What can be done about damaged clay?

[victorzamora]

In response to the "motocross in Peacock" thread, it got me thinking....is there something that can be done to reduce the damage to some of these caves?? I know there's a lot of effort going into prevention, and I'm aware of the whole "Ounce of prevention" adage, but is there something that can be done to fix the damaged clay in low-to-no-flow caves?

The one spot I really hurt for is the "deep section" in Twin Caves, between the fissure at 1000ft and the back-to-back arrows of the gold line circuit.

[Kelly Jessop]

In response to the "motocross in Peacock" thread, it got me thinking....is there something that can be done to reduce the damage to some of these caves?? I know there's a lot of effort going into prevention, and I'm aware of the whole "Ounce of prevention" adage, but is there something that can be done to fix the damaged clay in low-to-no-flow caves?

The one spot I really hurt for is the "deep section" in Twin Caves, between the fissure at 1000ft and the back-to-back arrows of the gold line circuit.

There are quite a few things that can be done,but you have to be careful because repairs can cause more damage. Ideally repairs need to be done prior to a reversal because it will fill in with sediment. How do you fix it? This is really not an internet answer but a demonstration answer,because well meaning intent can be just as harmful as the original problem.

[nakatomi]

The one spot I really hurt for is the "deep section" in Twin Caves, between the fissure at 1000ft and the back-to-back arrows of the gold line circuit.

The holes would need to be filled. They are so deep that using a trowel, hand or even a rake will not fix it.
Once filled, the usual silt blowing through the cave would cover it in due course.
Personally I would advise not to touch the clay there and leave it as it is.
And the next time people are caught crawling on the floor, maybe someone should punch them where it hurts and cut their c-cards into little pieces.

[Kevin Leonhardt]

And the next time people are caught crawling on the floor, maybe someone should punch them where it hurts and cut their c-cards into little pieces.

The ironic thing is that the worst of the damage in Twin was caused by diver's earning their c-cards. Several years ago there was an instructor letting their students experience a real silt out by intentionally disturbing the bottom in that section of cave.

[WEPIV]

Michael Angelo can work miracles with clay while underwater but even he can only do so much.

[mgif99]

If I'm watching this correctly, looks like they have scooters in the Skiles Passage at Twin?

[bamafan]

If I'm watching this correctly, looks like they have scooters in the Skiles Passage at Twin?

It looks to me as if they tried to go down Skiles passage and realized they weren't going to fit so they turned around and went the other way to get to the back of Twin. Definitely not some diving I would be proud of.

I really don't think it is any one person doing the damage. There are some really crappy divers out there. The circuit in Twin is very popular and sees a lot of traffic. Edd told me that it was beat up when he moved here. He even told me about going in there in backmount and seeing the damage so that tells you how long ago that was.

[BigTex1836]

He even told me about going in there in backmount and seeing the damage so that tells you how long ago that was.

I'd have to see pictures and confirm they were not photoshoped. Not about the damage, I believe that. I don't believe the backmount claim.

[Sludge]

I'd have to see pictures and confirm they were not photoshoped. Not about the damage, I believe that. I don't believe the backmount claim.

Two years ago someone posted pictures of me in sidemount. So anything's possible.

[victorzamora]

I want to make clear that I didn't meant to suggest that all divers should read a blurb on the internet and then go out and "repair" all of the crap they see. I was just wondering what could be organized/requested to get some of the really bad clay damage patched over. If the Twin Cave claw marks have been there since Edd was in backmount, these clearly aren't scars that are going away on their own....and they're not the minor scars only the most avid cave divers would recognize. Anybody down there can see them clearly, and they don't just follow the gold line.

Kelly, you mentioned needing a "demonstration" to show someone how to do it. How much time would it take for you to show me (a diver that cares but isn't artistically gifted) how to mitigate the damage without causing more? What success rate do you think I could possibly have? These last two questions are theoretical.