There are many turns of phrase I could use, like cutting off ones nose to spite ones face, which aptly describes the current access situation at Dali’s Hole. On the surface of it and inpartiular based on UKC reporting, it is a great piece of local action to help the access situation in the quarries. The fact still remains that First Hydro still won’t allow access and unless the law changes with regards to the Mines and Quarries, and probably never will.
What actually seems to have happen is that one self appointed guardian of the quarries has come along and stripped out all the bolts in Dali’s Hole to protect us from ourselves. No discussion other than that on UKC, no coming along to the next BMC meeting, just an action that seems to have been taken without thinking a situation through.
Whilst the culprit might well be on first name terms with Tony Thomas the first hydro’s security boss, and have relatives that dug the quarries. Unfortunately the rest of us aren’t. In fact despite giving assurances that the security would only patrol Dali’s Hole, Slate climbing legend John Redhead was accosted by First Hydro Personnel in Australia and asked to leave. From what I was told he didn’t leave quietly.
So whilst removing bolts might well be a ‘Short-term’ solution it certainly isn’t one that I see as doing us any favour’s. Ian has basically achieved what First Hydro would like without actually having to do it themselves. Personally I would like to see the bolts go back, and a little community action to prevail. Maybe a mass trepass with some media coverage to highlight the issues on both sides, and the way that First Hydro are tied to the law, yet it comes into conflict with open access and recreation for so many local people and visitors alike.
Removing the bolts is exactly what First Hydro want, and it hasn’t changed a thing, just given the sercurity guard more time to patrol other areas, like Australia.
Incidentally, there were still a family climbing there when I past the other day, although instead of nice solid bolts they were belayed to a single rotten telegraph pole.