Exploring Caves
Walking, crawling, climbing, rappelling, diving - people do all these things
when they explore caves. If you think that you want to explore a cave, you should
begin by visiting a cave that is developed with trails and lights. For example,
staff at Mammoth Cave, Carlsbad Caverns, and Wind Cave National Parks and Jewel
Cave National Monument lead tours for visitors. If you
find that you really like it, then find out if anyone you know or if anyone
in your community is a caver, and ask that person to teach you. If you don't
know any cavers, you can find out if there is a caving club, or "grotto,"
in your area by writing to the National Speleological Society (NSS). If you
are invited to attend a grotto meeting and are then asked to go along on a caving
trip, you must always remember the motto of the NSS: "Take only pictures
and leave only footprints" or as some cavers say, "Cave softly."
National Speleological Society (NSS)
2813 Cave Avenue
Huntsville, Alabama 35810-4413
Phone: 205-852-1300
Fax: 334-832-9061
Email: nss@caves.org
Web address: http://www.caves.org
Here are some things to remember if you decide to go caving:
- Never cave alone. Always go with at least two companions, preferably people
who are more experienced cavers than you.
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Always carry at least three sources of light: a helmet-mounted light, flashlight,
and a reserve light.
- Other essential items to remember on your caving trip are: heavy duty clothing,
boots with good soles and ankle support, kneepads, and a helmet. Important
things to include in your caving pack are: a first aid kit, drinking water,
high energy food, tools for repairing lights, and a space blanket for warmth.
Also take an empty pea bottle; and plastic baggies for carrying out your excrement
and trash.
- Always strive to improve your caving skills in a safe environment. Rope
work and climbing techniques should be practiced outside before trying them
in a cave. Beginning cavers should start with caves that have gentle topographies
then work up to caves where more technical skills are required. If exploring
a particular cave exceeds your capabilities, admit it; get the proper training
and additional experience before attempting it. If you want to be a cave diver,
you must first be a trained scuba diver and then get cave-diving instruction.
- Always think safety and conservation. They go hand-in-hand. Cave rescues
create large impacts on cave resources. There is no need to cause unnecessary
damage because of your carelessness.
- Never go caving when you are ill, taking medication, or under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
- Remember to act ethically when caving. Get permission from the cave owner
before entering the cave, including necessary permits from land management
agencies. Leave the cave the way you found it; don't leave anything and don't
take anything (except pictures), so others can enjoy the wonders too.
- Remember that caves have very fragile environments that can be easily damaged.
So have fun, but cave softly!
Links
Caves and Karst Index
Importance
Underground
Threats to Caves and Karst
Exploration
Caves and Karst in National Parks
Challenge Your Understanding
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