Polished
“Minimising the onset of polish through a thought provoking and educational series of climbing holds”
Collaborative project with Jakob Glasner
What will rock look like for future generations?
Polish is becoming a massive problem in popular climbing spots, with certain routes being regraded to compensate for their abundance of slippery hand and foot holds. It is an unsolvable problem.
However there are ways of reducing the impact of us climbing on rock, and therefore reducing polish. Simple acts like cleaning shoes, and brushing excess chalk off holds can significantly prolong the onset of polish.
With many climbers starting their careers in gyms, there is very little knowledge or information in the preservation of real rock. The sterile gym environment can lead climbers developing bad habits that are then taken outside.
What if there was a simple way of educating people before they start climbing in the real world?
We think that education is the best solution, and by providing a unique hold series to gyms it will not only give gyms more options for route setting, but lead to a deeper understanding of our impact on the environment.
The holds are modelled after famous climbing areas - Fontainbleau, Frankenjura, Ceuse and so on. And represent these areas after decades of use, if shoes aren’t cleaned and holds not brushed. It gives us an insight into a new type and style of climbing we may all have to become used to, if we don’t follow those simple practices.
How to simulate the onset of abundant polish?
To keep as close to the essence of the idea as possible, we would use 3d scanning software, to create holds that were based from real holds on famous routes.
The final holds would be produced using the same method for dual texture moulds
Testing the concept
Experiment using a silicon mould with resin. Trying out different levels of polish in footholds and experimenting with bringing the time span of polish into the project, by creating a chronological traverse where, as you go along, the footholds become more polished.
