The ropes hold up to the elements well, and also, rats/squirrels don't like it for some reason. A whole bunch of people have left these on a tree and hunted them all season since Mr. Jim came out with them. I've seen the same material (different braid) rope used in some rough applications being exposed to salt and sun all day every day getting soaked then cranked on metal spools. Our application of being on a tree for 4 months is just fine. The thing that keeps me from doing it is my mobile hunting style, and my aversion to unnecessary risk - if it is going to break, I'm not going to know until it breaks. I'd rather "check" a rope by camming it over every time. Personal experience - I've left stepps on a tree for 2 months - ropes were just fine. I actually have some out I forgot to pull at end of season (January). I'll see them in the next few weeks to get a status update. Hoping the whole setup isn't grown into the tree!
I'm trying out the notch dryad this season, but I have the stock ropes on a set of stepps on standby just in case it isn't for me.