UKC Conservation Rewards

[cap n chris]

I hope this initiative leads to the removal of several hundred tackle bags full of rubbish and abandoned gear from our caves.

Hear hear.

 

[Inferus]

Is it beyond the wit of man for those with anything other than a short term dig

But surely every dig is short term? It'll go this time, opens up around this corner, a few more rocks, only a few buckets etc etc.. 

I do see your point. Not sure it would gain widespread support though - some people get very uptight when "their" dig is touched..

Pre rigged caves for divers tend to be rigged with rope which most consider to be well beyond date, should these have a note on them?

Some do, not just divers (I recall seeing Misty Mountain ropes in Ireby with a note attached), it's a tricky subject. I'm certainly no diver but I know diving projects can take a very long time, sometimes far longer than originally envisaged (availability, weather, vis etc) and it becomes quite easy for the installer of notes to forget to update them when a certain date has passed..

 

[cap n chris]

Is it beyond the wit of man for those with anything other than a short term dig

But surely every dig is short term? It'll go this time, opens up around this corner, a few more rocks, only a few buckets etc etc.. 

Not on Mendip. No digging crew is serious, or will have much credibility, unless they are prepared to dedicate a minimum opening attempt of up to five years before backing off (according to long-standing tradition). Having a sign in for this first chapter explaining that the dig is active would not be onerous.

 

[Pitlamp]

I hope this initiative leads to the removal of several hundred tackle bags full of rubbish and abandoned gear from our caves.

Hear hear.

Absolutely - I'll second that.

However, on the subject of leaving notes, it shouldn't be up to the diggers to have to leave notes to try and pre-empt would be karst refuse collectors. It's up to those who are contemplating doing a (well meaning) clean up if there's any possible doubt.

So; "if in doubt; keep your hands to yourself."

The only way not to be in doubt is to make some effort to ask first.

Rather than plastering it all over the internet straight away - which some diggers might not want for a great many legitimate reasons (just think for a moment why I typed that . . . ) - perhaps the first port of call might be to contact any club which is listed against a site in Descent's "Adopt A Cave Scheme" (if the cave is listed)? A club which has "adopted" a cave in this way may well have a good idea of what's going on and who is involved.

Once again - please can I stress that I do support this scheme generally. It's only the detail which wants sorting out better.

 

[graham]

If the cave concerned is a SSSI then the diggers will have needed to get consent from Natural England, so, ask your local NE bod and/or whoever drew up the management plan.

 

[RUSS B]

Badlad,

Apologies for taking so long but i have spoken with the Bogarts and the pile of digging stuff you referred to at Mincemeat Aven is nothing to do with them, nor was it taken in by them, they do have some digging equipment in that area which is actively being used but that is neatly tucked away and not in with any of the old stuff.

Russ