Middle mark on dark rope

So I'm a fucking idiot and picked up a dark purple Beal Joker which basically has an imperceptible middle mark. Anyone with experience marking a dark rope with something other than black sharpie? Y'all think a silver or other color sharpie would work on the dark rope, or over top of the existing (black) middle mark? 

Take white thread and a sewing needle and do some basic weaving of the thread through the sheath at the middle of the rope a few times around

I have tried all types of middle marks.  This is my favorite by far.  You can feel the mark go by when threading the rappel.  You can also see the mark when it is 20 feet above you as you belay.  It feeds easily through all devices.  Just weave the string into the sheath with a embroidery needle.  You can use nylon string or thread but the longest lasting is dyneema fishing line.  Search for UHMWPE fishing line.  That is the generic name for dyneema.  AliExpress has a lot of choices Here is a typical listing.  Get line in the 0.5mm diameter size range.  If rated by weight, anywhere from 65-100lbs is a good size range.  You can order it domestically also.

Jordan Daywrote:

I have tried all types of middle marks.  This is my favorite by far.  You can feel the mark go by when threading the rappel.  You can also see the mark when it is 20 feet above you as you belay.  It feeds easily through all devices.  Just weave the string into the sheath with a embroidery needle.  You can use nylon string or thread but the longest lasting is dyneema fishing line.  Search for UHMWPE fishing line.  That is the generic name for dyneema.  AliExpress has a lot of choices Here is a typical listing.  Get line in the 0.5mm diameter size range.  If rated by weight, anywhere from 65-100lbs is a good size range.  You can order it domestically also.

That’s a pretty cool idea. Have you encountered any potential drawbacks at all? 

No drawbacks, you have to go pretty crazy to make it difficult to pass through the belay device.

I use the same method to repair minor sheath boo-boos.  This takes some practice.  Try it on a retired rope first.  Just don't make any big tight lumps.

Jordan Daywrote:

No drawbacks, you have to go pretty crazy to make it difficult to pass through the belay device.

You can scare the shit out of your new friends by making them think your rope is falling apart as they lower off.

After you rig up the first rappel, rub a handful of chalk on the middle. It will last for a while. I used to do this a lot before it became common for ropes to have middle marks.

Shaun Johnsonwrote:

After you rig up the first rappel, rub a handful of chalk on the middle. It will last for a while. I used to do this a lot before it became common for ropes to have middle marks.

Not recommended. This weakens the rope. There's a video about it; Mammut maybe.

Cosmic Hotdogwrote:

Take white thread and a sewing needle and do some basic weaving of the thread through the sheath at the middle of the rope a few times around

I do this with all my ropes the day I get them no matter what color they are. The thread gets black from use but you always can feel it with your fingers as you feed the rope so it’s better than a visual marker. 

Jay Goodwinwrote:

Not recommended. This weakens the rope. There's a video about it; Mammut maybe.

Interesting. That does make sense. 

Damn! I just found the video. This blew my mind!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url= youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DVjN…;ved=2ahUKEwjCpN-4nqWRAxWrLEQIHZ_pJiAQwqsBegQIFhAB&usg=AOvVaw2LpDObp9TOywV-bq3zKRS6

Can't you just use a silver or white sharpie?

Gene Bordsonwrote:

Can't you just use a silver or white sharpie?

Silver Sharpie ink wears off of stuff really fast.

Never seen a white Sharpie....

I've used white electrical tape but you have to occasionally reapply it because it can bunch up and is annoying to pass. 

Ben Zartmanwrote:

Silver Sharpie ink wears off of stuff really fast.

Never seen a white Sharpie....

Yeah. I feel like most colors fade way quicker than black on ropes. I did a red stripe (edding textile marker) near the ends of one of my white ropes and they were mostly gone after like 4 climbs... There's for sure white sharpies but not sure if it's a different chemistry.. There's definitely white textile markers, but yeah more frequent re-application likely required. Stitching is probably the best long term option.

I only had basic sewing thread so I did this and it lasted for a couple years. Only sew shallow passes through the sheath, not through the core.

I really like that I can feel the thread when it passes through my hand while belaying / lowering. I probably made the strands too long, like half this length is enough. 

Brighter / more durable thread would be better, but I'd be hesitant to use much thicker. I didn't feel like buying anything so just used what I had.  

Jordan Daywrote:

I have tried all types of middle marks.  This is my favorite by far.  You can feel the mark go by when threading the rappel.  You can also see the mark when it is 20 feet above you as you belay.  It feeds easily through all devices.  Just weave the string into the sheath with a embroidery needle.  You can use nylon string or thread but the longest lasting is dyneema fishing line.  Search for UHMWPE fishing line.  That is the generic name for dyneema.  AliExpress has a lot of choices Here is a typical listing.  Get line in the 0.5mm diameter size range.  If rated by weight, anywhere from 65-100lbs is a good size range.  You can order it domestically also.

Thank you for this! I'm a hobbyist crocheter and didn't even think to weave some thread through the sheath. I have some hemp that should hold up pretty well (I use it to make shoe scrubbers, pot scrubbers and other cleaning tools). Weird and free, I like it.

Jordan Daywrote:

I have tried all types of middle marks.  This is my favorite by far.  You can feel the mark go by when threading the rappel.  You can also see the mark when it is 20 feet above you as you belay.  It feeds easily through all devices.  Just weave the string into the sheath with a embroidery needle.  You can use nylon string or thread but the longest lasting is dyneema fishing line.  Search for UHMWPE fishing line.  That is the generic name for dyneema.  AliExpress has a lot of choices Here is a typical listing.  Get line in the 0.5mm diameter size range.  If rated by weight, anywhere from 65-100lbs is a good size range.  You can order it domestically also.

I've been pretty happy with using dental floss in a similar manner.

Edelrid has done testing and recommends the Edding 3000 permanent marker. I used it to add smaller 10 meter marks on my rope for use on long multi-pitches.  

They don't sell a white marker, but they sell some bright colors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGb4ZNWTK3s 

I did this with bright yellow synthetic embroidery thread

You don't really need a middle mark. When setting up a rap, pull one end through the ring, match the ends and tie your rap knot. Then pay both ends thorough the ring together. Keep the knot handy and let the slack pay out if it is a clean drop, or stack it if there are ledges, trees or other obstacles. You'll end up with a big loop hanging half way down the rap. If it's a clean drop, toss the knot, if not retain the knot on your harness and rap until it makes sense to drop the remainder of the rope. Setting up a rap this way reduces tangles, hangups, and provides for better control of the rope.

I admit I lack the sophistication and nimble fingers for thread-and-needle solutions these days. Also, that takes planning. My method is simple, fast, and very effective. I almost always carry a small roll of 1/2" medical tape with me while out climbing.

https://photos.fife.usercontent.google.com/pw/AP1GczOFXstOZqYMDyPVXxW-jp-GcWeqk1dZqVAPLPNXElDfiTzbV9KBgE0-CA=w421-h750-s-no-gm

Advantages

• Extremely fast. I’ve replaced a worn middle marker while belaying — just holding the brake strand and wrapping a quick layer. Takes seconds and doesn’t disrupt the belay.

• Highly visible. Even a brand-new factory middle mark can disappear in shadows; the tape pops in any lighting.

• Tactile. You can feel it instantly when the rope runs through your hand, so I often don’t even need to look for the middle.

• Light resistance = a cue. The thin tape doesn’t stiffen the rope, but it adds just enough friction that when I’m belaying a leader, it reminds me to call up, “Midway!”

Pro tips

• Don’t use anything wider than ½" — wider tape will noticeably stiffen the rope and create extra drag through a GriGri or ATC.

• Use a thin tape that sticks well to itself. Even electrical tape can feel too thick and too wide.

• When wrapping, overlap only about ¼ of a turn. More overlap = unnecessary bulk.

• Wrap under tension so the tape stretches and “molds” into the rope sheath.

• I usually make two (on both sides of the factory middle marks) as they can fall off at different times.