expo/expoweb
1
0
Fork 0
mirror of https://expo.survex.com/repositories/expoweb/.git/ synced 2026-02-13 10:06:22 +00:00
Code Issues Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

updated and moved some intro files

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
Philip Sargent
2023-01-07 21:57:23 +00:00
parent bbefbd0500
commit fbb5da96b9
7 changed files with 50 additions and 1812 deletions
Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

90
handbook/dclaim.htm Normal file
View File

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
<!DOCTYPE>
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf8" />
<title>CUCC's Austria expeditions: disclaimer</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/main2.css" />
</head>
<body>
<h1>Warning and disclaimer</h1>
<p>Many of the caves described in these pages are in a Nature Reserve
(Naturschutzgebiet), in which permission is legally required (and most often
denied) for both caving and camping. Austria has a very strict cave
conservation ethic - permission to cave is unlikely to be granted without the
support of the local caving organisation, who are currently discouraging new
exploration by any groups who have not previously worked in the area.</p>
<p>Care should be taken where possible to stick to existing paths. Be aware
that knowing the coordinates of a cave, and/or bearings to prominent landmarks,
is no guarantee of being able to find it in the intricate and confusing
limestone karren fields. Marking of caves or routes by paint is now strongly
discouraged, more discreet metal tags being used instead. This makes caves even
harder to spot from any distance away.</p>
<p>Many of the caves were explored up to almost forty years ago, using 8mm
self-drilling anchors - the hangers were removed. Not all of these were
well-placed, and some were placed for ladders, not SRT. All will have
deteriorated, even though, in most cases, they were greased during derigging.
Some of them are very hard to find (even with a detailed rigging guide) and
omission of a critical rebelay or deviation can render a pitch much more
dangerous either through abrasion or through greater exposure to floodwater.
Many of the caves contain loose rock; many are subject to rapid flooding with
very cold runoff water. Rocks can move, ice formations can form in different
places each year and may be in a greater or lesser state of decomposition
during the summer. What may have been safe rigging during the original
exploration may not be safe today. Snow plugs on entrance pitches may collapse
without warning. Other hazards may exist of which the original explorers were
unaware.</p>
<p>Please take these caves as you find them and treat their descent as if it
was original exploration. It is up to the individual to satisfy his or herself
that the descent is safe, that any belays used or reused are sound. CUCC does
not maintain any of the anchors or fixed ropes in the caves except during their
own continuing explorations and even then cannot guarantee their safety.
Neither CUCC nor any member or guest of a CUCC expedition can be held
responsible for any accident occurring to third parties descending any of the
caves described here, even if using equipment placed by such persons. If you
are not prepared to assume responsibility for your own safety, please stay out
of these caves or take suitable training to ensure that you can assess and deal
with the risks.</p>
<p>Be aware that it can take considerable time for any rescue effort to be
organised in this location, so visitors should aim to be self-reliant.
Although the Austrian rescue organisation may be able to call upon the services
of a helicopter, these cannot fly at night, and military operations will take
priority over civilian rescue. You'll need a fluent German speaker (ie. able to
converse accurately over the phone) to be able to make contact with the rescue
service at all. It is in your interest to make contact with any other cavers or
expeditions in the area, as well as the local caving groups, <b>before</b> any
rescue effort is required. It is also your moral responsibility to offer
assistance in the event that another group is involved in a rescue situation.
Unlike rescues in the UK, which tend to use huge numbers of haulers, very few
Austrian cavers are available for any given rescue. It may be helpful to read
the <a href="rescue.htm">Rescue Guide</a> which CUCC uses on its
expeditions.</p>
<p>Finally, information presented here is gathered together from a wide variety
of sources, from detailed reports written at the time of exploration to
word-of-mouth from memory many years later. Although every care has been taken
to ensure that it is correct (for our own use if nothing else :-), <b>neither
CUCC nor the editors of this archive make any warranty as to the accuracy or
currency of anything presented here</b>. In <b>ALL</b> cases, any opinions
expressed are those of the contributing author, and do not necessarily reflect
an official position of Cambridge University Caving Club or of any other body
which they may appear to represent. Any representation of a legal or 'official'
position reflects our best efforts at understanding, but should not be taken as
an authoritative source. Errors, omissions and misunderstandings are
inevitable, especially when there are language barriers and only one visit to
the area each year. Legal positions, regulations, policies and responsible
bodies all change, and the latest situation may not yet have come to our
attention. In no case can CUCC or the authors of information presented here be
held responsible for any conflict, loss or consequential damage arising from
the use of or inability to use the information. We would appreciate being
informed of any errors, omissions or misunderstandings of which you become
aware.</p>
<p>Please also read our <a href="../copyit.htm">copyright notice</a>.</p>
<hr />
</body> </html>