Boatrock Competition

• We are having the Boatrock  competition tomorrow after nearly a straight week of rain knowing that saturated granite is much weaker and more likely to break?  We should reschedule this event unless saftey and rock preservation is to take a back seat to SCC's sponsors and volunteers.

Does water actually weaken granite if it's above freezing? Never heard that one before...

Chuck. you need to do your research before commenting on this subject.

Just what I thought! Southern climbers do not have inquiring minds. What a shame.

Link to the research that shows granite weakens after rain?

FrankPS wrote: Link to the research that shows granite weakens after rain?

Is it difficult always playing the straight man?

Most certainly. 

You can climb on granite in a downpour and it is a no higher risk of breaking.  If anything, it is at less risk because it will be slick and you won't be able to pull as hard.  It is not water permeable.  Yes granite cracks can be affected by freeze/thaw, as any rock would suffer with thermal expansion.  

"An Internet troll is a member of an online social community who deliberately tries to disrupt, attack, offend or generally cause trouble within the community by posting certain comments, photos, videos, GIFs or some other form of online content"

Now I get it!

Chuck Parks wrote: Does water actually weaken granite if it's above freezing? Never heard that one before...

Boat Rock in happier times:

All that's left after the irresponsible bouldering competition on wet granite:

saxfiend wrote: All that's left after the irresponsible bouldering competition on wet granite:

. . . the horror . . . the horror.

JL

I don't know, John.  I see a few unpicked plums in there.

Sorry for thinking I could have a serious debate on this subject. Most of my climbing friends are in agreement with me on this topic but are curiously absent from this discussion. The fact that Mr. Saxfiend is a Mountain Project administrator with a axe to grind against me even makes this whole episode more disturbing. I am sure he does not have the intelligence or the decency to be fair or objective. That is sad, and a diservice to the climbing community at large.

shannon stegg wrote: Sorry for thinking I could have a serious debate on this subject. Most of my climbing friends are in agreement with me on this topic but are curiously absent from this discussion. The fact that Mr. Saxfiend is a Mountain Project administrator with a axe to grind against me even makes this whole episode more disturbing. I am sure he does not have the intelligence or the decency to be fair or objective. That is sad, and a diservice to the climbing community at large.

I love an intelligent debate.  Start it by debating my comment above.  Please cite why you think wet granite is in any way weaker.  There is a reason that granite makes great countertops.....it is not permeable!  

Eric Carlos wrote
  .  .  .  .  .  .There is a reason that granite makes great countertops.....it is not permeable!  

 Granite used for fixtures in building is "cultured stone"  treated  &  polished
Polished  Countertops are not raw stone.

Climbing on water-soaked raw granite allows, in a very small, but noticeable way, to very experienced climbers for easier polishing to occur.  
Causing fine grit to be rubbed off, changing the texture, diminishing coarseness &  so reducing adhesion & friction on sloping holds.

I'm sure I will be sorry that I have said anything As it is not my circus.

Shannon's Moores Wall climbs (to name a few) are still stand-alone test pieces.

Can you give us some examples?

.

YES,( yeah I got  that all wrong, mixed up places & climbers with names that both start with the same letter .  

Suburban Roadside wrote: YES

I guess I wasn't entirely clear.  I was asking if you could give us some examples of his Moore's Wall FAs.

JL

saxfiend wrote:

I guess I wasn't entirely clear.  I was asking if you could give us some examples of his Moore's Wall FAs.

JL

Been climbing at Moores for a looong time and never heard of a Stegg route there. Not sure what FAs have to do with this subject anyway.

Back to the topic. Even though granitic rocks are not as permeable as sandstones they can still soak up water. And it is a well known fact in geology that water can lower the yield point (strength) in rocks, though I don't think that is the primary issue we're talking about here. More of a problem for climbing is that water can weaken the bonds that hold those small nubbins and (flaky) crimps in place on the surface of the cliffs.

There Shannon, finally something you and I can agree on...

I have the start hold for paintcan sit, the crystal from the woods hill wave project and a piece from fernandos block at my house. All broken by individuals climbing after rain at boat rock. I absolutely promise granite can be weakend by moisture alone.  No freeze thaw necessary. 

Dylan Valvo wrote: I have the start hold for paintcan sit, the crystal from the woods hill wave project and a piece from fernandos block at my house. All broken by individuals climbing after rain at boat rock. I absolutely promise granite can be weakend by moisture alone.  No freeze thaw necessary. 

Promising is not science.  Please provide some scientific evidence of granite permeability and it's weakening due to water.  

FYI: last time I climbed at Boatrock was circa 2008.  I have no dog in this race with regard to the specific event, but water doesn't weaken granite.  

I too no longer live in the southeast, but I love a good debate.  And Shannon is guaranteed to provide!