Yes, even if you never use a brand new climbing rope, it still 'expires' after 10 years. When your rope starts to fray, display cuts, or is overly soft or hard, it's time for retirement.

Sillett’s group put a line over the President’s crown, rigged climbing ropes into position (with special protectors for the tree’s cambium), donned harnesses and helmets, and went up.

“A climbing rope was a new one ... Local climbers tied their own ropes to the elk, ran the rigging over a tree, and created a hauling system. Then Hake and six others pulled on the rope ...