carolyn Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Im just curious of others thoughts on this subject (minus the ethical debate, if possible). Ive often been taught to make things harder than they need to be so you are prepared when things get tough, both in life and climbing. We have a few areas around here with a no chalk ethic, which I respect. I dont necessarily frown upon others who use chalk. I just dont feel the need to use it. Part of it goes back to the thought process of , "if you can do this climb greasy or wet w/o chalk, just think what more you might be able to do". Recently my 'thought process' has been debated a bit. Im told chalk is good. If you dont use chalk, it greases the holds. Chalking up in the middle of a climb gives you an opportunity to take a break, breath, and collect yourself. I understand the arguments, but I still dont cant seem to break out the bag. And when I do, I often forget its there. Do folks think chalk is a 'necessary' thing? Discuss! Quote
snoboy Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 I guess it depends a bit on where you want to go with climbing. If you are in to chasing grades, then you are probably going to want chalk. After all, if you could do so much better with it, then why not use it? If you carry it and only sometimes use it, that's cool. I find I tend to dip even when my hands are dry, mostly out of habit, but it calms me. Good ol' "dip in the courage bag." I've never heard the arguement that holds get greasier when you don't use chalk. Now washing your hands, and not using sunscreen, there is some ideas that will help. Out here in Squamish, it's not much of an ethical issue. The rain washes away most of our sins, and there aren't really the big white marks that you see in areas like Smith. Anyway, I thought Horsechalk was an essential part of every cc climber's arsenal... Quote
Dru Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Chalk is aid Join the "Clean Hands Gang" And spit upon the Powder Pushers. Don't get caught white handed! Got 2 chalk bags myself!!! Quote
Retrosaurus Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 When it is hot enough, you will use chalk and like it. When you are dripping with sweat you will not forget it is there. Quote
Figger_Eight Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 I break a sweat getting out of bed in the mornings. I would be screwed without it. Quote
Distel32 Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Chalk is quite useful! It does actually work when you are climbing in warmer areas and/or if you happen to sweat a lot when working hard which most climbers do. Also works great as a mental boost like snoboy said, a little dip of confidence. Hard to get on really slopey holds without it! Quote
iain Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 the one place chalk should be totally outlawed is in caves, such as those in bend that were apparently grid bolted and chalked up to hell (not firsthand knowledge though). That totally sucks. Quote
Dru Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 iain said: (not firsthand knowledge though) hey bats need to hibernate! and if it hadn't been for that van full of kids and their dog, i mean, dumb sherriff, we'd have found them too! Quote
EWolfe Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 There are also other options for skin drying besides chalk that are worth checking out. No info, but a search would help if sweating is the issue.... Quote
iain Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Dru said: iain said: (not firsthand knowledge though) hey bats need to hibernate! and if it hadn't been for that van full of kids and their dog, i mean, dumb sherriff, we'd have found them too! the only thing we were going to find back there was Trouble. or maybe one of timmay's nerdy geocaches Quote
sk Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 I didn't use chalk at all my first season. But as I climbed more and harder stuff, I started to use it. I think the key (as with all things) is MODERATION. you do not have to use a TON of chalk to reap benafits. alot of the reason I use it is to have something to do with my hands when I am searching for the next moves. It helps slow me down, so I don't rush and screw up. It also helps me remeber to breath. Again.... MODERATION is the key muffy's .02 Quote
scot'teryx Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 I use my chalk bag in all sorts of awkward moments throughout my day, if I ever get tense or stressed out, I just dip away and take a breather, straight arm, and then move on.............. Next thing you kow, a chalk bag will be the biggest fad since the "little black backpack" or "hello Kitty" Everyone must wear their chalkbag to work on Friday! Quote
sk Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 scot'teryx said: I use my chalk bag in all sorts of awkward moments throughout my day, if I ever get tense or stressed out, I just dip away and take a breather, straight arm, and then move on.............. Next thing you kow, a chalk bag will be the biggest fad since the "little black backpack" or "hello Kitty" Everyone must wear their chalkbag to work on Friday! DOOD that is so last season in Japan they were walking arrond with cell phones and lipgloss in chalk bags LAST YEAR Quote
allthumbs Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 I wear mine as a protective cover on my dick Quote
lummox Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 carolyn said: Do folks think chalk is a 'necessary' thing? aint 'nesessary'. just fuckin handy. dont need it on a lot of sandstone but its good for the slickery granite. Quote
Dru Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 hello kitty chalkbag with lip gloss pocket $37.79 on eBay Quote
Dane Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Chalk..the powdered laxative for the constipated mind. Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 trask said: I wear mine as a protective cover on my dick Chalk bag as codpiece. Dude, be careful not to pull the drawstring too tight. It limits circulation. Quote
Kiwi Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 I find alot of chalked up holds get greasy due to the accumulation of chalk and sweat. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 wet holds suck. wet hands suck. chalk's not *really* necessary ... but sometimes it helps. Quote
RuMR Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 trask said: I wear mine as a protective cover on my dick I thought you said you were using a thimble cuz it was steel and better protection...and had a nice tight fit to boot... Quote
chucK Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Chalk usually makes climbing easier. That is, if you use it when you need it. If you become one of those who chalk up automatically, then it might actually make things harder by requiring you to do one more thing in those strenuous sequences. I never do strenuous sequences though, so who am I to talk. Quote
Dr.Hook Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 MisterE said: There are also other options for skin drying besides chalk that are worth checking out. No info, but a search would help if sweating is the issue.... Sweating is an issue for me! I tried a search to no avail could you make a few suggestions. Chalk lasts me about a move and a half before I am forced to dip again, give me the beta... Quote
RuMR Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Here's an idea for you... Back east, we would mix isopropyl alcohol w/ chalk...use a squeeze ketchup bottle...work this into your hands really well...it'll go from a liquid to a paste and then finally a dry film of chalk that gets into your skin...forms a chalk base, if you will...then regular chalking tends to last better...don't need it out here since the humidity isn't as great... Quote
carolyn Posted June 20, 2003 Author Posted June 20, 2003 Dr.Hook said: MisterE said: There are also other options for skin drying besides chalk that are worth checking out. No info, but a search would help if sweating is the issue.... Sweating is an issue for me! I tried a search to no avail could you make a few suggestions. Chalk lasts me about a move and a half before I am forced to dip again, give me the beta... THere is the ecoball, which is only a half dozen bucks or so. Folks Ive talked with who use it seem to like it alright. Rumr...that potion has to just dry the shit outta your hands in the long run! Honestly, its not the 'ethical issue' that bothers me so much. I learned to climb without chalk. I rarely feel the need for it or forget...even with the humidity and typical slick basalt out here. I will at least try and remember to bring my bag climbing with me...maybe even clip it onto my harness?!?! On the other hand, maybe I just dont sweat or work hard enough?! Quote
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