Goldline was a fairly evolved climbing rope. That manila rope, I later learned, came from a rope spool that had been condemned by the telephone company. My first real climbing rope was 7/16 white laid nylon. Goldline was the next evolution, and, although elastic, as you noticed, at least it didn't break.

When I price today's full featured ropes, and their stratospheric prices, I recall my first real climbing rope cost all of $20 from REI. Yes, I am ancient...