Chalk bag

Just a random survey: do you prefer using the strap that comes with your chalk bag or just clipping your chalk bag to the back of your harness and why?

i use a piece of 7mm cord tied around my waist with a square knot. the cord can be used in the case of an emergency.

separate chalk bag belt worn usually. some clip directly to that small attachment on back of harness(not the belay loop)

I have some old climbing rope with a double fisherman's knot. It keeps the bag higher on my back, which I like. Also, it keeps the chalk bag from getting all twisted. I don't like having to reach behind me to find my chalkbag, I'd much rather dip and go when I'm on that slappy lieback with crappy feet.

Separate cord, why waste a clip when string or rope will do the same, plus with the separate cord you can position the bag on whichever side of your body you want easily.

I usually just clip it to the haul loop or another loop on the harness, I have a cheap Prana belt for longer bouldering, but it usually stays on the ground for bouldering.

Well you can definitely tell that it's turning cold outside... we're already talking about how to wear a chalk bag!

I use webbing so I can rotate it when in a chimney and the webbing is also bail gear.

I just leave it clipped to my harness so I don't have to worry about forgetting it somewhere. It's kind of in the way though when I'm tagging a line.

Greg G wrote:i use a piece of 7mm cord tied around my waist with a square knot. the cord can be used in the case of an emergency.

Same here! I used it twice this season to reach the ground.

9/16 webbing, use it to back up/replace old webbing at anchors. i'm surprised about the gate-in theory, as i can't think of anybody i know who racks gate out. agree with the theory about clipping the chalk bag to the back with a biner though.

johnL wrote:Of the caribiner clip on the back crowd, I'd be curious how long most of you have been climbing as well as how often you climb. I ask because I don't know a single person I consider an experienced climber who clips the chalkbag to their harness.

I started climbing in 2000. The last 4-5 years, I've climbed an average of 150 days per year. Sport, trad, multipitch, and a very small amount of bouldering. 99% of the time, I clip my chalk bag to the back of my harness. I like it there because it is ALWAYS in the same spot. I found that when I use a rope/strap around my waist, the chalkbag moves around on it's own, making it harder to find occasionally.

That's cool, though, that you like to assume things about people because of how they attach their chalkbag to themselves when climbing. You seem to really know what you're talking about.

Or maybe I'm just a gumby...

johnL wrote:A shoelace is more than adequate. I don't feel like I need my chalkbag to help me bail. Of the caribiner clip on the back crowd, I'd be curious how long most of you have been climbing as well as how often you climb. I ask because I don't know a single person I consider an experienced climber who clips the chalkbag to their harness. Matter of fact, I don't know any experienced climbers who rack their draws gate in either. Not saying you're doing it wrong but after long enough, it seems most people reach the same conclusions.

John:
There are 1,001 ways to bail…but why would you pass up some super-cheap cord to rap from over a 'biner, sewn sling, etc?

If you are going to tie something around your waist…why wouldn't you make it multipurpose, especially considering it weighs next to nothing?

Jason

Get with the program JF your such a noob. To stay on the light side I just fill my pants pockets before I get on route. A little in each back pocket some in the front pockets and for emergencies I stash some in the fifth pocket. This way works well because it's always where you need it. FYI don't go through coustoms like this.

Brian Snider wrote:Get with the program JF your such a noob.

No kidding! I'm surprised that I'm able to find climbing partners, considering that I clip my chalk bag to my harness AND I wear a helmet sport climbing. Why would anyone want to be seen with me in public?!

Brian Snider wrote:To stay on the light side I just fill my pants pockets before I get on route. A little in each back pocket some in the front pockets and for emergencies I stash some in the fifth pocket. This way works well because it's always where you need it. FYI don't go through coustoms like this.

That sounds like a great technique - probably wouldn't work so well with skinny jeans, though!

johnL wrote:...Of the caribiner clip on the back crowd, I'd be curious how long most of you have been climbing as well as how often you climb. I ask because I don't know a single person I consider an experienced climber who clips the chalkbag to their harness. Matter of fact, I don't know any experienced climbers who rack their draws gate in either. Not saying you're doing it wrong but after long enough, it seems most people reach the same conclusions.

I have to admit it's never crossed my mind that there might be such an object way to parse the grizzled veterans from the nOObs. JohnL, I salute you - you are truly an eagle among the herd of naked mole rats that makes up our fine group.

It could depend on how long your arms are. I have 0 ape factor, and I wear my chalk bag on a belt. If I clip it to my harness, it is too low and I have to arch my back and roll my shoulders back to dip. My friend has +4 inches and finds it too cramped with the chalk around his waist. Plus, when I wear a pack, then I rotate the chalk bag to the front.

Best solution ? Lose the bag: silly question becomes moot, saves money.

Racking draws gate in means what ? JL must be inexperienced if all he sees is it done one way. I've seen plenty of 35+ year climbers who rack gates either way and sometimes even both on the same harness. Ahhh, the horror...

9/16" supertape webbing. Like has been said before, can be used as bail gear, an extra sling if you run it out and use up your draws, etc.

PROTIP: Don't knot it around your waist, use a cheap plastic buckle. If you fall and the chalk bag snags, it will cut you in half (or at least mess you up real badly).

Jimmy Farrell wrote: No kidding! I'm surprised that I'm able to find climbing partners, considering that I clip my chalk bag to my harness AND I wear a helmet sport climbing. Why would anyone want to be seen with me in public?! That sounds like a great technique - probably wouldn't work so well with skinny jeans, though!

Everyone knows helmet use and chalk bag location defines a climber,,and either elevates above noob' or keeps you there.

Jimmy Farrell wrote: That's cool, though, that you like to assume things about people because of how they attach their chalkbag to themselves when climbing. You seem to really know what you're talking about.

+1

Greg G wrote:i use a piece of 7mm cord tied around my waist with a square knot. the cord can be used in the case of an emergency.

Same but I just downsized to 5mm procord because I had an extra piece and the 7mm I used to use was 2 inches too short and would work itself undone over the day. But same idea.

Jon H wrote:9/16" supertape webbing. Like has been said before, can be used as bail gear, an extra sling if you run it out and use up your draws, etc. PROTIP: Don't knot it around your waist, use a cheap plastic buckle. If you fall and the chalk bag snags, it will cut you in half (or at least mess you up real badly).

How is this any different than if the belt of your harness got caught? Maybe I'm just a skeptic, but I don't see that it's likely enough to happen for me to worry about the skinnier line slicing me in 2. If I got caught up I'd be more worried about breaking my back than being bisected. Not a bad tip though, certainly doesn't hurt anything.