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Chalk is stupid.

Original Post
Xander X · · Tucsies · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 0

And addictive.

Niki · · Joshua Tree, CA/Healy, AK · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 100

So is cocaine.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

"Cocaine is a helluva drug."

Rick James, bitch.

Mojo Stylee · · Ft. Collins, CO · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 40

Seriously, "Have you eva sucked dick for Chalk!!!!??" Cause I have.

Kilroywashere! London · · Harrisonburg, Virginia · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 280
Mojo Stylee wrote:Seriously, "Have you eva sucked dick for Chalk!!!!??" Cause I have.
wow dude....tmi, its like 2 bucks for a big block that lasts me a few weeks or so...you need help, somebody cut this guy off.
Tits McGee · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 260

At my lowest point I found myself crawling around crags and gym floors scrapping that shit up, just to get a quick fill of my chalk bag.

Those were dark days.

ian watson · · Sandia park, NM · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 235
Mojo Stylee wrote:Seriously, "Have you eva sucked dick for Chalk!!!!??" Cause I have.
"I seen em"
Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125
Tits McGee wrote:At my lowest point I found myself crawling around crags and gym floors scrapping that shit up, just to get a quick fill of my chalk bag. Those were dark days.
that's not an addiction. that's a hobby. when you find yourself sneaking into schools and stealing chalkboard erasers to get your fix, let me know. haha.
Xander X · · Tucsies · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 0

Seriously though, it's unsightly, and it's an unnecessary psychological compulsion. Keep it in the gym.
I hate seeing all the holds on routes chalked totally white, so that there's no room for creativity and route-finding. Even worse is when a bunch of chalk-addicts with their grubby zombie hands all grab the same useless sucker hold that you then grab 'cause you're so used to following the trail of chalk up the route.

Additionally,IT'S NOT NECESSARY. If your hands sweat, wipe them on your pants! Similar motion, similar effect, less time. Also, if you use less chalk, then your hands will get stronger (because admittedly, climbing on limestone in July w/o chalk turns even the biggest jugs into slopers), and then when you do use chalk on harder routes, you'll have an advantage!!

Of course, the obvious response to my rant is: "Then stop going to sport crags and start setting your own routes, so you don't have to see any chalk."

Point taken.

S.Stelli · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 150
Dave Holliday wrote:Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Anyone who quotes the Dude is okay by me.
I dig your style.

Back to the OP - the other day I was getting a nice session in at the gym, and a girl had her chalk bag wide open and was swinging it around by her waist strap, every once in a while she was smashing it into herself on purpose.... thus spewing plumes of chalk dust all over the place. I asked her why and she got offended.

Please kids, don't abuse your chalk privileges.
ErikJohnson · · Fort Colllins · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 55

Chalk is a basic substance (Calcium or Magnesium Sulfate) that helps neutralize the decomposition of rocks like limestone do to acidic nature of rain. Therefore we are preserving the rock by using chalk.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

I'm set for life. 'Confiscated' every bag and block of chalk from the gym after I quit coaching girls gymnastics years ago. Some is from Pauley Pavillion from '84 Olympics even. Yup, my chalk bag is always filled with some lucky chalk.

Wiled Horse · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2002 · Points: 3,669

i can quit anytime i want

Zack S. · · Prescott, AZ · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 35

Chalk is aid.

Jack Ubaek · · tucson · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 20

personally, i find ranger stations far more unsightly than chalk prints but whatever. not to mention, those pesky little stations are still around after a good rain.

Chalk Norris · · Brighton, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 254

Real men dont use chalk...They use talent!

Andy Novak · · Bailey, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 370
ErikJohnson wrote:Chalk is a basic substance (Calcium or Magnesium Sulfate) that helps neutralize the decomposition of rocks like limestone do to acidic nature of rain. Therefore we are preserving the rock by using chalk.
I really hope you're being sarcastic here. I can't tell.
Philip Lutz · · Akron, OH · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 165

MgCO3 only stops (as in slows chemical weathering) the erosion of limestones (CaCO3)...over time it makes sandstones more slick and the same thing would eventually happen with granite but granite doesnt have that much friction and it erodes slower than sandstone

Bill Duncan · · Glade Park, CO · Joined Mar 2005 · Points: 3,410

The Dude abides...

Joe Huggins · · Grand Junction · Joined Oct 2001 · Points: 105
Xander3000 wrote:And addictive.
Well-maybe you're the stupid head;did you think of that?
Owen Darrow · · Helena, mt · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 1,790

While I was climbing at Stone Gardens in Seattle a crew man that had just gotten off a fishing boat came up to me and was like,"so you just put that powdery shit on your hand and your hands just stick to the wall? Sounds easy enough". I had to correct him but it was pretty funny to listen to what someone who had never climbed before thought was going on with the "powdery shit".

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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