Big Wall Climbing
Big Wall climbing originated in Yosemite National Park, where El Capitan’s 3,000-foot walls offer multi-pitch routes such as “The Nose”, “Zodiac” and “Freerider”. These climbs often require overnight stays on portaledges—small deployable hanging tents suspended from the wall.
Big wall climbing demands specialized equipment. Ropes must have high abrasion resistance, a high sheath proportion for safety margins, minimal weight, and dry treatment for weather protection. MAXIM’s Apex rope combines these qualities for big wall work. Experienced climbers also favor the Airliner, Pinnacle and Glider series for their lightweight characteristics that reduce pack weight.
Static ropes like the Personal Escape Rope facilitate equipment hauling between pitches and can serve as tag lines for experienced climbers, potentially reducing the number of rappels needed.
Recommended Ropes for Big Wall Climbing
Apex
MAXIM® Apex is the workhorse of the MAXIM product line. Designed for top rope, big wall, trad climbing or for working projects and developing routes, this traditional pattern climbing rope meets the mark of high performance and a high UIAA fall rating.
Glider
The 9.9mm Glider is the most popular of the entire MAXIM line. We’ve re-designed the product to have some great new features while retaining those that are most important to climbers.
Pinnacle
The Pinnacle range has now transitioned to a highly durable 9.4mm rope that still handles as well as the previous version. The PFC/PFAS free sheath of this rope has the same slick handling that you have come to expect from our Pinnacle line.
Airliner
The MAXIM Airliner is ultra-light, ultra-skinny and perfect for quick ascents with long pitches, multi day climbs or areas with long approaches. The Airliner is an indestructible rope that is triple certified as a single, twin and half rope. Using this skinny climbing rope is the quickest way to save some weight.
Personal Escape Rope
MAXIM® has created a 7mm Personal Escape Rope. Its stiff 100%; nylon construction is engineered for use as a haul line or tag line as well as a small rappel rope for lengthening your raps or as an emergency rappel line when you need to bail out.