environmental impact

environmental impacts on the Ellis Basin area will be minimised.

This will be achieved by the following procedures:

Rubbish

• All rubbish separated for recycling and removed from the mountain
• Toileting will be composting systems using natural toilet paper and system set up away from any water sources

Noise

• Helicopters will be used in conjunction with DOC guidelines
• If generators are to be used they will be the silent running types
• We will be based away from places that may interfere with other users

Fires

• Fire bans will be adhered to
• Fires will be kept small and all evidence removed after the expedition

CO2 emissions

• Our CO2 footprint will be looked at before we leave, and we will be looking at ways of reducing it as much as possible
• Emissions will be kept at a minimum by either using solar or wind power and/or by using very efficient generators
• Team will travel together to the south island

Camping

• The above-ground campsite will be in the trees. There will be impacts here, moving of dead matter on ground and tracking. In the past these impacts have been shown to have been short lived. Within a few months after the expedition it will be difficult to see where the campsite was.
• Below ground, all rubbish and waste products removed from the cave
• Tracks will be be marked through delicate areas of the cave, and in new areas tracks may be removed to preserve some of the wilderness values of the cave.