I know this topic has been discussed before, but has anyone successfully located a source for the 5mm pure spectra cord recommended for use in caving footloops by Al Warild? The fact that we can't seem to get this stuff in the states has been driving me crazy.
@ I know IMO had some at one point, and that Mark Passerby and Scott McCrea had bought some from there. But I talked to Nina and she said she wouldn't be getting any more. This drives me crazy insane, since both Mark and Scott have told me how their frog stroke is much more efficient with a zero-stretch footloop and how great these are.
@ Black Diamond, the importer for Beal, doesn't appear to import this particular product, confirmed via an email to Black Diamond and by having a friend who works for an outdoor outfitter contact her BD rep.
@ Spectra seems to be used in several marine applications, but not with a kernmantle construction.
@ MTDE sells two types of pre-made spectra footloops specifically for caving, but with the current exchange rate and shipping cost I figured out it would be $47 for me to order one! I can't see spending $47 on a footloop (to replace one that cost me $0) and then attaching it to a $58 ascender.
@ I see the 5.5mm Bluewater and Beal stuff online in various places, but it's a blend, not the pure stuff.
@ I have found Dyneema/Spectra/HMPE core kernmantle rope/cord, but in all cases it has a polyester sheath, which defeats the purpose of Spectra's abrasion resistance for caving use.
@ I see super lightweight stuff everywhere - hollow core for ultralight tent lines, braided for lifting bear bags, etc etc. But nowhere is there 5mm kernmantle spectra core, spectra sheath cord like that shown here on Beal's site.
Am I just going to have to give up on ever finding this?