Deterioracja ścian drogi wspinaczkowej na Niżnie Jasiowe Turnie (Tatry Zachodnie) spowodowana procesami naturalnymi oraz działalnością taternicką

Abstract

Indications of deterioration of the walls of the climbing route on the Niżnie Jasiowe Turnie Peak (Western Tatra Mts.) caused by natural weathering processes and mountaineering activities.A b s t r a c t. In the Tatra National Park, mountaineering is allowed exclusively in designated areas. Despite the prohibition of climbing due to the legal regulations, there are other climbing routes in the Western Tatras, including those marked out on the Niżnie Jasiowe Turnie Peak. Observations made in the course of the present work prove that this route is in constant use by mountaineers. The Polish Mountaineering Association, carrying out actions to make new areas available for climbing and caving activities, is involved in performing environmental impact assessments of such projects. The trend of such measures includes the present work, which focuses on climbing route No. 15 “Muskatówka” on the Niżnie Jasiowe Turnie Peak. The purpose of the study was to show the indications of deterioration of the rock wall caused by mountaineering activities and natural weathering processes, and to assess the resistance of the rock bed to such destructive factors. The lithological variability of the rocks was characterized, their physical properties were studied, and their frost resistance, microhardness and abrasiveness were determined. The results of Cerchar’s abrasiveness were used to assess the susceptibility of the rock to scratching by metal elements of climbing equipment. The study showed that the impact of mountaineering activities on the deterioration of the wall of the climbing route on the Niżnie Jasiowe Turnie Peak is insignificant. Simultaneously, it was observed that the destruction of analysed rocks is caused to a much greater extent by natural weathering processes. In addition, the favourable physical-mechanical properties of the rocks outcropping in the climbing wall create the possibility of using the so-called “own belay” during climbing, instead of fixed belay points. In a protected area such as the Tatra National Park, it is increasingly necessary to take into account its many functions and meet the expectations of the various users of this “common good”. It is therefore indispensable to discuss the possibility of making new areas available for climbing activities.