Pitlamp
Well-known member
Good point (I think it was Sam) about greater influence wielded by large bodies such as BMC, Ramblers etc. But we must not forget that the problems cavers have getting around are much greater than those of mountaineers and walkers who most often enjoy the Peak by getting around on foot with everything in one rucsack. Even basic caving gear for just one trip is much heavier / bulkier. Compound that by going for a full weekend's caving (add pit, grub, cooking gear, maybe a tent etc) and it becomes very problematic to use buses etc. And what if you are exploring / digging? I'll bet you'd be popular un a bus with great baulks of timber for shoring. What if you are an explosives licence holder? Suppose you want to go cave diving? It just doesn't work does it?
However, what if you are a responsible person and only use a vehicle when absolutely necessary? (Just as an example I live 2 miles from where I work and normally walk; I only drive when the weather is very bad as I don't want to stuff carbon into the air unnecessarily). Such a caver, whilst using a vehicle when absolutely necessary, would still have a minimal net vehicle use over a full year.
If cavers were to negociate a joint position with the BMC it would be VITAL to make clear the special transport problems we have. In the meantime I still think it would help if DCA pro-actively vetoed the initiative with the PDNP as early in the process as possible.
However, what if you are a responsible person and only use a vehicle when absolutely necessary? (Just as an example I live 2 miles from where I work and normally walk; I only drive when the weather is very bad as I don't want to stuff carbon into the air unnecessarily). Such a caver, whilst using a vehicle when absolutely necessary, would still have a minimal net vehicle use over a full year.
If cavers were to negociate a joint position with the BMC it would be VITAL to make clear the special transport problems we have. In the meantime I still think it would help if DCA pro-actively vetoed the initiative with the PDNP as early in the process as possible.