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.