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Post by Chris W on Apr 26, 2014 9:41:15 GMT -7
This may sound odd or trivial, but I've actually put a lot of thought into this over the years and am wondering what other people do. How do you apply sunscreen at the crag? When the sun is out, and especially when the weather is warm, sunscreen is a must for me. I will burn if I'm not careful and have a family history of skin cancer. The problem, of course, is that sunscreen will leave you a bit greasy which isn't ideal for climbing. So far, I apply sunscreen at the car and hit pretty much any and all exposed skin. Then, I'll wash my hands with extra water and some camp suds and count on lots of chalk to keep them from getting burned. I'll often, however, knee bar/arm bar/arm jam/elbow jam/head jam anything possible into the rock to help with rest stances and don't want to grease up my holds. I've experimented with different brands, and so far have found the Burt's Bees Wax brand to leave me feeling the least slimy. Anyone have any thoughts?
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Post by MarkAnderson on Apr 27, 2014 8:13:58 GMT -7
A couple thoughts:
1. Performance-oriented climbers should rarely be climbing in the sun!
2. Avoiding sun exposure in the first place is far superior to using sunscreen. Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat and long sleeves/pants as necessary to protect on approaches or while belaying in the sun.
3. There are sunscreens that advertise "dry application" or "non slip grip". IME these aren't as dry as advertised, but they're better than the typical sunscreen
4. It takes an hour or so after application for sunscreen to become effective. This is a great reason to apply sunscreen at home/before you leave for the crag, then thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Pick an "all day" sunscreen (is there such a thing?) so you only have to do this once each day.
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Post by slimshaky on May 6, 2014 9:57:09 GMT -7
for me, sun and shade are probably the biggest dilemnas of the day. i avoid the sun like the plague, unless it is winter. if, for some reason, i know that i will be in the sun i either have my wife apply the sunscreen (she doesn't seem bothered by buttery hands), or i use plastic sandwich bags to apply it. but i still think the best thing is to climb in the shade when possible.
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Post by tomfallen on May 6, 2014 14:18:23 GMT -7
Liquid chalk does a pretty good job of neutralizing any chalk on your hands.
I've never had difficulties with sunscreen relating to armbars or kneebars, but you could chalk your arms or knees. Or just wear pants or long sleeves.
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Post by kerwinl on Jul 1, 2014 13:18:19 GMT -7
While bouldering I often carry a bottle of rubbing alcohol to clean and dry my hands before starting a session a problem. I have also used the rubbing alcohol to clean off grimey holds.
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Post by iepsje on Aug 21, 2015 0:55:17 GMT -7
or i use plastic sandwich bags to apply it. Hahah brilliant! I really need to remind that one. We try to avoid the sun as well, but in summer time it sometimes is unavoidable at the top of the routes, then I like sunscreen. We use the one on alcohol base (not visible) as it seems to be less greasy (and if you really do not want to touch it, you can just spray and let it be).
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Post by jetjackson on Jan 18, 2016 16:35:08 GMT -7
A couple thoughts: 1. Performance-oriented climbers should rarely be climbing in the sun! On the weekend I applied sunscreen before we hit a wall here in Texas, I had to chalk up a few times and kind of rub my hands together to get the slime of the sunscreen off. I came down from the climb to find the skin peeling off the tips of my fingers. The sunscreen must have softened them up too much. On the way home I was thinking WWTABD? What would the Anderson Bros do?... I figured they would probably just not climb in the sun. Realistically, it's only ever the arms, neck and face that get hit - next time I'll just convince my wife to apply the sunscreen.
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Post by slimshaky on Jan 19, 2016 14:58:37 GMT -7
definitely, never apply sunscreen (or eat something oily, etc etc) with bare hand prior to climbing or training. i have a friend who brings latex gloves for this purpose, but a couple plastic sandwich bags would work also. that being said, i just avoid sunlight also.
i like my friend's quote when he sees some young dude greasing off some heinous route in the blistering sunlight: "young, dumb, and climbing in the sun."
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Post by aikibujin on Feb 1, 2016 20:26:08 GMT -7
When my partners drag me kicking and screaming (and maybe smoking a little) into the sun to climb, I use a Neutrogena sunscreen stick. You can apply it without getting your hands all greasy, the only downside is that people think you're weird because you're putting deodorant on your face.
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Post by ruststains on Jul 6, 2017 9:20:31 GMT -7
I have this problem a lot, being a pasty ginger. The problem is, the backs of my hands often get burns too. One solution to this problem is to squirt sunscreen onto the back of one hand and just rub the backs of your hands together, using them to apply the sunscreen to each other. You should also investigate the aerosol-based sport sunscreens. They are typically FAR less greasy.
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dsm
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dsm on Jul 8, 2017 22:12:51 GMT -7
They do make sunscreen that goes on like most deoderant, so in a plastic cylindric tube that you can roll on without ever having to put your fingertips on the stuff.
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Post by jessebruni on Jul 20, 2017 9:57:48 GMT -7
This is actually a legitimate concern when deep water soloing. Deep water soling isn't often a "push your limits" sort of thing (at least not for me), and there's rarely shade, so climbing with sunscreen on is a must. I like the roll-on or spray on, or use latex gloves, or get someone who isn't climbing to apply it. Never get sunscreen on your hands and try to grab the rock.
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