Rock Climbing Fall Factor

This Rock Climbing Fall Factor equation computes the Fall Factor, a unit of measure used in the testing of modern rock climbing ropes.

The inputs are d and L:

• d = the distance the climber is above the last piece of protection and thus the half the distance of a potential fall, f.
• L = the length of rope between the belay point and the climber

The fall factor is a unit-less and relative measure of the severity of a fall, the force it generates, and the potential damage that could be inflicted on the rope by the forces of a fall.