Effectiveness of chalk as a friction modifier for finger contact with rocks

<ul><li>Rock climbing is a popular recreational activity & competitive sport (e.g. Olympics).</li><li>Outdoor climbing has wide range of locations, climates, rock types and conditions.</li><li>Indoor climbing features resin holds bolted to the walls of climbing gyms.</li><li>Friction at hand-hold interface is crucial to performance & safety.</li><li>Loads through fingertips vary dependent on body weight, position and overhang.</li><li>e.g. 70kg climber, assuming 25% body weight via one arm, is 13N load on middle finger pad.</li><li>Climbers often use chalk or liquid chalk on their hands, but effectiveness not quantified.</li><li>Chalk thought to dry hand from sweat and moisture and increases friction.</li><li>Scientifically, this is likely to be a much more complex interaction.</li></ul><p dir="ltr">Presented at East Midlands Geological Society 60th Anniversary Conference</p>