Eternity protect for the win - Mammut 9.8 Eternity Classic Dynamic Rope

This rope is one of the best first ropes you can buy. The protect treatment means rope washing is delayed an extra few trips, and the 9.8 size is the perfect balance for a new leader who needs fall protection instead of a skinny project sender. That being said, this rope's weight/strength ratio is just fine., totally easy to stick in your pack and hit the trail. I haven't experienced kinking, and the rope has remained easy to handle over the first year of its life. I'd highly recommend Mammut ropes. I'll be buying another in the next season or two.