Historically, climbing ropes were made from natural materials like hemp and sisal. However, the first nylon ropes were introduced in the 1950s, marking a breakthrough in the industry.
In 1963, Roca once again set the pace in the rope manufacturing sector, launching the first polyamide climbing rope manufactured in Spain. Fifteen years before conquering the first eight-thousander in Spain, José Manuel Anglada had lent his rope to a friend. Unfortunately, the rope deteriorated and his friend couldn’t afford to buy a new one, so he approached another colleague, Joan Roca, and asked him to make an identical rope. This event marked the beginning of the close and lasting relationship between Roca and the world of climbing in Spain.
Two years later, in 1965, the first rope with a change of pattern in the centre would make climbing manoeuvres easier. In 1968, Roca expanded its catalogue with several auxiliary ropes.
One of Roca’s most important milestones as a climbing rope manufacturer was meeting the standards of the Mountain Safety Commission in 1970. In this way, it became the first firm in Spain to get approval from the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA).
In the 1980s, the Catalan company also worked to develop other products, such as the first polyamide webbing, the first waterproof rope on the market and the first aramid rope for use in the mountains as an auxiliary rope.
This is how Roca’s first 100 years passed.