[chappers]

whats the crack?
i use a very soft old tooth brush and was threatened by some local type that i will get beaten up if i continue to use said brush.
am i in the wrong? there are no notices up down there.

[Bubba]

Can't see what's wrong with a toothbrush.

[Soxs]

WTF?? They said they'd beat you up!!! what twats. Bet they were punters who caused even more erosion by their shit footwork, along with not doubt talking to loudly and wrecking the atmosphere of the crag.

[chappers]

i did point out that they were on the way to top rope some routes. that didnt go down to well. he took it upon himself to give me a geology lesson. oh well.

[lorentz]

Bunch of arse, mate.

You shouldn't have to take that type of shit off anyone. A toothbrush will do fuck all compared to a toprope setup; however much carpet gets used the rope always seems to rub somewhere. Plus the carpet can kill and damage vegetation above the rock and speed erosion up. Seems to me that you ran into some self-righteous c++t with a firm grasp of the wrong end of the stick. Unlucky...

I reckon that lightly brushing away the shitty loose sand that gets blown around and collects in all the pockets and holds is a lot more erosion friendly than leaving it there where it will act as an abrasive and, after successive climbing, further erode the thin crust of the rock (not to mention yer finger tips!)

Of course explaining this to some excitable type can sometimes prove difficult. Some "positive" reinforcement may be needed! 

[runt]

Encountered probably the same muppets last year, seemed to think if you couldn't flash the 6c we were on, brushing and working it were not allowed. Obviously we had a soft brush and a textbook belay, static rope, rope protector, no rope rub etc.
Mainly I just use a towel for cleaning anyway, but there are some proper aggressive types floating about, bit difficult to ignore too as you found out!
With any luck they'll naff off eventually and go back to fighting after last orders at the weekend instead of climbing

[chappers]

bit difficult to ignore too as you found out!

yeah, was a bit pissed off to be honest so i just went home, should have stood my ground and told the wanker to f-off.

in the words of the dude: "this agression will not stand"

brushing and working it were not allowed.

bear in mind that these are the type of people who go and top the same climb over and over every sunday.

[lorentz]

Alright Chappers.Which bit off southern sandstone was this asshole harassing you at by the way? Harrisons? High Rocks? Just useful to know so we can all be adequately prepared for fisticuffs should it all kick off next time we're down there. Cheers mate.

"The dude will prevail..."

[chappers]

i happened to be brushing a tick mark off the sloper on the prow of the north boulder at harrisons at the time.
do you get out on the sand sandstone a bit then?

[lorentz]

Wouldn't class myself as a regular by any means, but get out squinting into the daylight from the indoor wall at Mile End once in a while. Even that's been on the back burner recently cos works getting busy and finally moved house just yesterday.

However, intending to get meself down in the not too distant. Crash mat check, shoes check, chalk and toothbrush check, big fuck-off iron bar check...

[chappers]

 :D
sweet, if you are heading out, give me a PM

[lorentz]

I'ight. Fo'sure

[krolis]

I met the same sort of guys at bowles, he noticed my imperfect english and startedto explain solowly that a toothbrush will destroy the rock. Then he joined his friends and started a singing contest with a guitar, during my 2 hours stay he used anasazi lace up exclusively for walking propably to avoid any damadge to said rock. From now on i will limit my conversation with such types to " no abla inglese".

[ian h]

i would have just told the prick to piss off, guess i am lucky i have never encountered any of these type of people around

i rekon it is probably just like you say punters,, who dont know what they are talking about

there did use to be a notice up down at the north boulder based on pantontinos bouldering comandments in the wales guide but i think it got vandalised.