Opera 8.5 mm

A big fan of their 60 m Beal Opera for multipitch; they knot the ends and plan descents around the shorter length.

After barely four pitches on a brand-new Opera, one rappel where the rope rubbed slightly on an edge left noticeable fuzzy sheath damage; they were surprised how delicate the sheath is compared with a 9.8 mm rope they had abused for years.

Loves their pair of 60 m Operas, used mainly for ice climbing; taking them on rock stripped the dry treatment very quickly, making them less ideal for ice afterwards, though still great on dry rock days.

Uses two Opera 8.5 mm ropes as doubles and says they work well, with the triple rating giving peace of mind; warns that the thin ropes stretch a lot in falls, so watch out for ledges.

Owned the same Opera (a 100 m bicolour) and used it until it was thrashed; considers sheath fuzz like that normal and fine.

Uses a pair of Beal Opera 8.5 triple-rated ropes for multipitch raps; finds them unbelievably thin and light, far smaller than their old Jokers.

Took a whipper on a Beal Opera used as a single at about 175 lb; it felt like any other whipper with no excessive stretch.