Chalk is bunk!

[minx]

wait...disregard my last response. i was distracted.

 

your dusk mask should match your rope and/or spandex. i recommend a pleated dusk mask for it's slimming effect

 

 

seriously, i'm OW on this one. i sort of like the ritual part of it. that moment when you can pause and think before the next moves.

[snoboy]

I have often wondered if we are going to see an nasty increase in some sort of lung disease amongst indoor climbers, and particularly amongst gym employees.

 

Particles can be inert and still cause lung problems. I think this is how asbestos works it's nastiness. Any reason chalk won't do the same?

[jkrueger]

I've definitely noticed a difference on those days that I forget my chalk -- the main one being that it's not there when I reach for it. It's called white courage for a reason! I don't have anything against chalking up for an aid pitch.

 

It would be nice if people would brush on the way down what they chalk on the way up, but it's not a perfect world.

[tomtom]

seriously, i'm OW on this one. i sort of like the ritual part of it. that moment when you can pause and think before the next moves.

 

I've seen people chalk up again three feet off the ground. Come on, folks.

[Dru]

I have often wondered if we are going to see an nasty increase in some sort of lung disease amongst indoor climbers, and particularly amongst gym employees.

 

Particles can be inert and still cause lung problems. I think this is how asbestos works it's nastiness. Any reason chalk won't do the same?

 

its the shape of asbestos particle that does the damage. chalk does not have the same problem AFAIK.

 

however....viruses like chalk. viruses stick to chalk. breathing chalk-dusted air is like breathing in the spittle of everyone else in the gym. touching a chalked up hold and then touching it to a mucous membrane (rub your eye, pick your nose etc) is a quick transmission o virus to your body.

 

wash hands alot whengym climbing. avoid touching bloodied chalk spots. dont share chalkbags.

 

 

in this photo gym workers unload fresh chalk shipment from the truck for an upcoming comp

[jkrueger]

I often chalk up before sending a PM to Dru -- should I be concerned about catching a spray transmitted disease from his reply?

[chucK]

however....viruses like chalk. viruses stick to chalk. breathing chalk-dusted air is like breathing in the spittle of everyone else in the gym. touching a chalked up hold and then touching it to a mucous membrane (rub your eye, pick your nose etc) is a quick transmission o virus to your body.

 

Although I believe Dru is FOS , let me relate a little story to you. We used to be one of those awfully annoying couples who bring their toddler to the gym with them. Every time we brought her to the gym, she would come down with a cold within two days. We thought it was probably a coincidence, cause heck we were bringing her to daycare all those days too probably. Anyway, after about five times, we decided we try one more time. She went with us. She got sick. We quit bringing her to the gym.

 

Still think the dust in there is from the gravel though.

[iain]

so do you chalk up when climbing the white cliffs of Dover?

 

And while you are climbing there do you engage in a thick British accent and say things like "This Blessed Plot" etc.?

[cracked]

so do you chalk up when climbing the white cliffs of Dover?

 

And while you are climbing there do you engage in a thick British accent and say things like "This Blessed Plot" etc.?

Don't you use ice tools and warthogs driven into the chalk there?

[snugtop]

What Spray Transmitted Diseases are going round this week?

 

N-O-D-D-I-N-G Sickness?

Edited April 15, 2004 by snugtop

[slothrop]

I thought it was pretty funny when my partner chalked up climbing slab last weekend. Totally psychological.

 

I get sick from the gym dust, too. After a couple hours in Stone Gardens, I blow my nose and the tissue is black... and that's just the stuff that stuck to my mucous membranes. I betcha the lungs of today's gym rats will look like pack-a-day smokers' in 30 years.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

It ain't just chalk what slicks up holds, people. How 'bout them greeeeezy footholds you find, all polished with boot schmutz? Plus, DFA would wager that if folks didn't use chalk, the holds'd just get all scummed up with sweaty skin peelings, and get all polished up just from hands passing over them.

[eric8]

I don't use chalk and offend find that the only time I want it is right after climbing a route that someone just applied chalk liberally too

 

So everyone stop using chalk, beeyotch

[catbirdseat]

If you don't like breathing dust in the gym, just go to Cascade Crags. They have replaced the gravel with ondoor/outdoor carpet over resiliant foam. The foam is not as safe for landing as gravel, so they have provided thick, cushy crash pads for bouldering and leading. They keep the carpet well vaccumed. The air is much nicer to breath there. I like it.

[slothrop]

Riiiiight. I'm not going all the way to Everett just so I can breath [sic] cleaner air for 2 hours and break my ankle on their foam pads.

 

This thread reminds me of why the UW rock is the best training ground around: well-ventilated, cheap, challenging, and always open. And the rain washes off the chalk!

[catbirdseat]

Amen to that.

[hrothgar]

Quote "titanium spoon is useless".

 

I think chalk is useless. It gums up my gloves and freezez like a sob when wetted. The titanium spoon however is the tool to have. It is in the left hand when i have that desperate move on a grade 5 route. You can also string through the tie in hole and bury it as pro!! AHHHHHH So light, SOOO Strong!!

[bDubyaH]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm chalk