We have a section of new passage in Rowter Hole that I was lucky enough to discover which is similar to the first photograph posted on this thread. The rope in our case does need to be permanently attached to thus guiding cavers along a set path and therefore, in my mind, negating the need for any tape, which would simply ruin the spectacle.
It is envisaged that only experienced cavers are likely to visit this part of the cave as the SRT techniques to gain access are quite technical. As such, it would be hoped they'd be experienced enough to think carefully about the conservation issues and how best to travel through the cave.
Unfortunately even experienced cavers are not always so well educated in cave conservation and some are simply vandals. It doesn't really matter what conservation measures you employ, the vandals will still do their business, well, apart from a locked gate of course. Unless what the gate was protecting was pretty special and I could get access to it at any reasonable time and without having to be shepherded through the cave with a leader, that wouldn't be acceptable to me.
We hear of the vandalised caves often when discussing access and conservation issues but the examples given are extreme cases. A notable one in Derbyshire was Gimli's Dream in Merlin's Mine, near Stoney Middleton. Unfortunately I was never lucky enough to have seen it in all its glory. I've seen most of the rest of Derbyshire though and its all pretty good really, well except for all the ugly, rusty, unlocked gates in Peak/Speedwell.
There are muddy boot and handprints marking the route through the very pretty high level passages in Rowter but I would much rather see that than tape in any of the new bits.
Just before you get to the Canals in the Berger there is an A4 laminated warning sign hanging on a bolt. Everybody reads it, if only to try and ridicule it, but it does have very important information on it that most cavers take on board.
Perhaps we could try something similar for conservation measures. Maybe its already been tried but if we took some good photographs of any new discoveries, laminated them with the important conservation information clearly marked on them and placed in strategic places it would do as good, if not a better job than tape.
The conservationists need to give some serious thought to educating others. With the majority of our new cavers coming from university clubs, perhaps the powers that be should engage with CHECC and formulate a plan.
I've just noticed another 12 posts on this thread since I started mine, so apologies if it doesn't fit in. I haven't got time to read any, I'm off to the pub.
Mark Wright