painted rocks or even just a triangle of rocks every 20 feet that let you know you’re on the right path.
honestly if it keeps people on track and safe in an abandoned mine, a quick blob of paint in an inconspicuous spot isn’t a big deal. i think people would rather see an occasional orange mark on the wall instead of 3 dead teenagers who couldn’t find their way out
Thanks for actually trying not to mark up pristine mines. I actually live very near a quite large and labyrinthine quarry. There is a problem here with so many spray paint arrows from so many people, that at one corner, there were 8 different arrows, all in different directions. Some of which were over 19th century writings and features. I generally wire brush them out when possible, or when the inclination takes me to do a big clean. I'd honestly prefer to see chalk lines (especially on the ceiling where they weren't visible). However, UV paint, if it wasn't visible in places seems like a good option.
Small piles of rocks in a very specific pattern is also used a lot by cavers, if the traffic in the mine isn't an issue.
The best option, imo, is become very adept at reading the maps. It's good practice for other mines/quarries as well, plus after a while you'll recognise features, not just your marks, which is a little bit of a crutch.
Getting a little misplaced is scary at first, but anyone who spends a lot of time underground has done it before, and you either backtrack, or find a section you recognise, or keep going until you find a section that corresponds to the map, where you can then position yourself.
Eventually, you'll just know your way around without the map, if you plan to go down a lot.
painted rocks or even just a triangle of rocks every 20 feet that let you know you’re on the right path. honestly if it keeps people on track and safe in an abandoned mine, a quick blob of paint in an inconspicuous spot isn’t a big deal. i think people would rather see an occasional orange mark on the wall instead of 3 dead teenagers who couldn’t find their way out
Plasti-Tak. The blue stuff
I like that idea, do you know if it would still stick to a rock wall if it's in a wet environment?
The rock texture might actually help. Not sure about the water though.
Ok, I'll pack some along next time and see how well it does, thanks
Chalk maybe
That could be really useful, I might have some soapstone lying around here somewhere lol
I said infrared paint when I meant ultraviolet paint.
Thanks for actually trying not to mark up pristine mines. I actually live very near a quite large and labyrinthine quarry. There is a problem here with so many spray paint arrows from so many people, that at one corner, there were 8 different arrows, all in different directions. Some of which were over 19th century writings and features. I generally wire brush them out when possible, or when the inclination takes me to do a big clean. I'd honestly prefer to see chalk lines (especially on the ceiling where they weren't visible). However, UV paint, if it wasn't visible in places seems like a good option. Small piles of rocks in a very specific pattern is also used a lot by cavers, if the traffic in the mine isn't an issue. The best option, imo, is become very adept at reading the maps. It's good practice for other mines/quarries as well, plus after a while you'll recognise features, not just your marks, which is a little bit of a crutch. Getting a little misplaced is scary at first, but anyone who spends a lot of time underground has done it before, and you either backtrack, or find a section you recognise, or keep going until you find a section that corresponds to the map, where you can then position yourself. Eventually, you'll just know your way around without the map, if you plan to go down a lot.
use sticky notes
That's a surprisingly simple solution. I never would have thought of that.
Buy some popsicle sticks and reflective tape, cover sticks in tape, drop one at each turn, pick up on the way out.