UKC

I've heard from various sources that chalk climbing trashes your your gear? Is this true and is there a specific reason for this? I have a little experience of chalk climbing at Saltdean and I must say I love it! I always clean all my gear after and so far I've noticed no ill effects. Are there chemical/physical properties in chalk that make it nasty stuff to come in to contact with your kit?

In reply to Piers Harley: Salt water is very corrosive!

In reply to Piers Harley:

I'm no chemist but I think the high alkaline content of chalk that hastens rusting if gear is not cleaned after every outing. The sea air is probably less of an issue.

Incidentally, both myself and Rob Marson's crampons sporadically cracked in an identical place last year (in the middle of the front portion of crampon), which was no doubt due to the chalk.

the general impression I'm getting is that its nasty stuff and best clean it off your kit asap!