It is with some trepidation that I start a new thread on recent modifications to this part of the Easegill Cave System. A number of us in the Dales have been alerted to this latest act and I took a couple of photos at the weekend. More and more cavers are likely to see this damage as it is on a popular route, so it is bound to come out sooner or later. I know some folk will be horrified at this damage but please be restrained in any replies.
For my part I think this was a bad idea but I have no idea who was responsible. However, I have personally set off thousands of caps in the Dales and modified many caves with scaffold and other digging techniques. The difference is that my efforts were in the name of exploration or stabilising routes and often in remote and less visible corners of our caves. This modification damage is on a very popular trade route where thousands of cavers have negotiated these climbs quite easily, either by making use of the in-situ rope or rigging their own tackle.
This act is bound to be widely condemned but I would love to know what the motivation is behind it and what the person or persons who did this hoped to achieve. What ever it is please don't do any more without at least talking it through with some of the local caving community.
Capping of a foothold on the upper Wretched Rabbit climbs
A capped foothold on the second climb
For my part I think this was a bad idea but I have no idea who was responsible. However, I have personally set off thousands of caps in the Dales and modified many caves with scaffold and other digging techniques. The difference is that my efforts were in the name of exploration or stabilising routes and often in remote and less visible corners of our caves. This modification damage is on a very popular trade route where thousands of cavers have negotiated these climbs quite easily, either by making use of the in-situ rope or rigging their own tackle.
This act is bound to be widely condemned but I would love to know what the motivation is behind it and what the person or persons who did this hoped to achieve. What ever it is please don't do any more without at least talking it through with some of the local caving community.
Capping of a foothold on the upper Wretched Rabbit climbs
A capped foothold on the second climb