ideas, that would also be appreciated.

-Chris

ok chris are you serious? i am goig to assume you have nada, place to hang a rope. you could go to the gym. or lets build an a-frame.you will need to have 3 21ft sections of sch 40 pipe delivered to your house.you will need a shackle. and pully. able to support 250 lbs.
drill a 1 inch hole in each pipe 6 inchs from the end.put a 3/4 x10inch bolt thru the holes and put shackle on there get some buddies to help stand it up. don't forget to put the pully on the shackle. rule ot thumb on the angle of the legs. 25% 20 ft pole equals each pole back 5 ft from center. dig a two ft hole under each leg and pour with concrete. how to make a rope ladder. go to the gym and look at theres. or google it tie a knot every two ft. hook to pully

I've read frodo's reply several times and still can not figure out what he's trying to say. Sch 40 PVC is not ever suppost to be left expost to the sun or it becomes brittle, it has 0 load carrying ability and would sag soon under it's own weight.
Go to any Lowes or Home Depot and look at the swing sets outside on display. Build the same style frame or build one that looks like a Tee P frame and just install a rope instead of a swing.
Manila rope will rot, mold up if left out side and is pretty scratchy on the hands and legs.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joecaption,

the 3 sections of 21 ft sch 40
are steel pipe, not pvc.
he said he wanted something 20 ft tall
this will be only around 15 ft after it is set up. the pully is for him to lower and raise the
the rope.
i apolgise i did not make this clear.steel pipe comes in 21ft lengths
and pvc comes in 20 ft lengths

Although the OP "Chris", is probably long gone to other sites, I believe what he refered to as a climbing rope is very different from a rope ladder?

School gyms used to have climbing ropes here (before several law suits for broken ankles or leg injuries). Basicly, they were a heavy, thick rope that you climbed, hand over hand, locking your stocking feet together between lifts. Some have knots to help with gripping, ours did not. Usually had a round wooden plate at the top, that was your goal to get an A.

I'm not long gone

In honesty, I saw the length of time it took for a general response, so I just waited.

As for the rope climb, thanks for the advice! I work at a home depot now so getting the pieces shouldn't be too hard, but I like the idea of getting a frame similar to one of the swing sets.

Glad you are still around!
I am also thinking that some of the natural fiber ropes can be bees wax treated? This would make them a bit easier on the hands, and delay fraying problems, but not affect the grip.

The problems with the kids injuries usually stemmed from them jumping down from too high a point on the rope (after they wore their arms out from climbing to the top). So be aware to mark a spot on the rope, that is a safe height to drop from, so you don't have to keep looking down to judge? (and perhaps consider a padded landing spot too, just in case)

Happy climbing.

yes..glad your still around...a swing set frame would be easier. 20 foot tall? you could
have 2 or 3 different type of climbing devices in a row!! a rope maybe a rope ladder
rope ladders are not easy to climb.and maybe a zip line, to a nearby tree.