O.K. make me feel obsolescent. Packing horses, I use 60' of 5/8 silk manila for the diamond hitches and two 30' 1/2" scant silk Manila reatas ( no longer available). My packing horse is a retired roper.He is trained to resist rope tension, and I have actually belayed off him! Well belayed is a fancy way of saying I descended like a sack of spuds with legs and arms. In any case,regardless of what miracle material you choose: please secure a proper rope knife AND a marlinspike. All rope can get wet and frozen. the marlinspike will work those knots free. A sheepsfoot blade is nice if you hate self mutilation and a truly SHARP blade will cut through just as fast as sawing with serrations. I love my Myerchin folder. The blade is actually a semi sheepsfoot and quite usefull.Every material, twist ,weave and combination thereof has it's own peculiarities or 'life'. get an extra few feet, practice your knots and get to know it's FEEL. <br><br>