UKC

Chalk on Czech Sandstone? No Sweat

© Tom Briggs
The Czech Mountaineering Union has passed a bill, still to be accepted by the Ministry of Environment, approving the use of chalk on Czech sandstone.

In a historic ruling the Czech Mountaineering Union recently passed a bill approving the use of chalk on Czech sandstone. Ratified by an impressive majority (2034 votes for, 586 against, 169 neutral), the national measure has still to be applied by the local mountaineering commissions and the Ministry of Environment, but if accepted would mark an important change in an area renowned for its long tradition and rigorous ethics.

In truth, chalk has already being used on the sandstone cliff Labak which offers some of the best sport climbing on sandstone in the country, but by lifting the ban all climbers, not only foreigners visiting the area, should no longer find themselves in contrast with complicated local laws.

Full report on PlanetMountain.com


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3 Apr, 2009
Boo! Boo! surely like bolting there has to be some areas where diferent ethics are used. I like the no chalk idea.
3 Apr, 2009
I suspect your views would be different if you had an 8a project on the go there...
3 Apr, 2009
If you check the date on the item on PlanetMountain where this story orginates it is 1 April.....
3 Apr, 2009
typo - originates
3 Apr, 2009
and http://www.czechclimbing.com/clanek.php?key=7736 Czech Mounaineering Union changed the rule of chalk ban on sand Czech mountaineering union approved today the change in ban of chalk usage on Czech sandstones. According to the new decision chalk is not banned in general climbing rules, but the regulation is in competence of the local mountaineering commissions. The change was suggested by the representatives of pro chalk progressive mostly sport climbers who would like to climb on Czech rocks in conditions similar like in the majority of foreign states. The change has come after years of large dispute between the pro chalk progressive sport climbers and anti chalk conservative traditionalists. The ban on Czech sandstones is still valid but the local climbing authorities could find some local exceptions how to solve the local situation. So that would be necessary to discuss local conditions with local climbers about using chalk in the visited Czech sandstone area. The new change was approved by 2034 votes of representatives of General assembly meeting today, 586 were against, 169 were neutral. The Chairman of Czech mountaineering union Zdenek Hruby, who was newly elected two month ago and his the colleagues from the new leadership were for the pro chalk change.
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