Part 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: Hildreth-Werker, Goodbar, Werker- Trails and Signs 175

Section B-Developing Cave Management Programs

Trail oJlineationand Signage in Caves:Reduce Visitor ImpactVal Hildreth-Werker, James R. Goodbar, and Jim C. Werker

This chapter focuseson establishing andmaintaining trailsand signs inundeveloped cavepassages.

Direct travel to durable surfaces.Mark safe routes through caves.Reduce expa'nsion by marking both sides of trails.Prevent new} inappropriate routes.Minimize compaction of soils that provide habitat for cave life.Preserve cave values by routing visitors a safe distance from sensitiveor fragile resources, cultural materials, speleothems, wildlife, andhabitat.

IManagement objectives frequently focus on preventing harm to cavevalues. Clearly m'arked trails through cave passages help confine humanimpacts to areas that arc already impacted. Strategically placed signsconvey conservation information and encourage low-impact protocol. Thischapter focuses on trails and signs in undeveloped caves.

IITraiis in Undeveloped Caves

Do wild or undevbloped caves really need m'arked trails? Cavers aredefining routes through many wild caves because allowing people towander leads to damage and eventual destruction. Like walking on side-walks, or following paths in the wilderness, cave trails can make travelmore efficient and help protect resources.Population increases in urban areas result in more people looking for

adventure outside of cities-thus, more untutored people are enteringcaves. Increased ~isitation typically leads to increased resource damage.Grottos and caver:cducators simply cannot stay ahead of the growingrecreation demands. To help inform cave visitors and encourage goodcaving ethics, it is

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time to implement more on-site training tools like trailsand educational signage.It seems surprising, but in many undeveloped caves most people will

comply and remain on the trails. When cave visitors understand theimportance of staying on already compacted routes, they tend to act withrespectful stewardship and remain within the trails.First, explore whether the path through a cave needs to be marked. Trail,

designation is not lappropriate for all caves.I

IWhy do we need trails in caves? Trails help reduce cumulative impacts inshow caves and in undeveloped caves. When visitors are confined todefined pathways, features outside the trails arc better preserved. Traildesignation is an excellent tool for managing sensitive cave resources.Show cave routes should provide durable, safe walking surfaces and

definite boundaries for visitors. Trails in wild caves should confine travelimpact and help protect cave values. Designated routes and delineated trailscan improve cave protection and enhance resource management in severalimportant ways. I

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In the past, reflectivepaints, tapes, andadhesive stickerswere applied toplastic spoons,popsicle sticks,rocks, aluminumstrips, plastic stakes,PVC tubes, andother supportdevices.

Figures 1a (left) and1b (closeup, right).Reflectors mounted onPVC rings appear to bedurable in an Idaholava tube cave environ-ment. But in somecave systems, thesematerials will rapidlydegrade and thebyproducts may causeharm to cave-dwellinglife. Unfortunately,intermittent markingsystems also tend toencourage visitors towander ofT-trailbetween the markers.

Cave Conservation and Restoration

Is there an obvious route that most people will follow? Is the pathwayvisible to untrained visitors moving through darkness with only a flashlightor a helmet light?What is the appropriate material for marking trails? Surveyors flagging

tape works very well in some environments, but it is not the right choicefor all caves. In caves that are prone to flooding, flagging tape may beuseless, while rocks may work great along trail edges. Stream passagecaves with few formations and delicate areas may not need marked trails.However, if there is some compelling reason for taped trails in a streampassage, one option might be to remove the flagging during flood seasons.Caves with large chambers have different trail needs than those with

long, tight crawls. Heavily decorated caves may need trails that helpminimize impacts by limiting traffic to a narrow path. Protecting cavepassages that contain cultural or historical materials may make definedpathways necessary.Some cave passages need the extra protection afforded by marked trails,

and some don't. Ask this question-will marked trails help reduce cumula-tive visitor impacts?

Materials for Marking Trails in Undeveloped Caves

What materials work best for marking trails? New answers for traildelineation materials will emerge as better materials become available.Only a few trail-marking materials tit the standards of current best practice.

Cave rocksSurveyors nonbiodegradable flagging tapeHigh visibility nylon or polypropylene cord

In the past, reflective paints, tapes, and adhesive stickers were applied toplastic spoons, popsicle sticks, aluminum strips, plastic stakes, PVC tubes,rocks, and other support devices. Though these markers were innovativefor their time, some have caused impacts that we can avoid in the future.For example, globs of clay holding markers in place have streaked and

discolored flowstone surfaces. Over time, paint may turn into a pile of

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Figu rc 2. Aluminumstrip and red adhesivemarker. Though aninnovative and simpletrail marking device,this marker willdeteriorate rapidly inmany cave enVlTon-ments, leavingaluminum oxide andother contaminants inthe cave system.

Trail flagging takesa bit of skill. Theretends to be more tothe process thanmight be expected.

ITechniques for Marking Trails

in Undeveloped Caves

Part 2-eonseJation, Management, Ethics: Hildreth-Werker, Goodbar, Werker- Trails and Signs

IOakes. Supports made of wood may mold and rot. In manycave environments, aluminum will degrade, leaving aluminumoxide and other contaminants. Most paints, adhesives, and manyplastic products 'deteriorate quickly in cave environments, andthe byproducts are likely to be detrimental to native biota incave systems. (See cbapters on biology, page 33; microbiology,page 61; and materials, page 167.)

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When trails are hot marked through caves, responsible cavers :r:~choose previously impacted, durable surfaces for travel and @

avoid leaving n~w footprints.Traveling on previously compacted routes helps preserve cave sediments,

small Ooor speleothems, spelean habitat, and invertebrate populationsbeyond the pathway. Trail routing and delineation also helps protectoverhead speleothems and wall decorations, cultural and paleontologicalresources, and other cave values.Carefully pla~ routes for travel on durable surfaces. Protect sensitive

resources. Facilitate visitor safety and rest. Allow cavcrs to enjoy, study,and photograph the magnificent features found in caves.With intermitient trail marking techniques such as reflectors, rock cairns,

or short strips of flagging, visitors tend to wander off-trail between themarkers and cause broader impacts.If footprints are visible beyond the designated paths, others will follow

and trails will expand. One of the most significant aspects of evolving caveetiquette is the request that cavers stay on designated trails.In the past, when we found a footstep going into pristine territory, it was

okay to place a foot precisely inside each original imprint, and follow thefootprints to retracc the path. But, as marc people followed, too many fcetmade new, ever~lwidening trails. Today, rather than retrace a step, \ve eraseit and redirect traffic to designated routes. Leaving footprints behind willonly invite others to follow. (See footstep ethic, page 409.)By removing visible traces of human travel outside of trails, the invita-

tion to follow is1removed, and future damage is mitigated. Observe caverpatterns and mark user-friendly pathways that make it safe and logical forcave visitors to stay within the trails. Once established, trail systems mustbe managed-rock borders and taped boundaries require maintenance.

Rocks for Mating Cave TrailsAlthough rock-lined trails may be aesthetically more appealing than trailsmarked with surveyors flagging tape, rocks are not always available. Inmost cases, rod~s should not be imported from outside a cavc.

IBorder both sides of the trail to best protect cave values.Rocks marking trails should be as continuous as the supply of rocks ina given cav~ will allow.Rocks may also be used to define and protect special floor features.Rock cairns may be appropriate for marking travel routes in somecaves. Ho~ever, cairns provide little benefit for protecting a cave from

I.unnecessary Impact,Avoid setting rocks along an edge where they may dislodge and fall onspeleothems or cavers below.Avoid using broken speleothems to line cave trails. Brokenspeleothems should be gathered and stored in a relatively safe location

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Figure 5. Flagging tape is laced between trail-defining rocks to aid visibility and increasevisitor compliance. (Sec page Hof color section.)

Photos@VaIHildrelh-Werker

Cave Conservation and Restoration

in the cave, away from traffic, and near the areawhere they were originally located. Tucking thepieces away in an otT-trail location may helppreserve them for potential repair and mayremove the temptation for visitors to haul themout of the cavc.Rocks sometimes don't command the attentionof visitors. In heavily traveled caves, JoeSpelunker does not always notice the rocksedging trails-it seems that people have to betrained to see the rocks. The simple technique ofweaving a continuous length of surveyors tapeinto a rock border accomplishes two things.First, the flagging demands attention and definesthe rocks as trail delineation. Second, thepractice potentially teaches visitors to beginnoticing other trail borders lined only with rocks.

Flagging Tape to Delineate and CommunicateTrail Ilagging takes a bit of skill. There tends to bemore to the process than expected. It is good todefine and practice techniques before entering thecave and then work in small groups with an experi-enced trail-flagging leader directing the process.Surveyors flagging tape is relatively inexpensive

and readily available through hardware stores, homeimprovement outlets, and outdoor or forestrysuppliers. Flagging tape is efiicient to carry in a cavepack. Eaeh roll of tape typically contains 61 meters(200 feet). Be sure to purchase only nOllbiodegrad-able surveyors Ilagging tape made of polyvinyl,polypropylene, or nylon.Some cavers may profess that flagged trails are

obtrusive, detract from the wilderness experience,and disrupt the aesthetic scene. However, the benefitsof flagging may outweigh these drawbacks. Caveresources outside the delineated pathways are lesslikely to be damaged-thus, overall wildernessquality, aesthetic value, and scientific potential arebetter preserved. (See trail delineation, page 296.)Like lines painted on highways, continuous lines of

neatly positioned flagging on each side of the trailmay free cavers from the constant focus of trying tostay within the designated boundaries. If there are nohighway lines painted on a stretch of road, thendrivers are forced to focus most of their attentiontoward remaining on the road.

Test Flagging Materials and Avoid ProblemsBased on several decades of observation and success-ful use in caves, the nonbiodegradable surveyorsflagging tape is recommended for marking trails.Nylon or polypropylene cord is also successful insome cave environments. This section exploresseveral potential problems that accompany flaggingtape. More scientific research is needed to verify thefuture of trail marking materials for caves.Before deploying thousands of feet of surveyors

Part 2-{:onservation, Management, Ethics: Hildreth-Werker, Goodbar, Werker- Trails and Signs 179

tape, small strips should first be placed in the proposed cave passages andtested for several months. We cannot assume that plastics arc inert to cavebacteria-some types of surface bacteria live on hydrocarbons. Pack rats,other rodents, and some invertebrates may gnaw on any flagging tape andthen distribute it in small bits throughout cave passages.Use nonbiodegradable products to mark trails. Biodegradable flagging

tape should not be used in caves. The products laheled as biodegradablecan be yummy and toxic to cave organisms. (See biodegradable, page 58.)All flagging products will degrade over time, and critters may chew on anyof it, but the nonbiodegradablc tapes typically last longer than the biode-gradable varietic~.Under unusual chemical conditions, the polyvinyl or nylon tapes may

degrade at an inconveniently rapid rale. Or, in some cases, erosive factorsmay deteriorate the tape-for example, flagging tape may be broken to tinybits by the simple force of water droplets repeatedly striking the same spot(which is usually resolved by moving the flagging away from the drip).Ifany of these' problems persist in your caves, you'll obviously have to

avoid flagging tape and come up with plan B. Even with these factors,nonbiodegradable polyvinyl or nylon flagging tape has surprisingly goodlongevity and durability when used for marking trails in many caveenvironments. Continuous lengths of high visibility nylon or polypropylenecord have also ptoved successful for delineating both sidcs of cave trails.

Tips for Flagging Cave TrailsUse continuous strips of surveyors flagging tape to delineate both sidesof pathways, trails, and routes in caves that have appropriate environ-ments and surfaces.

IOnly use Ilonbiodegradble flagging tape made of polyvinyl, polypro-pylene, or nylon. Biodegradable products may be harmful to cave-dwelling biota.

intermittent strips of trail flagging arc not recommended. Cavers tendto inadvertently walk ofl'the trail in search ofthc ncxt piece of trailmarking. Strips of flagging tape drop down holes and get strewn alongcave passages.

An O.5-meter (18-inch) trail width usually allows enough space forefficient travel and for keeping bodies and heavy packs inside the trail.Trails should be wide enough for cavers to negotiate the path safely,but not so wide that two people can walk side by side.

IGive crawls 0.75-1.25 meters (2--4 feet) of trail width depending onhow wide cavers need to spread hands and knees inside the trails toavoid scraping the ceilings.

Anything within the flagged pathway is evcntually discolored,trampled, or flattened. All features inside the trail corridor will bedestroyed. (In sensitive areas, narrow trails may help cavers avoidspeleothem's located on the floor and may encourage slow and deliber-ate movement.)

When a sturdy stalagmite has historically provided an obvious andnecessary handhold, consider including part of it inside the llaggedtrail.

Where there is a choice bct\vecn a high route and a low route, mark thetrail along the low route to help prevent the dislodging of upper soil

Flagging TapeColor SchemesTom Bemis

Various color schemesfor flagging tape areused in the U.S.Specific color/patterncombinations can reduceconfusion by designatingleads, scientific sites, orsignificant features.A system of predeter-mined colors mayindicate specialmineralogical, paleonto-logical, biological, orcultural sites. Specificcolor schemes may alsomark contemporaryhuman-use sites (for firstaid, gear caches, restareas, camps, and so on).Confusion and damagecan occur when flaggingschemes are notcommunicated. Windand Jewel Caves, forexample, use blue/whitestriped flagging todesignate delicate areas,while Lechuguilla Caveuses blue/white stripesto indicate uncheckedleads. Imagine thedamage that might occurif a Lechuguilla Caverwent into Jewel and wasnot informed 01 thedifference. At this point,it is impractical for eithercave to change flaggingschemes in order tostandardize.The two main pur-poses of flagging are toattract attention andconvey information tothe caver. The choice ofcolor is not important aslong as the meaning isclear. Even one singlecolor of flaggingthroughout the cave issufficient, if it is plainlylabeled with a perma-nent marker.

(Continued on next page)

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(Continued)

Lechuguilla CaveAccepted Colors:• Orange-lrail• RedlWhile-sensilive ordelicate area• Blue-survey station• Blue/While-lead. White-note or sign• Yellow/Black-sciencestation• Pink/Black-bones (bat,paleo, or olhers)

Possible AdditionalColors:• YellowlWhite-biohazard (histoplasmo-sis, Rabies, or olhers)• BluelBlack-drinkingwater source. Pink-waste station. Red-eontaminatedwater. OrangelWhite-camp

Figure 6. Flaggingtape looped around arock with a twist orknot secured under-neath makes a tidyIlagging technique.The red/white candy-stripe warns cavers tobeware of delicatefeatures just outsidethe trail.

Cave Conservation and Restoration

and rocks that may impact the area below.

On steep slopes where travel tends to creale erosion, zigzagging thepath into switchbacks helps reduce erosion and sels the stage for safertravel as the trail becomes worn .

On climbs and slopes, the Ilagged trail should be wide enough toaccommodate various climbing styles. Where possible, includeappropriate footholds and handholds within the trail delineation. Thegoal is to keep hands and feet inside the Ilagged routes and stay safe .

Create rest areas along the way for cavers to stretch out (and eat ifpermitted).

Where it is appropriate, designate staging areas for photographers toset up tripods and still remain on the trails. Obtain special permissionand use low-impact techniques if there is specific need to step ofT thetrail. (See photography, page 212.)

When trails cannot be delineated through chimneys, mazes, andclimbs, suspend an occasional strip of flagging tape from the ceiling orwall to make the route easier to follow. Tie flagging at eye level. Whencavers don't have to search around for routes, impact is reduced .

Use a different color surveyors tape (red/white stripe is recommended)to flag ofT sensitive areas. Use flagging to enhance protection andappreciation of delicate or unusual features. It is important to use aflagging color scheme that is communicated to and understood by allwho use the cave, (See Ilagging colors in sidebar, page 179.)

Solid-colored flagging tape should not corne in contact with wetflowstone surfaces because the colors bleed. However, white-backedIlagging does not bleed. For example, red/white candy-striped Ilaggingcan be used if the white side is placed directly on flowstone surfaces.(See Ilowstone restoration, page 40 I.)

Place all flagging tape low, at the trail level and simply tuck, tie, orneatly wrap and secure at frequent intervals along the trail edge.Without tie downs, misplaced footsteps will snag the flagging out ofposition.

Natural protrusions make the least obtrusive flagging tie downs oranchor points. Use subtle wraps around rocks and bedrock features tosecure tape positioning.

Where anchor points are not available, a single wrap and twist aroundan occasional fist-to-football-sized rock secures the tape and preventsthe unsightly appearance of stray and straggling flagging, caught anddragged by inattentive footsteps.

When placing or maintaining flagging tape, make it tidy.Tie small uniform knots.Cut ends short,Don't leave dangles.

Position trail flagging slightly inside the path, not directly on thefragile edges, not on crystals, not on pristine speleothems, and not onunusual features.

IPart 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: Hildreth-Werker, Goodbar, Werker- Trails and Signs 181

Figure 7. Double lengths of continuous flagging help pre-serve cave values beyond the trail boundaries. Withouttrail delineation, this room in Deep Seas Camp ofLcchuguilla Cave ,••..ould likely be trampled tlat.

Figure 8. Double strips of continuous flagging confineimpact to a limited pathway. This trail is flagged widerthan 0.5 meter (18 inches) to accommodate safe traveland handholds along the slope. (Sec page 8 of color section.)

Figure 9. Using natural protrusionsfor tie-downs, double lines of con-tinuous flagging: help protect thelarger flows tone area. (See page 9 ofcolor section.)

Figure 10. Trail flagging along witha laminated sign-DO NOT GOOFF MAINTRAIL. These manage-ment tools inform cavers and en-courage protection of cave passages.

Figure It. On climbs, wider !laggedareas accommodate handholds andvarying climbing styles. (See page 8of color section.)

Figure 12.To reduce further impact, acaver stands in a flagged IX'Singarea fora portrait in Lechuguilla's ChandelierBallroom. (Secpage8 ofcolorsection.)

Figure 13. Hanging tape defines theroute through thisgypsum maze. Inpris-tine passages, cavers are encouraged towear clean gloves and flowstone shoes.(Seepage9 ofeolar section.)

Figure I..t To prevent color-bleeding,carefully place the \vhitc side ofllag-ging tape down against wet flowstonesurfaces. (Seepage9 of colorsection.)

182 Cave Conservation and Restoration

Figure 15. Wider areas are flagged for resting. All gear remains within the trails. (Seepage8 of colorsection.)

Figures 16 lind 17. While cavers work or rest, they remain within the delineated trail and carefully keep all gearwithin the boundaries.

Figure 18. A whisk broom gently combs away f001-steps outside the trail. Leaving olT-trail footsteps en-courages more to follow. (See page 9 of color section.)

Figure 19. A caver replaces blue/white flagging with red!white at the trail level through the Boogins in La Cueva delas Barrancas, New Mexico. (See page 9 of color section.)

Signs are oftenplaced al caveentrances to explainlaws, permit require-ments, safety pre-caulions, behaviorexpectations,species, habitat,cave resourceeducation, andcontact information.

Figure 20. LaminatedsIgns warn cavers-DO NOT GET OFFMAIN TRAIL-thesecond sign tellscavers the area isclosed for scientificstudy.

If small strips of flagging or other materials are used for markingtemporary routes in a cave, remove it on the way out. Never leavepersonal trail markers in a cave. Never leave personal cairns set up in acave.

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Part 2-Conserv~tion, Management, Ethics: Hildreth-Werker, Goodbar, Werker- Trails and Signs 183

ICavers are required to stay within the Hagged boundaries during allroutine travel and resting in the cave. Whether eating, napping, ormoving, everything is expected to stay in the trail-packs, gloves,bodies, and all gear stays inside the nagging. This practice limitsimpact to the already trampled zones within the boundaries defined bythe nagging'tape.

ITrail MaintenanceIn caves where trail definition is appropriate, the flagging, rocks, or othertrail markers must be maintained. The characteristics of the cave environ-ment and the nature of visitation will dictate maintenance schedules forrealigning rock borders, repositioning flagging, restoring sections offlagging, and updating signs.

IWhen flagging becomes brittle, it should be replaced. In some caves,flagging will last up to a decade-in other caves, it should be replacedevery year or two.When stray' footprints are found outside of delineated trails, or whenpaths lead to nowhere-gently erase, comb, or camouflage to restorethe natural appearance of clastic sediments and cave surfaces. Usegentle combing motions with lightweight, nylon brushes or whiskbrooms to avoid stirring up dust and spores while erasing footprints.(Sec compacted soils, microbiology chapter, page 72).Deep footphnts in some types of rock flour or sand can be camou-flaged with natural sediments and soils taken from alongside the trail.Gentle air puffs from a clean turkey basting tool will erase footprints insome powdery substrates.Ifboot sales make unsightly scuff marks on flowstone, erase the marksbefore ne\\~ layers of calcite make them permanent. Ugly scuffs cansometimes be removed with the very soft scrubbing side of a restau-rant-grade ~ponge. (See soft scrubbers, page 406.)Ifmore damage is likely to occur by trying to restore an off-trailfootstep, leave it alone, perhaps place an informative sign, and hopepeople learn that one footstep should not invite.-.more to follow. v"" .••

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ISigns in Undeveloped Caves

ISigns are often placed at cave entrances to explainlaws, pennit requirements, safety precautions, behaviorexpectations, resource education, and contact infonna-tion for cave rr:anagement and for the National Speleo-logical Society. Educational material tends to do moregood than signs emphasizing restrictions (penalties aresometimes included in small print). Permanent signsinstalled inside gates tend to last longer and draw lessvandalism. (See educational signage, page 155.)Signage is made of all sorts of materials, but painted

metal or polyvinyl signs are the most durable for undevel-oped cave entrances. (Stainless steel is a preferred mater-

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Figure 21. A com-puter-generated,laminated sign warnscavers about pristineareas ahead and givesspecific instructionsabout clothing andcavmg gear.

Figure 22. A warningis written with indel-ible ink on flaggingtape stretched acrossthe trail-STOP!BRUSH OFF BODY-HELMET-GEAR-REAR!

Figure 23. Two signsexplain preciseinstructions for thewater siphon tube andspigot that were onceat Deep Secrets inLechuguilla Cave-DO NOT LIFTSIPHON ABOVEFLAGGING TAPE-DO NOT TOUCHNOZZLE. (On multi-day Lechuguillaexpeditions, caversroutinely drink testedcave water fromdesignated sites.)

Cave Conservation and Restoration

Part 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: Hildreth-Werker, Goodbar, Werker- Trails and Signs 185

ial, but is rarelyan Jffordable option for cave entrance signs. See materials,page 167; common 'sense, page 173,)Smalliaminated'paper signs have been used along the trails of many

undeveloped caves. Create simple, easy-ta-read signs with a computer andcompletely seal all four edges with lamination material (heat-press lamina-tion is recommended). As long as there are no gaps or holes in the lamina-tion, these signs survive surprisingly well for up to a decade, depending onthe cave environment. Or. use an indelible Sharpie" to write instructionsand information on flagging tape, Rigid sheets of PVC or Mylar' also workwell for signs and survey station markers, (See survey stations, page 189.)Flagging and signage can significantly reduce impact in a cave. Signs

provide important information for the uninformed and serve as a reminderfor the forgetful or tired caver.

IExamples of Signage

Stay inside flagged trailBrush off helmet and clothes before entering pristine area aheadSurgical gloves onlyBoots otThere-flowstone shoes onlyMove slowly~xtremely fragile speleothems aheadPacks ofT-formations overhead

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Leave nothing butcareful footprints onestablished trails.

IAdditonal ReadingBuecher RH. 1995, Footprints, routes, and trails, In: Rea GT, editor.Proceedings ~flhe 1995 National Cave Management Symposium:Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell, Indiana, October 25-28, 1995.Indianapolis (IN): Indiana Karst Conservancy. p 47-50.

Hildreth-Werker V, Werker lC. 1997. Lechuguilla restoration: Techniqueslearned in the Southwest. NSS News 55(5):107-113,

Hildreth-Werker V, Werker JC, 1999, Restoration, trail designation, andmicrobial preservation in Lechuguilla Cave. In: Stitt RR, editor.Proceedings National Cave Management Symposium 1997: October 7-iO in Bellingham, Washington, and Chillht'ack and Vancouver island,B.C., Canada, National Cave Management Symposium SteeringCommittee, Ii 181-189.

Ven; G. 1997. Speleothems: Preservation, display, and restoration. In:Hill C, Forti P, editors. Cave Minerals of the World, 2nd edition.Hunstville (AL): National Speleological Society. p 301-309,

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ConclusionI

Mark travel routes in wild caves? For some, it's a tough message. But morepeople are caving and many fragile, irreplaceable cave resources are beingdestroyed. To mitigate human impacts in some caves, it may be necessaryto confine travel to designated pathways and keep cavers off the lessimpacted surfaces~In the ideal subterranean world, no trails and no restoration would be

necessary. We would know how to prevent negative impacts. But in ourreal world of cave's and cavers, we must apply practical observation andforesight to avoid further damaging underground resources. Trails throughsome cave passages should be clearly marked to help us leave nothing butcareful footprints on established trails.

IAcknowledgementsThe Editors gratefully acknowledge Tom Bemis, Jason Richards, RansomTurner, and George Veni for contributing materials to the development ofthis chapter.

186 Cave Conservation and Restoration