Rope, Mouse Wee? Bin it?

[Gerbil007]

So I've had some rope stored away in bags for a few months and unpacking has revealed a certain degree of mouse activity. I've carefully checked the rope for gnawing damage, but some sections that were in the bottom of the bag have had a lovely mouse piss marinade!
My first instinct is that this is now digging rope. What do you reckon?

 

[Simon Wilson]

If it looks OK use it. As you abseil feel for any irregularities. Mice would have to gnaw the sheath first and it would be really easy to spot.

 

[NewStuff]

If it looks OK use it. As you abseil feel for any irregularities. Mice would have to gnaw the sheath first and it would be really easy to spot.

Why would they chew it as a prerequisite to pissing on it?

I'm *sure* there was a test/report that had negative effects of sheep's urine on ropes, so you're right to be suspicious about mouse piddle.

 

[Bob Mehew]

To be honest I have no recollection of a sheep urine report so can't comment (other than my memory may be going - before someone else steps in to say it).  Checking the rope as you abseil seems slightly late if you do find something.  I do recommend as well as a tactile feel of the rope and a close visual inspection, one also does the rolling test (make a small loop - few inches in diameter and 'roll' it along the length of the rope - if one portion is damaged it often shows up as a different curve or indeed as a straight sided angle).  Not sure that helps.

 

[kay]

http://www.rockandice.com/gear-guide-tips/will-urine-harm-a-climbing-rope

http://rec.climbing.narkive.com/DCRd9TXm/cats-piss-and-marking-the-middle-of-your-rope
Unfortunately the full report referenced in this summary is no longer available

 

[Badlad]

My guess is that mouse pee will only have a small degenerative effect on your rope.  But there will always be that nagging doubt.  Having confidence in your gear is a large part of enjoying a trip and what, if a the top of a particularly exposed pitch head, your mind turns to the effects of mouse pee on rope. 

I'm sure the right thing to do is as you suggest.  Relegate the rope to other activities and find a better storage solution in future. 

 

[NewStuff]

To be honest I have no recollection of a sheep urine report so can't comment (other than my memory may be going - before someone else steps in to say it).

I'll see if I can dredge it up on the internet somewhere, it's bound to be out there unless it's *my* mind is playing tricks...

 

[AR]

Given urine is just a very dilute salt/urea solution, I don't think there'd be much risk of rope degeneration - personally, I'd just put it through the washing machine, check again for signs of chewing and if none, use it. However, it's your rope and the most important thing is whether you feel comfortable using it or not.

 

[Gollum]

I have worked at a centre where special needs kids have on occasion wet themselves while wearing a harness and we have washed and put it back into circulation with the other harness's. We were informed that the manufacturers had said that there was no issue of safety.
Maybe a check with the manufacturer or maybe Lyon have done some tests

 

[GT]

Have a read of this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4uwbctnwhqv8s7x/Industial%20Equipment%20Tests.pdf?dl=0 (page 20), then wash your rope (with plenty of fabric conditioner as DE has suggested in the past, check it thoroughly for chew marks or other issues (as Bob suggests), and away you go

 

[Simon Wilson]

Or just give it to me and I'll wash it.

 

[Wayland Smith]

Just ensure that wife or mother is out before using the washing machine.  :spank:

By the way for the men, washing machine operating instructions can be found on Google.  :-\

 

[Simon Wilson]

My guess is that mouse pee will only have a small degenerative effect on your rope.  But there will always be that nagging doubt.  Having confidence in your gear is a large part of enjoying a trip ...

I really understand why Badlad is saying that and I want to encourage people too. But it is by gaining experience that we gain confidence in gear. The ropes and anchors we use have a very big safety margin. The ropes are strong enough to lift an average size car and that includes ropes which are quite a long way from being brand new. It's the bits in between that we need to take most care with.

 

[HardenClimber3]

How much urine?
What pH?

Instinct says it will be fine...but:

There is some work suggesting a 30% reduction in UIAA falls if you soak rope overnight in urine (presumably human??).(not
The bmc rope care advice is something along the lines of possible effect, consider discarding...https://www.thebmc.co.uk/Download.aspx?id=77

Black Diamond suggest that a cat 'spraying' your rope is ok. (& have a direct quote and ref for the origin (in German) 30% reduction which otherwise just gets quoted (http://www.mediafire.com/download/ctvtgtx70pav822/QC+Lab_+From+the+Archives+__+Black+Diamond+Journal.pdf  )

I suspect if the rope has had a good soaking for an extended period you might not feels confident in the rope...

 

[mrodoc]

This rang an obscure bell for me so I quickly did some googling. Your rope might be a health hazard! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphocytic_choriomeningitis although probably as unlikely as a few drops of mouse urine eating through the rope.

 

[HardenClimber3]

If we're going down that track, leptospirosis is a risk too. (indeed, smaller rodents are probably a bigger risk (whatever risk is) than rats in the uk).

 

[Gerbil007]

Had a good look at it, dunked it in a stream, then popped down Rhino Rift on some of it this afternoon. I didn't die, or notice anything horrible going on with the rope, so I guess it'll do for a wee (see what I did there?) while yet.