| The use of Chalk in modern Rock Climbing is a practice that is used by Climbers worldwide. This is because people believe that Chalk absorbs excess perspiration produced by the hands while Climbing, which results to a better grip and stability.
Essentially, Chalk is composed of magnesium carbonate. However, it is usually added with magnesium sulfate which serves as the drying agent. Introduced during the mid-1950s, Climbers all over the world started to use Chalk while Climbing. A notable instance would be the widespread use of Chalk on the mountainsides of Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin during 1958 as Climbers experienced a substantial difference on the warm, slippery quartzite wall surface.
It is advisable to use Chalks that color matches that of the Rock wall since normal Chalk leaves marks on some mountain routes, smearing the beauty of the mountain wall itself. But of course, there has to be some sort of container where Climbers could place their Chalk. That is where Chalk Bags come in.
Chalk Bags are basically fabric hand-sized bags where the Climbers put their Chalk. These are usually strapped around the Climber’s harness for easy access during Climbs. Take note that strapping Chalk Bags needs to be tight so that it would not dangle as well as it should not be too high on the waist either. It would be hard to re-Chalk the Chalk Bag if left too low; too high would make it harder to reach inside the Chalk Bag.
In choosing the right-sized Chalk Bag, one should consider the following:
* A bigger sized Chalk Bag is better suited for Climbing that requires more effort in strength or stamina, like Sports Climbing for instance. In this case, Climbers will experience more perspiration than usual and would thus need an ample amount of Chalk to keep their hands dry. It would also be convenient if the Climbers would not run out of Chalk along the way.
* Small Chalk Bags are the way to go for technical and competitive Rock Climbing. This is because smaller Chalk Bags are big enough for the hand to grasp, providing a small advantage because since it has less weight and is less interfering. Small Chalk bags are excellent choices for technical and competition Rock Climbing. The smaller-sized bags are usually just big enough for four fingers. Aside from that, they provide a small advantage because they are lighter and are less obtrusive. |
