Cave Gating

[Shawn]

When I say cave gating, I don't mean putting up a physical gate on a cave.

I mean the act of sharing cave photos but refusing to tell people where the cave is.

Trail gating happens a lot in the hiking community. I'm sure it happens more in the caving community.

What do you all think about cave gating? Agree or disagree?

 

[krJoest]

When I say cave gating, I don't mean putting up a physical gate on a cave.

I mean the act of sharing cave photos but refusing to tell people where the cave is.

Trail gating happens a lot in the hiking community. I'm sure it happens more in the caving community.

What do you all think about cave gating? Agree or disagree?

You're not supposed to publicly post the locations of wild caves. Ive seen a lot of cave locations showing up on Gaia, they're not all accurate.

 

[Shawn]

You're not supposed to publicly post the locations of wild caves. Ive seen a lot of cave locations showing up on Gaia, they're not all accurate.

But is it fair to share pics and media with the intention of not sharing the location?

That's what people would call cave gating.

It's that "I get to visit it, but you don't" persona.

 

[krJoest]

But is it fair to share pics and media with the intention of not sharing the location?

That's what people would call cave gating.

It's that "I get to visit it, but you don't" persona.

I like sharing pictures of wild caves, and I'll usually give people cave locations via private message if they ask for it. They majority of wild caves are on private property, and require land owner relations to access. If someone has established relations to get cave access, telling people the location of the cave could lead to trespassing. If there's trespassing going on at a cave the land owner is going to take away access for everyone, so I can understand wanting to keep locations secret.

 

[Shawn]

I like sharing pictures of wild caves, and I'll usually give people cave locations via private message if they ask for it. They majority of wild caves are on private property, and require land owner relations to access. If someone has established relations to get cave access, telling people the location of the cave could lead to trespassing. If there's trespassing going on at a cave the land owner is going to take away access for everyone, so I can understand wanting to keep locations secret.

I can understand keeping private property caves private for sure.

But I mainly mean public land.

 

[krJoest]

I can understand keeping private property caves private for sure.

But I mainly mean public land.

I think that every state has a Cave Survey program that has all the location information, anyone can join one of these organizations. After a period of time and meeting their requirements they give you access to their cave locations!

 

[Shawn]

I think that every state has a Cave Survey program that has all the location information, anyone can join one of these organizations. After a period of time and meeting their requirements they give you access to their cave locations!

Our area doesn't seem to have them, sadly.

 

[krJoest]

Our area doesn't seem to have them, sadly.

Source: Illinois Speleological Survey https://share.google/l1J6u3bXbzIgKz1Cm

 

[Shawn]

Interesting.

A local caver the other day told me Forest Service is not giving permits out to non-USDA employees who want to help with this.

That's mainly why I said the area doesn't seem to have one. No cooperation.