The rope would not be as thick from head to toe.
According to calculations, the tension of the cable belt was the strongest in the synchronous orbit, so it would be the thickest there, and then it would become thinner to save weight.
In the real world, technological development was limited. The material of the cable was also the biggest factor hindering the development of the space elevator.
None of the materials known to mankind could reach the strength/weight ratio required by the space elevator.
Dr. Gao's technology included a complete and complete carbon nano tube technology. The endurance and tension of the carbon nano tubes produced by this technology had reached the standard of carrying a space elevator, and they could be pulled into a cable.
The elevator cabin was also very important.
Anyone who had watched the movie Wandering Dog 2 would know that it was the part where one climbed on the rope.