GrottoCenter is a comunity database for
cavers based on a wiki-like system. Cavers fill the databes for cavers.
Any interesting natural cavity can be added in the database!
How to use GrottoCenter?
Navigation is through an embeded Google-Map.
Cavers are represented by red helmets ,
entries by yellow packs and
grottoes by blue houses .
By clicking on any of those pictograms, an info-window appears showing its
properties (massif, length, depth, etc.).
For the "entries" (yellow packs), the info-window allow you to access to
a detailed sheet containing:
a description of the access to the cave
a cave description
a description of rigging and ropes needs
a reference to any linked web site
some comments (by cavers) with an evaluation of aestetics etc.
Why are you a key in the GrottoCenter's project?
GrottoCenter works with caver's contributions
(so your's), and we count on you to help us complete and rely this database.
You can access to the creation/modification menu with the left-hand panel
after you signed in.
We remind you that you can add any interesting cave to GrottoCenter!
Thanks.
Who are we?
Here is the "GrottoTeam", alphabetically by name:
Nathan Boinet: ergonomics advisor and functional analyst, tester
Thomas Cabothiau: ergonomics advisor and functional advisor
Barbara Guzman: ergonomics advisor and English-Spanish translations
Stéphane Lips: ergonomics advisor and functional advisor, tester
Clément Ronzon: designer, ergonomics and functional analyst, English-French translations
Vincent Routhieau: ergonomics advisor, functional analyst, tester
Norbert Weber : French-German translations.
If you want to make your bit, feel free to contact us!
A big thank to those people and all those who participated
and contributed to the project!
What are the term of use of the data?
GrottoCenter was designed in a spirit
totally apolitical. The site contains elements that constitute a work
protected by international treaties.
By content we mean: entries, cavers and clubs coordiantes
and all information presented in the detailed sheets, including attachments
(topos, photos ...).
If you want to register a "sensitive" cavity there are two options
depending on the degree of protection desired.
The cavity is easily accessible and you just whant to avoid
overcrowding by non-caver people.
In this case, just chosse the option "Registered (sensitive cave and/or
regulated access)." when adding the entry.
In this way the cavity appears only to registered users who are connected.
The cavity is very sensitive (concretions, archeology, paleontology, etc.)
and it is essential to avoid access for non-caver people.
In this case, chosse the option "Registered (sensitive cave and/or
regulated access).", and it is recommended to distort the coordinates of
the cavity within a radius of 1 km around its real place and specify in
the detailed sheet that the cavity is not pointing its exact location and
should not indicate access.
In this way the cavers that wish to visit that cave will necessarily
contact with right peolple/organization concerned by this cavity. This option
is reserved for exceptional cases.
Warning
This site, although it may contain detailed information on caves,
was not designed to facilitate the visit for none caver people.
Dangers are not necessarily reported and information mentioned is
not everytime verified.
Caving is a discipline with many facets: cultural,
science and sports. In the latter capacity, it often requires a physical
commitment. It is also not free of risks, and even major risks.
These risks, if they can not be completely eliminated, are
at least greatly reduced by a practice in the rules, practice
which is fully understood when under a caving club (grotto).
In any case GrottoCenter and its
team can not be held liable for a bad practice of
caving.
The novice who would engage in underground exploration is
urged to contact a caving club. The names and contact information can be
obtained among other to the IUS (International Union of Speleology), to
GrottoCenter or to his national federation.