Rock climbing, like hiking, is a widely practiced sport in its own right. The essentials of rock climbing are often learned on local cliffs, where the teamwork of mountaineering, the use of the rope, and the coordinated prerequisites of control and rhythm are mastered. Rope construction is a balancing act among many considerations; elongation, impact absorption,great handling, strength, and durability must all be considered. Rope performance cannot be quantified in test numbers. Ropes prove themselves in the field and on the rock.