I have decided that "ropes" is an elaborate hoax perp'ed by retailers trying to get rid of surplus gear... Here is how it works... For a small kickback, race directors list ropes as a race discipline and require a harness, slings or prussik loops, and belay devices... Then, just before the race, they cancel the ropes section. Everyone who bought the gear conveniently for sale on clearance at your local outdoor equiptment retailer is just relieved enough at the loss of extra weight in their pack to not complain... In addition, the leading adventure race rags like ASM publish pictures of impressive bluffs and canyons where they photoshop in pictures of elite racers. Each of these racers in return for their secrecy recieve lucrative deals from the climbing gear industry....

Of course, there was that *one* race where the ropes weren't cancelled shooting my theory, but I'm still gonna work it...