Preparing To Enter A Cave

Preparing To Enter A Cave
By: Cave Spelunking

Going caving is an exciting adventure. Caving is one of the fastest-growing sports in America today. Exploring caves is a lot of fun, of course, but nobody who has ever done any caving will tell you that it is the safest activity you could engage in. If you want "safe," take up knitting. If you want "adventure," take up caving.

The main objective of all conscientious cavers is "safety first." Yes, we are all eager to get started, but we all know that we need to make preparations BEFORE we enter the cave.

* We form a caving party of at least four members because it isn't safe to go caving alone.

* We tell someone who will remain on the surface what our plans are. We tell them which cave we are going into, and we tell them what time we expect to return.

* We always pack a small first aid kit when we are caving. Stuff happens. We know that we need to be prepared.

* We thoroughly check our equipment before we enter a cave. We check ropes, pulleys, harnesses, and other equipment for undue wear.

* The most experienced caver is always in charge of the party.

* The pace is determined by the slowest caver in the group.

* Each and every member of the caving party carries a minimum of three working light sources.

* Each member of the caving party wears a helmet.

* We always take a good supply of water and high-energy foods.

* We plan frequent rest periods. Caving is exhausting. We don't ever plan to "push the envelope" of endurance.

Going caving is exciting and fun, but the most important thing when starting a caving adventure is to do everything possible to ensure that all members of the caving party get back to the surface safe and sound.

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.

Basic Caving Technique

Basic Caving Technique
By: Cave Spelunking

Spelunking or caving is becoming a more and more popular hobby or pastime. There are probably more beginning cavers than there are beginners in any other hobby or sport today.

Caving is fun, and caving is interesting, but caving can also be dangerous - VERY dangerous. If you are interested in caving, the safest thing that you can do is to learn good basic caving techniques from those who have "been there, done that". And you'll continue "learning" all of your life.

The most important technique of caving is staying safe while caving. Stay with your group. Don't forge on ahead or lag behind. You should never, ever go caving by yourself. It isn't safe, and it's just plain stupid. At the very least, take one buddy with you, and groups of more than two are much more advisable. "Stuff" happens in caves.

Caving is fun, but it is also serious business. A cave is no place to be rambunctious or engage in "horseplay." Injury in a cave can mean that a cave rescue must take place. Cave rescues aren't quick; they take time. For example, an injury that occurs after only 15 minutes of entry into the cave can require as much as eight hours and a hundred people to reach the injured caver.

Dress in warm clothing. Hypothermia is a very real possibility in the 54-degree temperature or a cave, particularly when you are sweaty because of the 95-100% humidity. Eat a snack and drink some water when you stop to rest. Rest stops need to be kept short to avoid chilling. Dressing in layers and avoiding cotton clothing can also help.

Caving instruction is available in every state in the Union. Join a caving club or check the yellow pages for caving instructors in the area where you live.

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave
By: Cave Spelunking

Mammoth Cave is included in the Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky. Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world. Mammoth Cave tours have been conducted for the public since 1816, but Mammoth Cave is a treasure trove of information about prehistoric life on our planet.

Prehistoric people left evidence of their existence in Mammoth Cave over many, many centuries. And scientists are still probing for more answers to their questions about prehistoric life.

According to a somewhat disputed legend, the first European to discover Mammoth Cave was John Houchin, in 1797. It's said that while he was hunting, Houchin chased a wounded bear to the cave's large entrance opening near the Green River.

Evidence of humans having been in Mammoth Cave spans at least 6,000 years, and could be much longer. There have been human early American Indian remains found in the cave. There's also evidence of intentional burial of human remains that date back well before Columbus discovered America.

Interestingly, in 1935 the remains of an American Indian adult male were discovered under a boulder. He was apparently the victim of a mining accident. The boulder had shifted and settled onto his skeleton. The remains of the ancient accident victim were named "Lost John" and exhibited to the public until the 1970s.

The remains of "Lost John" were buried in a secret location in Mammoth Cave for the purpose of preservation. Political sensitivities to the public display of Native American remains probably had more to do with the burial of the remains, however, than did preservation concerns.

Today there are several federal and state laws that protect the ancient artifacts and human remains that are still in Mammoth Cave. Even slightly moving an artifact from the position in which it is found destroys all of its research value, so explorers are training to document, not touch.

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.

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The National Speleological Society

The National Speleological Society
By: Cave Spelunking

The following statement is on the National Speleological Society ( NSS ) website:

"The National Speleological Society believes: that caves have unique scientific, recreational, and scenic values; that these values are endangered by both carelessness and intentional vandalism; that these values, once gone, cannot be recovered; and that the responsibility for protecting caves must be assumed by those who study and enjoy them."

Those of us who are seriously interested in caves and their fragile ecosystems couldn't agree more. Caves are fascinating. Going caving is one of the fastest-growing pastimes in America today. As more and more people go into caves, more and more items are removed from them and left in them. The National Speleological Society motto and the motto of all responsible cavers is:

• Take nothing but pictures.
• Leave nothing but footprints.
• Kill nothing but time.
  

The ecosystems of caves have formed over millions and millions of years. The rock formations are breathtaking. The life in the depths of caves is like nothing that's ever been seen on the surface. Protecting this environment is of the utmost importance.

The National Speleological Society is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1941. It was originally located in Washington, D.C., but the headquarters are now in Huntsville, Alabama.

The National Speleological Society is divided into regions. Within the regional divisions, there are "grottos." Grottos are local-level divisions of the National Speleological Society that are responsible for local-level caving issues and conservation-related business.

The National Speleological Society maintains an excellent website where caving information is available free. Brochures can be ordered, and there is contact information as well.

The National Speleological Society is involved in all levels of caving and membership is open to weekend spelunkers, advanced and professional cavers and speleogists.


Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.

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Modern Caving

Modern Caving
By: Cave Spelunking

People have apparently been fascinated by caves since prehistoric times. In earlier times, caves served as "home sweet home." Sometimes caves provided protection as well as shelter. At any rate, mankind seems to have always been fascinated by caves. Nothing has changed. We're still fascinated, but modern caving is a great deal safer than caving in earlier times.

People cave for many reasons. Some go caving to learn about the caves. We call them "speleologists." They are geologists who specialize in cave geology. Then there are those who explore caves because of their interest in conservation. Most, however, explore caves for the pure pleasure of seeing the wonders of life below the earth's surface.

We no longer have to use torches or candlelight to venture into these underground wonderlands like our ancestors did. Oh, no; we are blessed with modern technology that makes exploring caves so much easier than it's ever been before.

Getting involved in caving today couldn't be easier. The best and easiest way to get involved in caving is through the National Speleological Society ( NSS ). You can find a local chapter and find experienced cavers who will help train you. They'll even help you find the right type of gear that you need to buy and probably keep you from spending more than you really need to spend.

Modern cavers need to abide by the rules:

• Wear protective headgear and footwear and clothing.
• Check to be sure there is no danger of flooding while you plan to be in the cave.
• Never go alone.
• Make sure someone on the surface knows where you are caving and when to expect you back.
• Each person should carry a minimum of three light sources.
• The cave environment is fragile. Water that flows through a cave comes out in streams and rivers, so any pollution will end up in our drinking water.
• Abide by the cavers motto: Take nothing but pictures! Leave nothing but footprints! Kill nothing but time!
  

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.

Spelunking or Caving?

Spelunking or Caving?
By: Cave Spelunking

So, which is it? It "spelunking" or is it "caving," and what's the difference? Clay Perry was a writer of books, novels, and short stories. During the 1940s he wrote about a group in New England that explored and studied caves.

The group called themselves "spelunkers." The term had been used in England for many years, but this was the first use of the word in America. All the way through the 1950s, the term "spelunker" was used to describe all of those who explored caves no matter their level of experience.

Then in the early 1960s a kind of "class" war between cavers of varying abilities changed the term "spelunker" from a general term that described a person who explored a cave to an almost derogatory term that described those who were amateurs. Those who were highly skilled called themselves "cavers." Cavers referred to those who were less skilled as spelunkers.

In 1985 Steve Knutson, who was the editor of "American Caving Accidents," wrote, "Note that I use the term 'spelunker' to denote someone untrained and unknowledgeable in current exploration techniques, and 'caver' for those who are." Well, that certainly cleared that up. Knutson's statement was probably what inspired the popular bumper sticker of the day that read, "Cavers rescue spelunkers."

The term "spelunker" is no longer derogatory. It simply refers to an amateur caver. A spelunker sees caving as a hobby and perhaps a sport, while cavers take the whole situation more seriously and like to "push the envelope," so to speak. They want to discover new caves. They want to get deeper.

Cavers see caving as serious business, while us spelunkers see caving as pure pleasure and enjoy the wonders of the mysterious underground world of caves...

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.