Can someone post a link to the research in question.
& I for one would like to know the answer/s.
I did have/have got somewhere a picture of the low traverse at Burbage West with every hand and foothold marked with a massive thick chalk circle.I was literally speechless when I saw it. Off to see if I can locate it.
that's just the 2"Cru tagging again
At Stanage Plantation a couple of weeks ago on a quiet afternoon at the Green Traverse boulder, a couple of young lads came over to join me, both relatively inexperienced but had a couple of attempts. One asked which foothold I was using to pop off the crimp rail and after I pointed it out he whipped out a chalkball from his bag and poffed it all over the hold. I immediately bushed it off and explained politely that you don't chalk footholds (or handholds for that matter). They were both quite surprised/dumbfounded but I think they understood.... (fingers crossed).I don't know where this habit has come from either.....
I doubt climbers use blue chalk.
The Nose & Western Eyes some one had done graffiti in blue chalk.