Introduction by Rauleigh Webb

ACKMA Journal No. 19. June 1995. Pages 11 – 13.

Cave managers in Australasia and other countries of the world constantly struggle with the problems of caver access to caves.  The questions they are always asking themselves are "What standards does this group of cavers apply when visiting caves?" "How can I be sure that they will take every precaution to ensure they minimise their impact on the caves they visit?" The ASF Code of Ethics is a very important code that guides the general ethics of all cavers belonging to the ASF.  However this code provides general guidelines with little detail about how to reduce the general caving impacts of cavers.

The need for a Minimal Impact Caving Code (MICC) has evolved over many years as cavers have realized the impact that they have on caves.  That impact is so diverse and varied that it has become necessary to devise a caving code that ensures that cavers are aware of the measures that are necessary to reduce their impact on caves.  To this end the ASF had developed and adopted the following MICC.

As cave and karst managers 1 would recommend that you read this code and understand the requirements for the implementation of the MICC in many of the caving areas in Australasia.  In some cases the MICC may only apply to small zones or areas of cave within a large cave system.  Cavers should be made fully aware that you, as the cave manager, expect the MICC to be applied whether it is in small zones or entire cave systems.  Cave managers should specify, via permits, specifically where the MICC is to be applied and that the cave leader or party members are carrying the appropriate track markers, etc, before entering the permitted caves. 

A standard for track and route marking as well as barricades should be adopted by cave managers and then cavers should be asked to use these standards when performing any in-caving marking.  Such a standard has been published by Norm Poulter (Australian Caver No 137, p 17-25 1994).  Managers may wish to adapt this standard to local conditions - but the standard should be well published to all cavers visiting the area.

I urge cave managers to adopt this code for all caving activities, where it is considered appropriate.  If you believe that the MICC had overlooked some of your concerns then please forward your ideas to me and I will advise the ASF of any ACKMA input.

General

This MICC should be used in conjunction with the ASF Code of Ethics. This code is divided into two sections.  One relating to the exploration of a newly discovered cave or section of cave and the other relating to general cave visitation.

The following practices may fall into both sections and may be modified depending on the type of cave being visited.  It should be stated that we are discussing here a code which will ensure that cavers have a minimal impact on the cave they are visiting.  In many instances the practices may not apply as the impact that cavers have may be minuscule, compared to the impact of flooding of the entire cave, for example.  These practices are generally intended to apply in caves where cavers are likely to have a detrimental impact on the cave purely by entering the cave.  This type of cave is generally referred to as a low energy cave system.  As an example many of the shallow dry caves of the Nullarbor fall into this category.

In-cave marking refers to the use of a variety of materials to define tracks, routes and barricade in a cave.  These measures should be taken to protect sensitive areas, confine caver foot damage make cavers aware that a sensitive (it may be an unobvious cave animals' territory) area exists.

General Cave Visitation

1) Remember EVERY caving trip has an impact. Is this trip into this cave necessary? If it is just for recreation, is there another cave that is less vulnerable to damage that can be  visited?  Make this assessment depending on the purpose of your visit, the size and  experience of the proposed party, and IF THE TRIP IS LIKELY to damage the cave.

2) Where possible the party leader should have visited the cave previously and hence should be aware of sensitive features of the cave, the best anchor points, and generally reduce  the need for unnecessary exploration.

3) Cave slowly. You will see and enjoy more, and there will be less chance of damage to the cave and to yourself. This especially applies when you are tired and exiting a cave.

4) If there are beginners on a trip, make sure that they are close to an experienced caver, so that the experienced caver can help then when required, e.g. in difficult sections.  Ensure that the party caves at the pace of the slowest caver.

5) Keep your party size small - 4 is a good party size.

6) Cave as a team - help each other through the cave. Don't split up unless impact is reduced by doing so.

7) Constantly watch your head placement AND that of your party members. Let them know before they are likely to do any damage.

8) Keep caving packs as small as possible and don't use them in sensitive caves or extensions.

9) Ensure that party members don't wander about the cave unnecessarily. 

10) Stay on all marked or obvious paths. If no paths are marked or none is obvious – define  ONE!

11) Learn to recognise cave deposits or features that may be damaged by walking or crawling on them. Examples are: Drip Holes, Stream Sediments, Paleo soils, Soil Cones, Crusts, Flowstone, Cave Pearls, Asphodilites, Bone materials, Potential Archaeological sites, Cave Fauna, Coffee & Cream, Tree Roots.

12) Take care In the placement of hands and feet throughout a cave.

13) Wash your caving overalls and boots regularly so that the spread of bacteria and fungi are minimized.

14) If a site is obviously being degraded, examine the site carefully to determine if an alternative route is possible. Any alternative route MUST not cause the same or greater degradation than the currently used route.  If an alternative is available suggest the alternative route to the appropriate management authority and report the degradation.

15) Carry in-cave marking materials while caving and restore any missing markers. Tape off sensitive areas you believe are being damaged and report the damage to the appropriate management authority.

16) If it is necessary to walk on flowstone in a cave remove any muddied boots and or clothing before proceeding OR DON'T PROCEED!  Sometimes it is better to assess the situation and return at a later date with the appropriate equipment.

17) Treat the cave biota with respect, watch out for them, and avoid damaging them and their "traps", webs, etc.  Also avoid directly lighting cave biota if possible.

18) If bone material is found on existing or proposed traels it should be moved off the track to a safer location if at all possible.  Collection should only be undertaken with appropriate permission.

19) If you eat food in a cave ensure that small food fragments are not dropped as this may impact the cave biota.  One way is to carry a plastic bag to cat over and catch the food fragments.  This can then be folded up and removed from the cave.

20) Ensure that all foreign matter is removed from caves. This includes human waste. If long trips are to be made into a cave ensure that containers for the removal of liquid and solid waste are included on the trip inventory.

21) When rigging caves with artificial anchors, e.g. traces, tapes, rope etc, ensure that minimal damage occurs to the anchor site by protecting the site.  For example protect frequently used anchors, e.g. trees, with carpets, packs, cloth, etc.  Bolts should only be used where natural anchors are inappropriate.

22) CAVE SOFTLY!

New Cave or Extension Explorations

1) The existing microbiology of the new cave, both fungi, bacteria, and a world of protozoa, will almost certainly be irreversibly contaminated on the first trip into the cave!  If you consider cave microbiology has not been investigated in the area of this new cave, if cave microbiologists are available, then please consider including them on initial explorations so that they may collect uncontaminated samples.

2) Do not enter the new area if you do not have the equipment required to undertake the minimal activities.  Surveying equipment and in-cave markers.

3) The minimal activity should be in-cave marking and surveying. Not purely exploration.

4) Ensure that all alternative routes are examined, by completing the cave survey, prior to crossing sensitive areas.  It may not be necessary to enter some areas as they can be by-passed.

5) Having determined that a sensitive area is to be crossed it should ALWAYS be marked. Reduce future damage by defining a distinct, minimal width track. 

6) Discuss in-cave marking within the party and ensure that all ideas are evaluated before marking is undertaken.

7) CAVE SOFTLY!