I approached a couple of old fellows top-roping a route on the Niagara Escarpment. I asked if they would be long, as I wanted to do the route. They invited me to jump on their rope. I had a look. It was dirty and the sheath seemed to be detaching from the core. The end was kinked and frayed. How of ten do you change your ropes, I asked in horror.

"Every time they break. Why?"