Boy Scout leaders preparing for the coming camping and hiking season should plan to avoid the dangers of Utah's estimated 10,000 abandoned mines, according to Rees Falkner, Utah National Park's Council Scout Executive.
The Council will be distributing a publication entitled "Old Mines Can Be Dangerous" provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior.Exploration of abandoned mines is not an approved activity and will not be sanctioned by the Utah National Parks Council, Falkner said. Spelunking, the exploration of caves, is an approved activity for which tour permits are issued.
Leaders who plan spelunking outings should check with the council's Volunteer Services, which maintains a list of caves considered safe for exploration.