I just finished trying out my brand new Sterling HTP rope, and now I finally understand what all the fuss was about. This rope rocks!! It's my first static rope, so don't think this is an expert opinion -- in fact, maybe the features I like so much are common to most ropes!

Anyway, this stuff is so nice to ascend on, it's hard to believe. It feels so much more energy efficient, and it self-tends through hardware so much better. I tried it with both Treefrog and Yo-yo systems, and it did well at both.

Knotability seems good for a stiff rope, although I didn't bother trying a Blake's on it. Knots seem to set up nice and snug, yet untie readily -- just like I'm used to with arborist ropes.

Descending seemed okay with a Grigri (that's all I tried today). It's a little touchy -- not real confidence inspiring, but not scary, either. That's how I felt about the Grigri in general when I first used it, so my guess is that after a short period of acclimatization, all will seem good.

Now all I need is an expedition to a great big tree to really make this rope pay for itself!

Before I go, I really must pass on a word about the place I bought the rope from: C&C Outdoors, in Tennessee. You know how sometimes you stumble upon a business that offers such great service, such personalized attention, that you just have to tell everyone about it? Well, this place isn't one of them! In terms of living up to the commitments made to customers on their website, this business stands head and shoulders below the rest. Be forewarned!! (At least the price was decent. )

Yep, nice rope. Like climbing on a steel cable as far as stretch goes, but flexes when unloaded to make knot tying easy. Not all static ropes are like this. I've climbed on PMI "EZ bend" - it's noticeably springy and something of a chore to knot. I prefer to rope-walk up and use a rack on a spider rig coming down; the Grigri seems twitchier on this rope than on Chameleon (the green version of Blaze).

Hi Mark! Long time no see!

If I can't get comfortable with the Grigri on this rope, then I'll be resorting back to my rack (in a spider rig) for sure -- it always was my favourite ride down. I just hope I don't have to, because for my favourite ascending system, the changeover to a Grigri is so much easier than that to a rack.

The knot-holding ability of this rope sure seems better than what I expected in a static line. I've read reports from others (maybe Ron?) describing how the rope goes very stiff when loaded, yet loosens right up once flexed and relaxed, and this characteristic is not subtle! (In fact, it is quite entertaining to play with! )

I think you'll get the Grigri working fine on the HTP. The Grigri is always jerky to start and stop, you just have to figure out how to smooth that out (usually with your belay hand) per whatever type of rope you're using.
-moss

It's almost looks like the snake and snake charmer thing in reverse. Really weird, but the flexibility once it's relaxed is as good as I've ever seen.



Very true. I just find the behavior to be a lot less jerky on the chameleon. I'm quite fond of the yo-yo rig for flexible movement in the canopy, so I should probably work on getting over this.

Whats a spider rig?

A spider rig is a descending rack, often attached to the saddle with a tether, backed up with a friction hitch, also attached to the saddle, that is located below the rack. This is considered safer than having the back-up hitch above the rack, and it is certainly a lot more convenient in use (because of the friction provided by the rack, the hitch never gets terribly tight when you hang from it, and it allows one-handed operation during descent, whereas two hands are necessary when the hitch is above).

Got it...Thanks

Still trying to find the cheapest supplier of this rope. I am after 10mm. I noticed you can by direct form sterling but not sure if they are the cheapest??

Direct from Sterling isn't the cheapest way, which can be bizarre, since many companies (like C&C Outdoors) technically sell you the rope, but merely have Sterling send it directly to you on their behalf.

Based on my experience, I would highly recommend paying the extra amount and going to a dealer you know will give you good service. I sought out the cheapest price I could find, had to settle for something a bit more since the cheapest places shipped by UPS only (and I refuse to use them), and ended up waiting two months, the entire summer, for my rope to arrive. New Tribe, or Sherrill (if I dealt with them), would have cost more, but I might have actually had my rope to climb over the summer. Cheapest isn't always the best.

I just wish my favourite dealer -- Wesspur - had Sterling rope!

Patroller Supply: 200 ft. Olive 10mm HTP for $182. I order from them and have had no problems in the past.

AHS Rescue: 200 ft. White 10mm HTP for $154.

Rock-N-Rescue: 200 ft. White 10mm HTP for $162.

RescueSystems: 200 ft. 10mm HTP in a a bunch of different patterns and colors for $186.

New Tribe: 200 ft. Black 10mm HTP for $198. you'll get great service

SherrillTree: 200 ft. Snakebite pattern (or Red) 10mm HTP for $173. good service, nice looking pattern

-moss

Brad, it's always great to see that I am not exaggerating when I talk about HTP.

It is one of the most remarkable ropes I have ever used. It's funny how minute the differences are between the hybrid statics out there. HTP is very different, to my enjoyment, than any other static I have ever used. 8mm beeline works great on it for drt too.

I have tied and climbed on a Blake's hitch with it, but it is far from optimal.

http://www.onrope1.com/store/index.php? ... &parent=16

I know it may not be the most knot friendly rope out there, but a very good ascent line IMHO. I have used it as a DRT line before, but you have to use a split tail since a Blakes wont work with it. At $130 for 200 ft its a great value. I have had mine for several years and it is holding up great so far. I think I have had 3 arborist climbing lines during that same time period.

Yep, HTP has got to be the most unique rope out there. It's funny, I'm climbing on other stuff right now because I want to save my HTP for special occassions- that's got to be a total contradiction of logic somehow.

I'm glad you posted this Dietly - makes me realize I need to get back on the HTP.

BTW, emr, if every piece of PMI rope I own hadn't developed lumps under the cover, that'd be the only rope I'd climb on. HTP is special, but PMI 10mm EzBend is lighter and tough as nails.

Thank you for the great tip!

I know what you mean about saving the good stuff for a special occasions -- I do it all the time, even though I realize it's a bit silly!