Cave Conservation: Everyone’s Responsibilities for Minimum Impact Caving
-
Maintain good relations with landowners, First Nations, land managers and other land users.
-
Be informed about and respect legislation, management plans and access policies protecting cave resources.
-
Limit the size of the party to the minimum required for a safe visit.
-
Use good sources of light. (Avoid using acetylene-based headlamps in confined delicate areas.)
-
Don't smoke or make fires (even at the entrance).
-
Stay on the established "minimum impact" route if already established, or choose the lowest impact route. .
-
Never break or touch speleothems, crystalline deposits, or unique or unusual sediment formations (including flowstone and moonmilk).
-
Don't enter delicate passages.
-
Don't overuse sensitive caves or sensitive interior passages.
-
Avoid marking surfaces needlessly.
-
Don't discard anything (Remove all modern discarded objects, even if you were not responsible for putting them there! Pick up after others).
-
Don't urinate or defecate inside the cave. (Carry out all human waste in the case of bivouac).
-
Don't disturb bats or other living organisms.
-
Avoid altering natural air or water flows.
-
Improve personal technique and abilities rather than permanently modifying the cave.
-
Use bolts only where safe natural or non-marking anchors cannot be used.
-
Place bolts or other permanent fixtures only after thoughtful consultation with the broader caving community, particularly other persons familiar with the cave.
-
Use only high-quality bolts, stainless steel, and record and document the date of installation.
-
Avoid the use of explosives.
We are looking forward to returning to Crowsnest Pass for this years SAGM.
Primary objective this year is to overnight camp in Gargantua July 6th for any cavers who have not had the opportunity to camp in a cave, would like some extra practice, or miss the taste of rocks in their dinner.
Prospective Day trips include:
- Serendipity Ice cave
- Red October
- Booming Ice chasm
- Climbing at Emerald Lake
- Climbing Cleft Window
AB/BC Side approach TBD