UKH

I was horrified to see orange spots on the rock marking some of the holds at the The Cave in the Ring Road Boulders area today. See the photo. 

It's hard to be sure if it is spray paint. I brushed one for a while and it sort of came off. I thought it best not to do any more. 

My guess is that it is someone who is inexperienced and has no idea that this is not acceptable. There are no recent logged ascents that would suggest who it was. I only hope that word gets to them before they do any more of this.

FFS! As if the amount of chalk there wasnt enough. I will go and put a sign up stating I will chop their hands off if I catch them.

Any idea what can be done about the orange spots that won't make things worse?

I will pop down with some water to see if it is paint.

It may (hopefully) be 'chalk paint' used for site marking out. And by running 'events' (like the Highland Tw*ts) to mark the route every 3m, and point out any pebble trip hazards...

Ah yes thanks. Aerosol chalk spray seems to be what it is, like this: https://usscproducts.com/field-marking-paints/aerosol-field-marking-paints/.... The ad says it can be brushed off or washed off with soapy water. I hope an orange residue is not left.

Bumping this to spread the word that this is unacceptable.

We climbed Troutdale Pinnacle on Saturday and were gobsmacked at the amount of chalk someone had used to mark the major holds. I'm talking full white-out of the rock. The only way they could have achieved that kind of covering would be to repeatedly mash a full chalk ball into the stone – presumably to highlight key holds for inexperienced seconds.

I'd say this is totally unacceptable, too. It certainly isn't necessary for grip, and actually seemed to make some of the more polished holds more slippy than they would otherwise be. Plus it's just a major fking eyesore... 

Bad news I'm afraid. Its paint.   Idiots.

Aargh. That's awful.