Rope comprising means for indicating the approach to the end of the rope and corresponding method

A rope (10) has a stiffening mechanism (14) applied at or near its end (12) to warn a user moving along the rope that he is approaching its end. The stiffening mechanism (14) can take a variety of forms such as a rigid collar (16) which fits over the rope. The collar may be made of plastic or metal and may be fixed in position using an adhesive or by crimping. Other forms of stiffening mechanism include: a rod (20, Fig. 5 ) inserted into the rope, a collar (26, Fig. 9 ) placed between an outer sheath and an inner core of said rope, and, where the rope is made from strands or woven fibers, the stiffening mechanism may comprise the fibers in said segment being adhered to one another by an adhesive or the application of heat. Methods of placing an indicating indicia proximate the end of a rope are also disclosed.