Decided to bring this to OOC since it may prompt player discussion:
I would suggest using the rope, and perhaps the first person can drive in pitons (roughly every three feet?) to double as handholds, so that the last person (whoever has the best stats for it) can untie the rope and climb down with the aid of the holds?
That way we don't lose or leave the rope, and if pitons are roughly every three feet that will use 6 of my 12. (I'd say leave those, so if we have to backtrack it should be a little easier for someone to climb back up with the rope.)
Thoughts?