There’s a new tree climbing rope out that is different. It’s called “The Fly”. I’m not sure if it was named after an insect (as a child I had aspirations to become an entomologist) or it denotes the freedom of climbing high in a tree (the Peter Pan Effect). But it is a different rope from the multitudes of arborist ropes (many which are of fine quality) now being used. It’s made by a well standing rope manufacturer, New England Rope.

What makes it different? It is a static rope as far as elasticity is concerned yet has the property of being pliant, unlike stiff static ropes often used by cavers. It is made with fibers that resist abrasion which is a MUST if you climb with the traditional double rope technique (DRT). It is also very light and smaller in diameter- somewhere around 7/16. I forgot what mm size it is. Someone please correct me. The rope is also very pretty to look at- much like a rock climbers kernmantle rope (which you should NOT use in a tree! The exterior sheath will melt on your first DRT climb).

Here are some of the reports I am getting about the rope. Working arborists say it is harder to grip, being smaller in diameter. It is very light, which makes it easier to handle in the trees. One rainforest canopy climber said it dries very quickly, which is very important if you climb in a wet region like the rainforest.

One fair haired climber (red head) had a contact allergic reaction to the rope. He thinks it might be the red dye that made his hands break out. Now he climbs with gloves while using the rope.

I have not personally used the rope. I like the grip from a full half inch arborist rope (I use red candy stripe Yale XTP). Are there others who have used this rope? Please give us your feedback.

I have used Fly Rope for about 4 months.

I am relatively new to climbing, 3rd season. I mostly climb on Braided Safety Blue by New England Rope. I have also climbed on Blue Streak and 7/16"Sport Line. BTW, Fly is true 11 mm diameter.

My comments about Fly are: Rope is very supple even on first use. I also found it to grip extremely well. My experience with new rope is that it is waxy and a bit creepy on first use. Not so with Fly.

It is also very compact. I have pretty small hands, so the blake's hitch is 1/2 of a handful rather than a whole handful with 1/2" rope.

It also stays round. My experience with Sport Line or other non-cored rope is that it deforms as it is loaded in the blake's hitch. Fly acts just like cored arborist rope.

Bottom line, I like it. I am going to keep using it. I'll probably buy more. I can't find any downside to it.

Bob
Tree Climbing for ALL
www.arborquest.org

I ordered 150' of the Fly back at the beginning of September after reading so many good reports about it. Unfortunately, Isabelle hit and I am still waiting for it. I got a local supplier to call New England Ropes to send me a sample, which they did. Very nice stuff. Can't wait to climb on it.

Originally posted by Treeman
One fair haired climber (red head) had a contact allergic reaction to the rope. He thinks it might be the red dye that made his hands break out. Now he climbs with gloves while using the rope.

If there was an allergic reaction, it wouldn't have been from the dye. This rope (and practically all arborist CLIMBING lines) do not use a dye in the ropes that can rub off. Some arborist rigging lines (Samson Stable-Braid, for example) lose their color during use. The individual strands that make up the rope are red and will stay that way unless you change them or I guess they'll lose a bit of color due to UV exposure.

Many companies put a waxy coating on their ropes. This helps build a protective _layer_ that minimizes damage to the inner strands.

Fly is good stuff. 11mm....that way it will work on many mechanical devices (ascenders, etc) that weren't designed to be used with full half-inch ropes. Talk of the town is that other companies will soon follow suit and release their own versions of the Fly.

Right now it only comes in red and white. Yes, it is pretty! The best part is...it's spliceable!

This is a great lightweight rope would be nice if you have to carry it long distances to your favorite tree.

love
nick

At New Tribe we were debating whether to add The Fly to our Ropes selection, and right then Tengu called us with a glowing report about this rope. He's been on it for about 6 months, part of that time in the rainforest. Here's a great benefit he told us about: The Fly resists getting wet! It doesn't get soggy or heavy in wet conditions. Add that to all the other fine qualities New England has built into this rope, and you've got a winner. No other static rope is good for BOTH DRT and SRT. Something to think about.

So, of course, we are excited to ADD The Fly to our "line."

Happy and Safe Climbing,
Sophia

My brother, Joe of the Jungle, has used the Fly extensively in the rainforests and agrees with most of the positive points mentioned in other messages on this board. If Peter "Treeman" Jenkins will make this message board accessible to him, he will reply in person rather than making me do it for him.