Favorite crack-cleaning tools/techniques?

Favorite crack-cleaning tools/ techniques? My nut pick is getting trashed.

Chris Trautz wrote:

Favorite crack-cleaning tools/ techniques? My nut pick is getting trashed.

Paint scrapers and various types (nylon, steel) brushes depending on the rock softness and amount of lichen/moss to be removed.  For really deep cracks old ice axe picks are an option too.  PSA: Ethically the key is to do as little to the rock as you can, only remove the detritus.

Kevin Heckeler wrote:

Paint scrapers and various types (nylon, steel) brushes depending on the rock softness and amount of lichen/moss to be removed.  For really deep cracks old ice axe picks are an option too.  PSA: Ethically the key is to do as little to the rock as you can, only remove the detritus.

Kevin knows cleaning.  I have benefitted from several of his route cleaning efforts. Thanks Kevin.

Toilet brush works well for sandy cracks or cleaning the dirt out after removing vegetation with a nut tool. Wire brush for lichen. Oh and can’t forget the bee spray either.... seems every time I clean out a new crack I get attacked by hornets.

Small 3-pronged garden rake, cut the two outer prongs off so you’ve got just one. Also found a great “garden knife” similar to a paint scraper that’s great for tearing through tiny roots in finger cracks. A piece of rebar bent at 90 degrees with some padding for your hands is great for deeper hand cracks.

Small battery powered leaf blower. Once down to brush and loosed then blow. I use the small M18 Milwaukee. Its incredible. Soft bendable rubber nozzle is key. 

JD1984 wrote:

Oh and can’t forget the bee spray either.... seems every time I clean out a new crack I get attacked by hornets.

Truth!  In the Northeast, it could even be considered part of the standard rack.  lol  [we have issues out West as well]

Kevin Heckeler wrote:

Truth!  In the Northeast, it could even be considered part of the standard rack.  lol  [we have issues out West as well]

At least we don't have killer bees

Matt Wetmore wrote:

At least we don't have killer bees

Wu Tang

This have been my favorite tool for scraping cracks in the PNW. Gets all the mung out before hitting it with a wire or toothbrush. 

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/garden-care/weeders/49886-crack-weeder?item=EE310

Demetri V wrote:

Wu Tang

Protect your neck, son.

Best technique is to let your partner to the heavy lifting ;)

Ice axe. the pick digs super well and adze for wider cracks.  Nut tools work well on the lead.  various sizes of wire brushes to get in the crack.  Pipe cleaning brushes work well for small cracks.  Different MM of cord to clove off to roots, to tear them out of there.  masonry brush to clean up your mess.

If anyone is serious about this stuff North Conway local Ray MF Rice is starting a route cleaning school.  Its called Ray Rice's School of Making it Nice. Only serious applicants need apply.

Sam 

In auto parts stores or sometimes in sale bins at hardware stores you can get sets of mechanic's  pry bars that are like screw drivers with wider heads that are bent a little. A set usually has sizes from around 6 inches to around two feet. They work really well for cleaning. The bigger ones can be used with two hands to rub the insides of rough granite hand cracks to get the sharp crumblies out. The bent head lets you reach a lot of spots you would otherwise not be able to reach with a straight screw driver. One issue they have is they don't usually have a hole in the handle for keeper cord, but you can drill your own. 

I second an old ice tool. The best thing I’ve used. 

Under the heading of things that might be good for mountaineers to know, this stuff, which every route cleaner in New England is familiar with, is edible. Called 'rock tripe', it's found all over the mountains of north America and elsewhere and is a viable emergency food, provided you have the means to boil it.

Chris Trautz wrote:

Under the heading of things that might be good for mountaineers to know, this stuff, which every route cleaner in New England is familiar with, is edible. Called 'rock tripe', it's found all over the mountains of north America and elsewhere and is a viable emergency food, provided you have the means to boil it.

i could have saved so much on snacks if i had known this