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paintinhaler
Oct 22, 2001, 6:19 AM
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Registered: Dec 12, 2000
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I have been wanting to start a chalk clean up at my local crag. I have heard about most crags haveing one. How do you start them. Do you think anyone would get mad about cleaning climbs? Thannks...
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pollux
Oct 22, 2001, 6:35 AM
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Registered: Aug 26, 2001
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If anyone gets mad the should be shot. nothing worse than going to climb and having nothing but a white wall. Takes some of the fun out of it. You see where the good holds are instead of finding the way yourself. So clean, and if anyone says something screw em' they shouldn't be climbing.
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rrrADAM
Oct 22, 2001, 6:46 AM
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I don't think anyone would get mad. rrrADAM p.s. pollux, do you have a twin brother named Castor ???
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pollux
Oct 22, 2001, 6:48 AM
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Registered: Aug 26, 2001
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Ah, you know your constellations, no I don't. Maybe then I would have a dependable climbing partner.
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darkside
Oct 22, 2001, 10:32 AM
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Yeah by all means clean chalk off, organise a clean up even. But let's get some suggestions going here as to how to clean. Bear in mind that carrying a toothbrush for spot cleaning is all well and good but how would/do you go about cleaning on a larger scale. At the same time you clean, you have to be careful not to damage the rock, polishing the holds on limestone for example. BTW. while dynamite would work, it may change the route a little, so don't use it.
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pushfurther
Oct 22, 2001, 7:53 PM
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Registered: Oct 17, 2001
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i would go to your local gym and see what they think and print up some flyers..make an event out of it..don't just limit it to cleaning chalk. get trashbags and pick up cigarette butts, tape, etc. that people tend to leave behind. good luck and have fun.
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rck_climber
Oct 22, 2001, 8:26 PM
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Registered: Aug 28, 2001
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I've done a few of these with the local chapter of the Access Fund and we just met up at the crag w/ buckets of water and some brushes and went to town. I'm not sure about scheduling, I get an e-mail from our folks when they're looking to do one. Mick
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metoliusmunchkin
Oct 22, 2001, 8:49 PM
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Registered: Apr 7, 2001
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Personally I do not mind haveing a route spread with chalk. This only goes to show that it is a good route, and that it is well known, and climbed often. I must admit though, having no chalk on the route at all, makes it a lot harder, and takes some of the fun out of it. I have never participated n one of these chalk clean ups, but, if it's in my area I would be glad to do one. And, if there isn't one, I do not mind, I just there for the rock, and not about the chalk on the rock.
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pushfurther
Oct 22, 2001, 11:33 PM
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Registered: Oct 17, 2001
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you might not be offended by the chalk but alot of non-climbers are and therefore it could lead to access problems..
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mountainmike
Oct 23, 2001, 3:43 AM
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Registered: Apr 11, 2001
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I think that it is great that you want to organize a clean up in your area. I would suggest organizing it through your local stores since there isn't a really popular gym in you area. I would contact Louis and Clark, Uncle Sams, and Pack Rat. I am pretty sure that Uncle sams would help you out. But you never know about the other two. Good luck and keep up you desire to imrprove your local climbing scene.
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rck_climber
Oct 24, 2001, 9:27 PM
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Push nailed it on the head. MM, while it really doesn't matter to most climbers, tourists do not come to see chalk marks on the beautiful rocks, they come to see the beautiful rocks alone - to them it's just like spray-painting graffiti on them. When enough people get upset over this, they can initiate action to close the area to climbers entirely - a bad thing. That's why it's so important that we as climbers respect not only the rock, but the surrounding areas of our favorite crags and always leave them better than we found them. This will, hopefully, show local civic leaders that we care for the area and tehy will keep the area open to climbers. Mick
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metoliusmunchkin
Oct 24, 2001, 9:31 PM
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You guys are absolutely right, I have never thought of it that way. I have been a climber for so long, that I have forgotten how to enjoy the rock for what it is, and not just a sport route. Thanks for the pointer. ~Pat.
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