I was browsing Tik Tok (yes I am ashamed) and saw a video of caver in pretty narrow passage. So that caver took another rock and started to chip in order to widen a little bit the passage, while complaining about not having a hammer with him.

I am a climber, not a caver, and that kind of behaviour would be a big nope in the climbing world (There is a few exceptions where it was done (usually after involving the federation and local community), and it’s still pretty controversial)

So I am curious about caver opinion on that practice.

  • dan1101@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    1 year ago

    Generally NO, the only acceptable defacement of caves I’ve seen are bolts to accommodate rappelling down shafts. Of course with commercial caves they have to do quite a bit of defacement.

    • Axisential@lemmy.nzEnglish
      7·
      1 year ago

      Not always. I run a commercial tour (approx 5k visitors per annum, so fairly small in the great scheme of things) - one of the things we pride ourselves on is keeping the cave in its largely unmodified state. It’s really special to be able to share that with people.

        • Axisential@lemmy.nzEnglish
          5·
          1 year ago

          There are stairs to the cave itself, but inside is a completely natural pathway. Nothing between you and the speleothems except a rope on the ground. Lights are an LED system worn on each individual’s helmet. And about a bazillion glowworms down in the lower levels over a lake.