Chalk is stupid.

Novak- you're ability to gauge subtle social nuances like sarcasm or "trolling for arguments" on mountain project means you don't belong here.
Go to another thread and tell some n00ber why he shouldn't rappel on his grigri, it'll make you feel like you know something.

on that note, Chalk definitely helps preserve limestone, and provides a source much needed trace minerals to wildlife like deer and owls.

pH, potassium, & sodium of perspiration seem more to blame; comparing carbonate to carbonate on carbonate isn't showing me much. Interesting, mapp gas, if used to heat up holds on a carbonate, should have a similar effect as if chipping. Another reason to beat ass on pebble pullers in the winter

Chalking up is like having a little break in between cruxes. It gives us something to do with our hands while we're contemplating the next sequence. So take that away, and I'd have to find some other way to keep my hands busy. And before you make THAT suggestion, I already took care of that in the morning shower.....
And besides, I wouldn't want to scare the shit out of everyone once I got back down.

don't laugh...it is serious shit man.
I was jailed once in NC for possession of a large quantity of chalk. I suppose when it's in a zip lock in the front seat of the car it could be anything, especially when you have longish hair?
Except there were rock shoes and a chalk bag sitting next to it, but this was in the mid-80's before the web and before climbing was cool.

caverryan wrote: +10 So, really, all these stupid crag closures are just depriving raptors, mice, hippies and other "protected species" of important minerals, not to mention a very effective antacid. I'm going to write to my senator. This is a problem

Someone told me that climbing chalk and tums antacid tablets are the same substance. Can anyone verify this, or was someone just messing with me?

caverryan wrote: It's true, mostly. Most brands are magnesium carbonate, with some portion of calcium carbonate mixed in. A couple of brands have other drying agents in there too. Tums is mostly calcium carbonate, with a lesser proportion of magnesium carbonate, along with binders, flavorings, fillers, etc.

So if you are out of chalk and have a roll of Tums, just crush them in your mouth (taking great care not to drool) and gently blow the chalk dust onto your hands.

You can run a lab and see which tablets have the most carbonate bang for the buck.

Stich wrote: So if you are out of chalk and have a roll of Tums, just crush them in your mouth (taking great care not to drool) and gently blow the chalk dust onto your hands.

Or conversely, if you have an upset stomach and are out of Tums, just eat chalk?

Woodchuck ATC wrote: Or conversely, if you have an upset stomach and are out of Tums, just eat chalk?

There was a TV show on discovery channel called like Strange Habits or something like that. One episode a girl ate about 4-5 boxes of stick chalk (the chalk used for writing) every day. She compared herself to a goat, and said she tried laundry detergent at one point to see if it was a different rush.

Mike Lane wrote: I already took care of that in the morning shower......

Shampooing your hair?

I make it a point to use chalk sparingly. Can't stand gym monkeys with those huge pots, chalk all over their clothes, piles of chalk everywhere on the ground and chalk up to their armpits. How much do you really need??

bergbryce wrote:I make it a point to use chalk sparingly. Can't stand gym monkeys with those huge pots, chalk all over their clothes, piles of chalk everywhere on the ground and chalk up to their armpits. How much do you really need??

I have some supremely sweaty hands, so I use chalk pretty heavily

For some slab or offwidth stuff, I chalk almost up to my elbows.

i use the euro blow. because its cool.

Darren, I don't think the post-Edlinger generation even know what that means.
But man, that cat had it down.