Sterling Solid

What goes into the best Shannon Johnson Check out our NEW Climbing Rope video! Hear from top Sterling Athletes Angela Hawse and Kevin Jorgeson about their input, putting ropes to the test and why they stick with Sterling Rope Company … read more about Sterling Climbing Ropes:

3-sigma testing, determines the minimum break strength (mbs) of our ropes Sterling Rope uses 3-sigma testing, also known as the three-sigma rule, to evaluate and determine the minimum break strength (mbs) of our ropes. Three-sigma is … read more about What is 3-Sigma?

Sterling Athlete Rob Pizem A few weekends ago I made time to meet up with my friends Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall. They were on their now semi annual trip into Canyonlands National Park to work on new roof crack climbs and their me … read more about Piz Spends a Day with the Wideboyz

Rob Pizem Sterling Athlete Since bolting this climb in 2015, I have been struggling to open it up properly with a first free ascent. I was drawn to the climb because it splits a clean, slightly overhanging white and yellow wall with … read more about The Infinity Round Project

Back tie, also known as tieback, is a method for applying tension on an anchor in order to reduce or eliminate an undesirable leverage (moment) on that anchor. I was recently asked by Reed Thorne of Ropes that Rescue to test a particula … read more about Tie Back Testing: Which Method is Strongest?

After more than 15 years, Sterling brings David Egan from Perpetual Motion NW back on board as Independent Rep for Pacific Northwest Region. Sterling Rope Company, Inc. has signed Perpetual Motion NW, led by David Egan, as the indepe … read more about Press Release: Sterling Reunites with David Egan as Pacific Northwest Rep

Despite the heat warnings in Squamish and a thick smoke that filled the air from BC wildfires, we stuck with the plan to climb a line that deeply peaked my curiosity. Described as a “steep trad route that climbs right over a big rap … read more about Leslie Timms: Into the Mystic

Matt Hunt, Sterling Work Market Manager tells us about the features and benefits of the 3/8", 7/16" and 1/2" WorkPro static rope series. Ideal for rope access technicians, the WorkPro series ropes are fully-certified. R … read more about WorkPro Ropes for Industrial Safety

Choosing the right climbing rope As a Sterling Athlete Team member, I have the benefit of having as many as 12 ropes at any given time in my quiver. I know this is a luxury most don’t have, unless you are a Mountain Guide. If y … read more about How to choose the right climbing rope

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to use a lot of ropes. In that time, I have learned how to destroy them and how to make them last. Since ropes don’t grow on trees and due to the fact that all of us fall more than we lik … read more about How to Make Your Climbing Rope Last Longer

We climbed a route on the Father and Son’s Wall on Denali. It was a variation to ‘First Born’ the initial line of ascent which Eli Helmuth and Steve House climbed in 1995. Our climb took 73 hours on May 10-12, 2016. Af … read more about 73-Hour Adventure on the Father and Son's Wall in Denali

Rope rescue is essentially the act of accessing a patient, usually in someplace either far above or far below an area of safety. The critical job of providing medical care and support can not begin until the patient and rescuer are both … read more about Revolutionize your Rope Rescue Equipment with the Breakout Rope Bag and BiColor Static Rope

Tree care professionals use rope in a variety of ways every day, sometimes in applications the rope manufacturer may never have even imagined or intended; and no matter how skilled, talented, experienced, or smart a climber or branch ma … read more about Arbor Rigging: Knots, Hitches and "Do Nots"

Photo credit: Hurricane Media Revac USA is a training company specializing in Tactical Rope Access. We offer customized courses that are specific to each and every client based on their skills, the objective and equipment needed. … read more about A Glimpse into Revac USA Trainings

Absorption of water and contaminants changes the way dynamic ropes perform. It makes ropes heavier, affects their stretch and rebound characteristics, and makes them more prone to damage and increased rate of wear. The advanced treatme … read more about Sterling DryXP Climbing Ropes

Typical Indian Creek Splitter Indian Creek, known for its splitter cracks, has over 1,000 routes of all sizes and lengths. Problem solving for the leader includes what length of rope to carry or whether to carry a lead line and a tag … read more about Rope Choices for Climbing at Indian Creek

Why add a middle mark? At Sterling, we receive lots of questions about ways to safely and effectively mark the middle of the rope. Climbers have been using paint, dyes, sharpies, and other DIY solutions that can possibly degrade the f … read more about Frequently Asked Questions about Middle Marks

The simple answer is yes, they certainly can be. There are a couple of reasons why you want to keep your rope as dry as possible while climbing. Reason 1: Wet ropes lose their dynamic (stretchy) properties thereby decreasing the ove … read more about Are Wet and Icy Ropes Dangerous?

Bicolor and Bipattern Bumps It’s important to know where the middle of the rope is on a climbing rope, and the best way to determine the middle is to use a bicolor or bipattern rope. Sterling uses two different techniques for a … read more about Bicolor and Bipattern Bumps

Mount Moran view from Oxbow Bend beside Snake River Grand Teton, Wyoming "The Grand Teton is in my backyard. I love climbing and skiing this mountain and it was killing me to see all the trash on the mountain. So I thought I'd do so … read more about Mark Smiley Updates Anchors at Grand Teton

Many brands and styles of quickdraws (from the rock climbing world) on the market today come with rubber or elastic doodads (keepers) that keep the carabiners oriented properly. People have sometimes taken these doodads off the quickdra … read more about Use of a Keeper on the Chain Reactor is Not Recommended

Pamela Moulton Franco-American artist Pamela Moulton, a Franco-American artist currently based out of Portland, Maine weaves Sterling rope and fibers into her art installations. Her latest work, called the Interactive Map of Emotion … read more about Sterling Rope Takes New Shapes in the Form of Art

Craig Luebben Topher Tonahue With a goal of $25,000 by the end of 2018 and $50,000 by 2019, the 10-year anniversary of Luebben’s death, Sterling will kick-off the fundraising with a match initiative to encourage others to donat … read more about AMGA and Sterling Create Craig Luebben Education Fund

We're proud to have Sterling's world headquarters be a dog-friendly place. They make the offices more cheerful, social and lively. Here's your chance to get to know some of these pups a little better! Stella and Angus: Are we there y … read more about The Dogs of Sterling

Matt Hunt from Sterling talks about the Sterling WorkPro Series of Static Ropes. The WorkPro Series comes in 3/8", 7/16" and 1/2" for use in MRS or SRS systems for all arborists. Pick the one that best suits your needs. … read more about WorkPro Ropes for Arborists

We sat down with the talent and director of the award-winning FCX Fire Escape films for a look behind the curtain at what it was like to make these videos. Sterling: Who was more of a diva on set- the EMT’s or the Firefighters?D … read more about FCX Escape Systems: Q&A With Cast and Crew of the FCX Videos

At Sterling, we design the most technical and efficient escape systems for rapid egress and self-rescue. Sterling FCX Fire Escape Systems are available in over 36 custom kit configurations and seven UL-certified Fire Escape Systems to … read more about FCX Escape Systems: Unmatched Customization. Unparalleled Performance.

Frank Sanders is a professional rock climber and guide for over 45 years and has climbed Devils Tower thousands of times. This is his story about America's first National Monument. Video is produced by Great Big Story as part of their celebr … read more about The Power of Devils Tower

Paola on the first pitch of an unknown Unnamed route in the W. Fjords Iceland is a magical land, shaped by fire and ice, with 80% of it considered "wild"; most of the interior is uninhabitable. This winter, three Chicks guides and fi … read more about Nano IX: The Ideal Rope for Ice Climbing in Iceland

Benny Lieber Adventure Photo taken by Benny Lieber Sterling has come up with a truly ingenious solution for crevasse rescue, ideal for alpine guides and climbers traveling in glaciated terrain. The Pico Crevasse Rescue Kit has advant … read more about How to: Build a Snow Anchor for the Pico Crevasse Rescue Kit

The life-safety manufacturer that built the first ever 100% Technora® fire escape rope for FDNY, now offers the FCX Rescue Device; a competitively-priced and advanced self-rescue device that clearly puts the firefighter first. Stand … read more about Press Release: Sterling Gives Back to Fire Departments in Need

I love the concept of The Freedom to Focus, as it reminds me of what I’ve been working on in all my climbing pursuits this year, which is complete focus and absolute joy. A few years ago I realized I had strayed away from sport cl … read more about Ann Raber: Climbing with Joy

Photo credit: Jeff Rueppel I was trapped. I traced the two lines attached to my harness back to China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest’s floor 60 meters below and gradually realized that half ropes were much more difficult t … read more about Ben Rueck: Dental Floss and Shoe String

I turn around and see the flash of light as if the unforgivable curse, "Avada Kedavra," has just been uttered right next to me. I look out directly in front of me and a kilometer away I see the blinding bolt flicker and freeze in the sk … read more about Jesse Grupper: Lightning on the Mountain

Climb: Pure Imagination (Red River Gorge) @acutclimbing Photos by: Dylan Connole @dconnole8 "Set a Goal so big that you can't achieve it until you grow into the person who can." This has recently become my mantra in approaching dif … read more about Andy Cutler: Big Goals

Olivia Hsu, climbing 22 weeks pregnant, Cannibal Crag, Las Vegas, NV, Aero 9.2 mm. Photo: Botsy Phillips An elite-level climber, Olivia Hsu compares herself to her favorite Sterling rope: the Nano IX. “It’s light and str … read more about Few Things Stop Olivia Hsu. Including Pregnancy.

Sterling recently received General Use certification to NFPA 1983, 2017 for our AZTEK Elite system. All AZTEK Elite systems have been designated as a Mechanical Advantage Pulley System by UL and is certified to the Manufactured Systems … read more about The AZTEK System Receives NFPA Certification

Marina Inoue It’s important to purchase your life-safety equipment from respected and certified manufacturers. Part of understanding this significance is knowing whether products are certified, what the certifications mean and … read more about A Primer on Certifications

Our Ultimate Positioning Lanyard was developed in conjunction with NATS and is made from ultra-strong Technora® material with multiple attachments for secure positioning in a variety of configurations. In coordination with Ed Carpen … read more about Recommended Configurations for the Ultimate Positioning Lanyard

Rope Elongation One of the most critical elements in the specification of any rope is its measure of elongation: how much the rope stretches under varying degrees of load. Elongation is not a bad thing. For example, one good way to re … read more about Static Vs. Dynamic Ropes for Arbor Use

Personal Anchor Systems (PAS) replaced Daisy Chains years ago as superior solutions for anchoring yourself while cleaning anchors at the top of sport routes, setting up TR’s, rappelling, canyoneering, partner rescue and transition … read more about Gear Review: The Chain Reactor

The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) promotes the growth and protection of mountaineering and climbing worldwide by advancing safe and ethical mountain practices through the development of safety standards for … read more about UIAA Certifications

Designed to be a lightweight and durable rescue rope, the OpLux aids elite teams in rough, wet terrain. This rope allows for operations to be quick and nimble without compromising strength and ensuring safety in even the most challengin … read more about New Product: OpLux Tactical Rope

Self-rescue device puts control in your hands Our most advanced self-rescue device puts control in your hands — with superior descent modulation and over-pull protection. Click-to-neutral capability makes quick work of horizont … read more about Introducing the FCX

Sterling is dedicated to producing the best possible product, and that means researching and testing our products thoroughly. Some testing is required for certification, but that’s only the beginning. We submit our ropes to a batt … read more about Testing: Fire Escape Anchors

Sterling is dedicated to producing the best possible product, and that means researching and testing our products thoroughly. Some testing is required for certification, but that’s only the beginning. We submit our ropes to a batt … read more about Testing: Abrasion Resistance

Sterling Rope Company, Inc. unveils a Design Clinic project through Smith College’s Picker Engineering Program. As a leading US-manufacturing company, Sterling will work with a team of students for the 2016-2017 academic year to d … read more about Press Release: Collaborative Project with Smith College

The new CanyonLux rope and Blitz Bag cleverly deliver what advanced canyoneers have been asking for: light, rugged and packable gear that thrives in rough, wet, obstacle-ridden canyon environments. When used together, this rugged bag an … read more about New Products: CanyonLux Rope and Blitz Canyon Bag

Gym ReVO as the go-to top rope at Climb BCN Chris Sharma's gym in Barcelona, Spain The Gym ReVO is Sterling's new braided core, low-elongation gym rope specifically designed for high-volume use in climbing gyms as a top-rope belay. … read more about Introducing the New Gym ReVO

Sterling Team Athlete, Alex Megos with the Evolution Aero in orange This article was written by Dave Alie at Blister Gear Review. Evolution Aero Key Specifications: Diameter: 9.2 mm UIAA Falls: 7 Weight: 56 g/M Dynamic Elon … read more about A Review of the Evolution Aero

Sara Fleetwood Sterling Product Engineer When designing our new CanyonLux rope, we sought out expert canyoneers and guides to test the prototypes. We sent our rope engineers into the field to see, firsthand, how the ropes are used in … read more about Testing: The New CanyonLux

When you watch different groups of people all do the same thing, you start to think that may be the best way to do it. Through years of doing personal escape training with firefighters, we began to notice that they all removed the equip … read more about Product Feature: Sterling Escape Kit Pocket Bag

Mark Smiley Sterling Team Athlete The East Buttress of Middle Triple Peak has been on our mind for a while. Janelle and I both knew it would be one of the hardest climbs on the Fifty Classic Climbs of North America list. Royal Robbin … read more about Mark Smiley: East Buttress, Middle-Triple Peak

Patric Santerre Industrial Designer-Architect The athleticism of an arborist swinging high in a tree cutting dead branches is impressive, as is a firefighter hanging from a building or ladder in a daring life-safety rescue. What they … read more about The New Sterling Training Center

Sterling Products Made in the USA At Sterling, we’re proud to design and produce all of our rope products under one roof in Biddeford, ME. We’re equally proud of the network of US-based vendors and suppliers that we work … read more about Made in USA: Patriotic and Pragmatic

Drop testing for dynamic ropes Most standards for rope construction contain a requirement for drop testing. A drop test involves anchoring one end of the rope to test frame or tower and the other to a mass, raising the mass to a cert … read more about Sterling R&D Report: An Overview on Drop Testing

Outdoor Gear Lab has awarded Sterling’s Fusion Nano IX and Marathon Pro the 2015 “Top Pick” award as well as the Evolution Velocity the 2015 “Best Buy” award. To get the full review and comparison to all ro … read more about Three Sterling Ropes Win Outdoor Gear Lab Awards

Introducing our latest breakthrough product for the arbor market: the Scion Climbing Line. The 11.5 mm Scion is a high-strength, low-elongation climbing line ideal for Doubled Rope Technique (DdRT) and Single Rope Technique (SRS). The S … read more about Product Feature: Scion Arbor Climbing Line

As part of our product development and improvement process, this past spring I attended an ice and swiftwater rescue class. This course was taught by Lifesaving Resources, a nationally recognized training company that is based right in … read more about Ice and Swiftwater Rescue Training

Here at Sterling, we appreciate the power of gravity and your need to confront it safely. We build our products to stand up to the rigors of climbing and we take that level of trust very seriously. Ropes, however, do not last fore … read more about Four Easy Rope Care Techniques

Mark Smiley Sterling Team Athlete “Oh the North Face aye, that’s a pretty hard route, and it is not in good climbing condition now,” the gear shop employee said with a hint of who-are-you-and-do-you-have-the-search- … read more about Mark Smiley: Oh The North Face, Aye

As part of new product development and ongoing product testing, we conducted a series of static and dynamic tests of popular hitches commonly used in the arbor industry. The purpose of the testing was to provide comparative data for the … read more about Testing: Friction Hitch Cords