'Cave entrances' spotted on Mars

[martinr]

Apparently, scientists studying pictures from Nasa's Odyssey spacecraft have spotted what they think may be seven caves on the surface of Mars.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6461201.stm

Now we know where whitelackington' s secret dig was!

I hope he had permission to dig from the MCC (Martian Caving Committee Ltd). Or is is CMCC controlled?

[darkplaces]

Any mines 

[Cap'n Chris]

Yeah, but they've all been gated.

[paul]

Or are they actually Quarries and not Mines?

[truescrumpy]

would a spare bottle be suitable for exploring there ? 

[AndyF]

Do you need a permit to visit them........yet

[Dep]

I emailed NASA, they said I need BCA insurance. But where's my card?

[darkplaces]

What RCC defines were we can and cant bolt?
Has Biff already measured the cave entrances and built gates for them yet

[Les W]

What RCC defines were we can and cant bolt?
Has Biff already measured the cave entrances and built gates for them yet

It's got nothing to do with NASA they are just supplying the transport.

Access is controlled by the Martian Caving Council and the rigging topo can be found in the latest edition of Mars Underground.
BCA insurance is desirable but not mandatory, the local cavers can give you more advice on flooding risks, high CO₂ levels, etc.
Don't forget your Babel Fish^(tm)

[shotlighter]

What RCC defines were we can and cant bolt?
Has Biff already measured the cave entrances and built gates for them yet

It's got nothing to do with NASA they are just supplying the transport.

Access is controlled by the Martian Caving Council and the rigging topo can be found in the latest edition of Mars Underground.
BCA insurance is desirable but not mandatory, the local cavers can give you more advice on flooding risks, high CO₂ levels, etc.
Don't forget your Babel Fish^(tm)

What about towel & peanuts?

[graham]

Don't Panic!

[Stupot]

[darkplaces]

With gravity on Mars only 38% of earth, SRT should be easier, or would it 

[traff]

After 'Deep Thought' it is believed there is 42km of passage

[Les W]

So no chance of a "World class system" then

[Dep]

With gravity on Mars only 38% of earth, SRT should be easier, or would it 

Gravitationally yes.
But the gasping for breath and being really really cold might put a downer on the trip.
Actually, on a dirty rope with a newish stop you might have problems descending as you will only have the weight of a child.

[Cave_Troll]

kit would need to be redesigned as the ropes could be thinner

[gus horsley]

Don't tell Bush or he'll be sending troops there to flush out Osama Bin Laden.  Then again, it might not be a bad idea...

[andymorgan]

Was anybody else hugely upset like me when the USA bombed the caves in Afghanistan?

[Cave_Troll]

yes, bombing camps, houses, chinese embasies, red cross buildings and foreign media stations is fine.
but GODDAMMIT bombing the caves is the last straw.

[axbridgecaver]

I'm sure when the US visit the caves they will be thoroughly explored - but they won't publish the surveys!