Caves with leader access

[Peter Burgess]

Short term memory wotsit.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Reservoir Hole is a leader system for conservation purposes. There are plenty of other easy caves which have leaders, such as Pen Park Hole, Shatter Cave, W/L.

Just a thought.

O.K.
we agree Reservoir Cave is an easy little cave.
What on earth needs that level of protection.
It is not like you have to lay in cold water with delicate straws above your head, is it.
If a cave like that needs protection, then on that basis Carcass Cave, Coral Cave, Manor Farm, G.B., should be protected.

Mick - can you provide a full list of vulnerable features in Reservoir Hole? Can you provide a list of specific activities that would be frowned on in Reservoir Hole and the reasons why those activities might be forbidden? Do you know the specific conditions of access that might have been laid down by the owners? If you can do all this, maybe you should consider becoming a leader yourself? And if you can do all this, you probably wouldn't be asking the question in the first place.

Just as an aside, may I say how refreshing it is to discuss something that isn't full of your nasty foul-mouthed expletives about MPs etc. Keep it up, please.

 

[cap n chris]

Of course he can, Peter, he's just pulling our legs; since WL is the ex-Conservation & Access officer at the MCG he will surely as eggs is eggs have read the NCA Cave Conservation Handbook which contains all the relevant topics and includes, *golly-gosh!*, photos of Reservoir Hole.

 

[martinr]

.

 

[pete h]

Short term memory wotsit.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Reservoir Hole is a leader system for conservation purposes. There are plenty of other easy caves which have leaders, such as Pen Park Hole, Shatter Cave, W/L.

Just a thought.

O.K.
we agree Reservoir Cave is an easy little cave.
What on earth needs that level of protection.
It is not like you have to lay in cold water with delicate straws above your head, is it.
If a cave like that needs protection, then on that basis Carcass Cave, Coral Cave, Manor Farm, G.B., should be protected.

As you were conservation and access officer for the M.C.G. why is there a leadership system for Bone Hole, far easier and less formations than Reservoir Hole.

 

[martinr]

....... why is there a leadership system for Bone Hole,......

This is required by the terms of our lease from National Trust and is not a condition made by MCG. This is to protect the archaeological deposits within the upper part of the cave.

....far easier and less formations than Reservoir Hole....

As for why it has fewer formations than Reservoir: All the formations were "borrowed" before MCG were granted a lease. I think they can be seen in Goughs Cave now.

Can I also point out that MCG are not a "traditional" caving club formed exclusivley for sport, but are a conservation body (Mendip Caving Group. UK Charity Number 270088. The object of the Group is, for the benefit of the public, the furtherance of all aspects of the exploration, scientific study and conservation of caves and related features. Membership shall be open to anyone over the age of 16 years with an interest in the objects of the Group)

 

[Keith Pearson]

Hi,
As far as Devon caving area is concerned the caves for which a leader system is in operation are :-

Reed's Cave (Buckfastleigh)
Rift Cave (Buckfastleigh)
Bunkers Hole (Dean Prior nr Buckfastleigh)

Reed's and Rift Cave leaders are moderated by William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust.
Bunkers Hole leaders are moderated by Devon and Cornwall Underground Council (DCUC).

Berry Head Nature Reserve caves ( nr Brixham) will be coming under a leadership system in the near future pending negotiations with Natural England - the leaders will be moderated by DCUC.  I hope this helps.

Regards,  Keith Pearson