Mer Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Went to the gym last night and I’m still coughing chalk out of my lungs. The air was thick with it, the holds were greasy, my clothes are covered in it, and I wasn’t even using any. I’m beginning to suspect that chalk belongs in the category of largely useless gear along with titanium spoons, pink Lexan® bottles and special helmet stickers. I agree it can be useful on sunny days, on particularly tricky moves. But does anyone really notice a vast difference on the odd day that you forget your chalkbag, really? Quote
Alpinfox Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 In the gym I usually find a brush more effective than chalk, but for some holds, brush + chalk = glory. Quote
snugtop Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 I like seeing the dudes with the little chalk purses! Quote
Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Notice a difference? Forget your chalkbag? What're you, crazy? DFA can't make it ten moves without chalk! Quote
billcoe Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 I’m beginning to suspect that chalk belongs in the category of largely useless gear along with titanium spoons, pink Lexan® bottles and special helmet stickers. Hardly use chalk anymore. Sorry, can't give up the spoon or the pink bottle either. Quote
klenke Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 "I like seeing the dudes with the little chalk purses!" Quote
snugtop Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 ...but it's the feet squeezed into those little slippers that does it for me! Quote
Figger_Eight Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 But does anyone really notice a vast difference on the odd day that you forget your chalkbag, really? I don't notice a difference if I'm climbing 5.7. Otherwise I totally suck. Quote
Off_White Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Really? I think to a large extent chalk is a calming ritual, an excuse to pause, do something else, and look ahead. I haven't climbed in a gym in years, but I know the stuff is terrible in an indoor environment. Outside, I do think it makes a difference, even if my hands aren't all sweaty, but truly the virtue lies in the act itself, of finding a stance and chalking up and getting psyched for the next bit, until you can chalk up again. Quote
Alpinfox Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 I like seeing the dudes with the little chalk purses! ...but it's the feet squeezed into those little slippers that does it for me! Suddenly I feel so Quote
snugtop Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Do you coordinate your chalk bag with your rock shoes? Quote
DanB Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Mer is a reptile- NO sweat glands! more chalk please..... Quote
b-rock Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 It seems to me in the gym the problem is more loose chalk than it is chalk in chalk balls. Quote
chucK Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 If the gym has gravel like VW, then I'm almost positive that what you're breathing in is much more rock dust than chalk. Everytime someone walks across the pebbles they grate 'em together and make dust and kick up dust. Not to say that chalk isn't bunk. Chalk is good if you like your holds marked. Very helpful for onsights! Quote
sobo Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 ...I agree it can be useful on sunny days, on particularly tricky moves. But does anyone really notice a vast difference on the odd day that you forget your chalkbag, really? My hands sweat like the back of a Sumo wrestler. I couldn't get off the ground on anything harder than 5.7 if I didn't use it. That being said, I hate how it has greased up once pristine holds. Crux pitch of Outer Space coems to mind... Quote
Alpinfox Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Do you coordinate your chalk bag with your rock shoes? OUCH! I'm getting slammed here! Somebody help; make her stop! Moderator! Quote
snugtop Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 Now I get it... The chalk is there to dry up your tears! Quote
Alpinfox Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 I'm only wearing cowboy boots and carharts to the gym from now on. Quote
fern Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 you should wear a dust mask next time! I bet you'll have no trouble getting a belay! I often find when I am really getting freeked and sweaty-palmed I completely forget I even have a chalk bag and I instead madly wipe my hands on my trousers and teeshirt - it helps to wear cotton . I mostly use chalk to tick foot-holds, this is especially fun to do in the gym Quote
Dru Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 so.... chalk is aid chalk is bunk... therefore AID IS BUNK Quote
Mer Posted April 14, 2004 Author Posted April 14, 2004 you should wear a dust mask next time! OK, but my chalkbag is seafoam green and my shoes are prussian blue, what colour should my dust mask be? Quote
jkrueger Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 You need to consult the New Queer Eye For The Straight Climber forum immediately. Quote
minx Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 you should wear a dust mask next time! OK, but my chalkbag is seafoam green and my shoes are prussian blue, what colour should my dust mask be? it's not the colour of the dust mask that matters, it's the size of the dust mask... Quote
Dru Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 you should wear a dust mask next time! OK, but my chalkbag is seafoam green and my shoes are prussian blue, what colour should my dust mask be? same color as your parachute Quote
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