Stolen bolts at Masson Quarry

[bazdog]

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=406428
    Climbers accuse cavers of stealing bolts from Masson Quarry.  :thumbsdown:

 

[Peter Burgess]

Nice. Reminds me a bit of cavers thinking it couldn't possibly be cavers who vandalised Giants the other week.

 

[stevejw]

Presumably given the boldness of the statement the person who passed the information knows who the miscreants are. If so why weren't they approached directly?

 

[cap n chris]

Aha, but what if it was climbers who were caving on their day off?

 

[Brains]

HoHum...
In this current phase of our sports, I would hazard that climbers are more likely to carry spanners than cavers these days, particularly in the case of this quarry and the associated caves...
Whoever has them, please replace / return them.

BTW, would these climbing bolts even be suitable for caving - I have only direct placement experience with resin anchors. I am aware that several different systems exist and have been used both above and below ground. I believe the actual hangers are a little more universal though?

 

[paul]

BTW, would these climbing bolts even be suitable for caving - I have only direct placement experience with resin anchors. I am aware that several different systems exist and have been used both above and below ground. I believe the actual hangers are a little more universal though?

The postings on UKClimbing don't make it clear if the bolts were removed or just the hangers. If the bolts were removed, then they are probably damaged (as well as the rock) and more likely done either to prevent someone climbing the route(s) (as suggested by others on the UKClimbing forum as only the bolts lower down were affected) or possibly by some climbers taking umbrage at the bolts being present.

If only the hangers were removed then thet would more likely be theft. And, yes, they could be potentially used underground on suitable bolts. But that is unlikely IMHO as the type of bolts which usually are used which accept these sorts if hangers are also usually left in situ underground (unlike spits), if they are used at all.

However, there seems to be no proof that cavers were involved other than it being said cavers were seen there on the Saturday. But that's not unusual given that Masson Mine is accessed via the quarry. A bit like saying cavers must be guilty for damage to a rock climb in Stoney Middleton because cavers were seen there...

 

[finster]

I was there last week one evening with my mate, just for a wander, looking for the entrance to Gentlewomans Shaft then popped into the quarry for a wander and look at the entrance to masson. We met some guys on the way to  and in the quarry all were climbers, but the place is so well known, there's even evidence of people camping there so it's a bit cheeky to say to was cavers.

Like Paul said there's no proof, it could be anyone, even some disgruntled climber who doesn't like fixed bolts.