AR
Well-known member
tobyk said:This damage is criminal (or should be), and I fear this section of cave will be tainted for me now.
If it's in a SSSI, then it is potentially....
tobyk said:This damage is criminal (or should be), and I fear this section of cave will be tainted for me now.
It is possible to climb them all without rope, I tried once many years ago (when I was young and full of energy), hard work as you get higher up the climbs but doable (and I'm definitely not a rock rat). If removal of rope was a reason then the first rope (as you exit) shouldn't have been there in the first place as that's the really easy one..Alex said:The only upside to these being cut in could mean that all the unsightly hand-lines could be removed as they would not be needed with these footholds now? This may make up for it and indeed make the climbs look more natural when the rock "weathers" with footfall. Just looking on the upside.
Again however, such a modification as these footholds should not be made unilaterally in such a popular place even if that was the intended purpose of removing the rope. Like everyone else I am just guessing as to their purpose.
tobyk said:Maybe an idea, which would require work, but could a pamphlet be put together by the BCA or CNCC of ?how to behave in caves? and if you want to make modifications these should be justified first and go through an appropriate channel. The pamphlet could be sent out with the BCA insurance card each year as a reminder.
AR said:tobyk said:This damage is criminal (or should be), and I fear this section of cave will be tainted for me now.
If it's in a SSSI, then it is potentially....
Cap'n Chris said:Putting signs in caves, just beyond the limit of daylight penetration (i.e. somewhere that only someone who is caving can reach if they are equipped with a light source for personal navigation) has been mentioned to at least one RC and the BCA (at C&A level), and here, more times than I can remember yet in this country it is a topic which seems to elicit an irrational disdain from certain quarters, despite it being standard practice in much of Europe: such signs can convey, using icons so there is no language barrier, acceptable standards of behaviour. WhyTF we don't have them in the UK is a mystery, especially as there are memorial plaques, rescue organisation info-signs, and roadsigns littering numerous classic caves around and about, so the precedent already exists.
TheBitterEnd said:It seems to me that the place to start is to calmly and gently ask the step installers and cappers why ...
Bob Mehew said:tobyk suggested a leaflet be pushed out by BCA to all members on 'how to behave in caves' ...
However, the message needs an outline of the ideas it should cover. My initial thought was creating a message focusing on 'modifying caves', be it adding aids or making holds. I am unsure quite what 'how to behave in caves' could cover. But ideas like don't touch stall, keep between tape come to mind.
With a set of ideas for content, drafting the message should not be too difficult.
Give the bloke or lass a chance - I'm sure common sense will then eventually prevail.