Sick of Loud Hexes?

So I took it upon myself to try what we've all wanted to do, dampen the sounds of hexes (while approaching and climbing). I went with the ol' construction foam (AKA window/door sealant, AKA the "That Great Stuff") and I wanted to share with the climbing community my finding and what I could have done better. The process is pretty simple, set it down and squirt it in. as you can see, the foam sealant expands A LOT creating these nice mushroom tops, they're easy to chop off once dry though. The real bitch is scraping the residue off the sides of your hex (just to make them look pretty again). What I should have done is layer down some paper on the bottom. When I peeled these guys off the bricks post drying, it took a decent chunk of the foam from the inside, which just dunt look good (pictured above). The foam obviously leaves a residue on the wires as well. I haven't taken a lead fall on these guys (and if I'm on a route where i'm placing hexes I probably won't anyways) but they've held up on an equalized top rope anchor (lot of evidence that provides). But I don't see any reason why they wouldn't hold up. Now, what you've all been waiting for, the results..... It doesn't work, so get used to loud hexes. OK it KINDA works. It slightly tones down how "shrill" the hexes are when they clank.  All in all would I do it again... probably not. there was a couple hours of scraping involved for not a lot of noise reduction.

I thought the point of hexes was to ward off predators. When i hear them clanking I usually run in the opposite direction.

Interesting stuff! Got any solutions for those loud boom boxes I hear at the crags?

.22 rifle, or maybe a well placed large rock from above?

Ha! This is awesome!

At the beginning I thought it was a little insane. Then I thought, well maybe it might be worth it...

Then the end.

Perfect. Thanks for sharing.

Now that's some brilliant hillbilly engineering. I'll be copying it this weekend (maybe).

^ yes agreed!!! I would not use this with slung hexes

ummm...ok--pretty sure I'm not going to do this. Guess I'm fine with hexes the way they are especially since I gave them all away...

The best way to manage the issue of clanking hexes at climbing crags is to blast loud music and just over power the clanking. Most appropriate music choices? Early 90's gangsta rap, heavy metal, anything with base, really.

y'all are crazy; I love the sound of hexes. The noise gives me the inspiration to "send", even if I'm not the one carrying them.

I just stuff mine with grocery bags. It works really well. I think like 4 or 5 rolled up in a ball is all it takes for a BD 11. The tighter the better I say. I only stuff down to the #7. Also cutting the wires off and tying them with titan cord helps a bit to. It does not make them silent but it makes a huge difference.

I once dropped a full bottle of great stuff out of a manlift I was driving. It hit the road below and was immediately driven over by the traffic control truck.

The explosion was amazing. A whole bottle expanding everywhere all at once. It's pretty close to my best memory from working construction.

I've also thought about using a "sound deadener" typically used in cars. They are thin foil sheets with self-adhesive intended to minimize the vibration and "shrill" of sheet metal. Common brand names are Fatmat and Dynamat, with cheaper versions at Lowes and HD. I would test this and post up but it's unlikely I'd get to it in the near future.

I don't mind hex chimes myself, but I hate feeling like a parade going down a peaceful canyon!

I would like to hear a recording of a muscal piece performed on hexes.

Climbing friends, if your delicate little flowers of ears are so deeply offended by the sound of hexes, how are you ever going to deal with scabs, goobies, and hangnails?

FFS, is this really a thing?
Try carrying around a rack of pitons.

George Bell wrote:Interesting stuff! Got any solutions for those loud boom boxes I hear at the crags?

Legion wrote:I've also thought about using a "sound deadener" typically used in cars. They are thin foil sheets with self-adhesive intended to minimize the vibration and "shrill" of sheet metal. Common brand names are Fatmat and Dynamat, with cheaper versions at Lowes and HD. I would test this and post up but it's unlikely I'd get to it in the near future. I don't mind hex chimes myself, but I hate feeling like a parade going down a peaceful canyon!

Jim Turner wrote: I have a bunch of Dynamat XtremeMat at home, trying to quiet down a 7.3 L diesel. It would work well, but it's pretty dense so although thin it's very heavy.

I take it you dont climb in bear counrty.

if i were to use hexes, and if i were to be annoyed by the sound of them janglin',

MAGNETS!

Needs more cowbell.