goatchurch drainpipe

[cap n chris]

Grotchurch.

Never heard it called that before.

Which prompts a thought: let's assume/imagine....

A new discovery in Goatchurch results in pristine (not grot) formations being found (similar to the 1987 BEC discovery there). Should the new discovery be gated or allowed to become grot?

 

[whitelackington]

What if Goatchurch connects to Sidcot but via a stunningly decorated pool, like in Upper Flood Swallet. :idea: :icon_321: :doubt:

 

[Peter Burgess]

Unlike GB Main Chamber which gets bigger every time it is surveyed. 

I think you will find it is exactly the same size on the 1950, 1966 and 1983 editions of the survey. 

I think that must be incorrect Graham.
Surely Bat Passage was not known in 1950 :-\

Bat Passage is not part of Main Chamber. So Main Chamber will have remained more or less the same size with or without other discoveries within the cave as a whole.

 

[stealth]

A new discovery in Goatchurch results in pristine (not grot) formations being found (similar to the 1987 BEC discovery there). Should the new discovery be gated or allowed to become grot?

there are arguments for yes and no

GC is worn enough, so on the conservation side of things of any new parts found then that comes into play so maybe it should be gated.
But then that raises the point as GC is such a popular cave is it fair to stop the caving community accessing the new bits.I ll sit on the fence for this one for now I think  :-\
Maybe if new cavers were educated not to touch any pretties and respect the cave enviroment like im teaching my tribe there wouldnt be a need for gating.Or am I being naive?

What if Goatchurch connects to Sidcot but via a stunningly decorated pool

Again this is where educating newbies to the sport kicks in, it would be a shame if it were to deny a mini through trip

 

[Duncan]

Maybe if new cavers were educated not to touch any pretties and respect the cave enviroment like im teaching my tribe there wouldnt be a need for gating.Or am I being naive?

Sadly, yes you probably are.

 

[andymorgan]

Unlike GB Main Chamber which gets bigger every time it is surveyed. 

I think you will find it is exactly the same size on the 1950, 1966 and 1983 editions of the survey. 

I think that must be incorrect Graham.
Surely Bat Passage was not known in 1950 :-\

Bat Passage is not part of Main Chamber. So Main Chamber will have remained more or less the same size with or without other discoveries within the cave as a whole.

Didn't main chamber grow as the end was dug, only to shrink as the '68 floods filled it in?


If Goatchurch was gated Capn, wouldn't you be out of a job?

 

[cap n chris]

Goatchurch gated? - seriously doubt it! Out of a job? No - other caves would just take the brunt which would obviously be a shame,... all the more reason why Goatchurch should remain the de rigeur newbie site. No, the "what if" scenario posited was along the lines of gating a small pristine discovery (internal gate a la Fort Stanton Cave Snowy River series or OFD Columns).

 

[Peter Burgess]

However, if people keep on alleging that they have seen bats in GC (LHs I assume), might there not be pressure to get it closed?

 

[cap n chris]

* Maybe; all the more reason to not make a big play out of witnessing bats large moths down there.
* A gate on G/C would last about... oh,... one minute.