Chalk bans

Mark E Dixonwrote:

But in climbing areas, seen wholly or primarily by climbers, I think you are in the very small minority arguing to ban chalk.

And the idea that decreasing one's individual chalk use will make a difference seems wildly optimistic unless the overall number of climbers drops significantly.

I'm not necessarily arguing for a ban, I'm still using chalk. All I am saying is that  I think the issue warrants to stop & think a bit more about. I'm sure in some places bans will come. In some of the closed cliffs in Australia, that seemed to be part of the issues (along with a host of others, granted, but still part of the perception problems).

The 2nd point I do not buy. This is the same argument used for personal inaction about climate change, plastic use or not voting. We've demonstrated time and time again that our individual actions to add up. But they also subtract.

You’ll need to subtract a lot of new climbers to see any decrease in chalked holds :-)

I’m good with trying to limit chalk use. I even use my own home made colored liquid chalk, although I’m not convinced it’s any less unsightly.
But people definitely have different skin and some need chalk a lot more than others 

Mark Pilatewrote:

When conditions are outside the bounds of this rule, and I cannot use chalk in good conscience, I clip an old washcloth in lieu of chalk bag.   I get the same psychological rest of relaxing for a “dry off”, it’s effective, it’s lighter, it leaves no trace, and if I blow a crux, it’s effective emergency bum wipe.

Interesting. I'm gonna try this...

really??? Chalk build up, not bolting! as stated chalk kind of washes off, although not completely, but bolts leave lasting scars even if removed. Lets all just leave sport climbing for the gym and go back to Traditional methods. As the sport grows like it is, there will be many more discussions similar to this one. Lets do our best to be good stewards to the cliffs and mountains we climb and make good decisions for the sake of all climbers current and future.

Gunkiemikewrote:

Anyone who's ever worked a crag clean-up knows that's not so true. Caked-on chalk, mixed over days/weeks/months with skin oils, does not come off with water alone. I have a theory that the chalk forms insoluble magnesium carboxylates, but unfortunately I no longer have access to the analytical techniques to verify this. 

Even when it is rained off chalk eventually bleaches the rock, in a popular spot near me the almost black granite is stained to a pale grey from it. With this being said, roads, paths, clearing of vegetation, entire cities, as far as chalks impact on the world goes it's extremely shallow, if you want to get pissed off about peoples impact on the world there are much more worthy targets than crying about rock being a different colour.

Chalk bothers me far less than spray painted graffiti, which I've seen from California to North Carolina. And that big CU on the Third is an embarrassment.