Cave Exploring

People of ancient times resided in caves and also used these underground structures as burial and religious sites. Most of the cave objects and paintings left by these people were protected from harsh climates and scavenging creatures. These were preserved and are now providing us with a glimpse of the past.

Caving isn’t just about exploring caves but it is also about preserving our natural environment. A cave’s ecosystem is delicate and can be easily destroyed. It is therefore important to keep caves the way they are. The cavers’ motto says it all:

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”

One of the 7 principles of “Leave No Trace,” a nationally recognized educational program for responsible outdoor recreation, focuses on proper disposal of wastes. It states that whatever you pack in you also have to pack out.

Don’t leave or bury any trash inside a cave. Take out your trash with you and dispose of it properly. Carefully planning your meals before caving will minimize your trash and excess food scraps.

Place used trash in a plastic bag, take it out of the cave and dispose of it appropriately. Used carbide is toxic and can cause death to some cave dwellers.

Don’t smoke inside a cave. You can unconsciously toss cigarette butts and mess up the place. Smoke from cigarettes can also have a negative impact on the existence of cave creatures.

On your way out of the cave, remove all route markers that your group has placed. Leaving them behind is a form of littering inside a cave and they will cause confusion to other groups of cavers.

Before you enter a cave, pay a visit to the toilet to avoid the need to eliminate human wastes while exploring. In cases of long cave trips, a bottle or any appropriate container can be used for urinating or defecating. Make sure that you carry it out of the cave.

Human wastes are dangerous to the living things inhabiting the cave. They can pollute underground water, attract microscopic organisms that are hazardous to health and cause lingering unpleasant smells.

You can dispose of human excrement once you are outside of the cave. Dig a hole, about half-foot deep, and bury your wastes. Avoid disposing of your excrement near camps, trails or water sources.

When you go exploring a cave, take out nothing but your trash and leave nothing but the natural beauty that enthralled you. Preserve the natural and historical treasures of caves for the appreciation of future generations.

Caving safety rules and guidelines are there for a reason. They are established for cavers to enjoy spelunking repeatedly without injuring themselves or the caves they are exploring.

The need to call for help in cases of accidents has been taken into consideration when the rules of caving safety were formulated. If you follow the rules and guidelines, you can avoid injuries and be rescued in case of an emergency.

Before you go caving, take time to find out what the weather will be. If rain is a possibility, refrain from exploring caves that are inclined to flooding as they can easily flood in a short time.

Make sure you tell someone where you are caving and when you are likely to come back from your trip. This trusted person will call the attention of appropriate agencies if your group fails to return at a predetermined time.

Allow some time in setting up your expected time of return as trips can sometimes take longer than anticipated. If your trip took even much longer than what has been considered as the time to call for help, call the person who’s expecting you as soon as you get out of the cave. Tell him or her not to call the authorities if there’s really no need to worry.

Never ever go exploring caves all by yourself. It is recommended to have at least four persons in a group and at least one must be an experienced caver. All members of the group must remain within hearing distance from one other. In case somebody gets hurt, two members can go out and call for help while the other one stays with the injured member.

A call to 911 can be made at the entrance of the cave using a cellphone. Although there is usually no signal inside a cave, it doesn’t hurt to try calling from inside if immediate help is needed.

Always proceed with caution while moving inside a cave. Don’t make hasty movements, run, jump, or horse around. Stay away from precarious places. Think about what will be your next steps before you execute them.

If your group gets lost inside a cave, you can stay put and wait for the outside person who knows where you are to call for help. If you do decide to keep on moving, make identifying marks by piling rocks that point to the direction your group has taken.

Take the rules by heart and avoid the need to call for help.

You might have packed all the equipments in your backpack. But where is your food?

Before you go to your intended cave, you’ve got to know first the temperature inside and outside the cave. Remember that you may not just stay inside the cave. Your group might spend some hours outside the cave in tents. So it is important to know the temperature of the cave’s vicinity.

It’s because the food you bring will not just for the sake of having to eat. The food you will be eating there will provide you the necessary strength and heat that your body needs. In general, the temperature inside the cave isn’t the same outside, of course (that’s common sense). Moist and cold water are factors to make you wet and shiver a little, a more little, and lot more shivering. This means that hypothermia might take place because of the cave’s cold condition.

Hypothermia is the continuous shivering of the body or garbling of the voice. You might get this because of hours-long rolling or crawling in the cold water. Going back to the topic, the nutrients of the food you eat provide sustainable energy for the body.

So what types of food you may bring?

As mentioned earlier, you will be staying inside and outside the cave. You may never determine when you’ll be staying next outside the cave. When troubles occur, staying outside the cave may take place while waiting for the medical support if in case your first-aid medical kit doesn’t suffice. Heavy meals can be cooked or eaten outside the cave. Remember not to bring easily spoiled foods, whether cooked or uncooked, if your group will stay longer inside the cave. Visit the market for canned goods or dried but energy-giving foods. Preferably those foods that won’t create hassles when you lift your backpacks.

On the other hand, the weight of the food that you bring along with you inside the cave must be considerably light. This way, you reduce the heaviness of your weight and your things especially if you are engaging in a vertical caving. Food supplements in bars and sachets are recommended. There are chocolate bars on the market that give energy to the body. As a rule of thumb, sturdy foods are better. And of course, don’t forget your drinking water. Where else can you find stations of purified drinking water in the middle of a forest?

In most cases, littering inside the cave is prohibited by law. As they say, “Leave nothing but footprints.” So don’t forget to put inside your hip pack a special plastic for caving where you will put your own trash.

Generally, there are no specialized foods for this caving activity. There are recommended foods but they aren’t manufactured for the purpose of cave exploration. Even so, you may ask an experienced caver about the food to bring if you are really meticulous.

Whatever food you bring for cave exploration, keep in mind to buy and bring only energy-rich and energy-giving foods that you need the most for this extraordinary activity coming along your way. There are lots of foods to buy. You just have to ask, find, and buy.

Caving is generally considered as one of the most inexpensive sports in the world. However, it is also classified as one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Dangers are everywhere. Take this as a challenge of your personality and not as a frightening reality.

Meanwhile, whether you are an expert or a beginner in the world of caving, you have to secure yourself with the basic caving equipments. These caving equipments aren’t that difficult to find. You may borrow, rent, or buy your caving equipment. But if cave exploration isn’t included in your long-term plan, borrowing is a good option. You may borrow these equipments to anyone whom you know from a caving club. In most cases, trip leaders have a complete set of these basic caving equipments.

Here is the list of basic caving equipments with their corresponding descriptions:

• Head Protection
Most caves have low ceilings. You never know when a rock is going to fall on your head. Those are the simple reasons why you need head protecting equipment such as a helmet.

While being fascinated by the views inside a cave, you may not be aware that you are running or standing where pointed rocks are above or on the ground. These are common cave exploration happenings. Basically, the helmet you need must have shock absorption. Most helmets for climbing have this. And if you choose to buy your own, it will only cost you $50 to $75.

Your helmet must be durable and its chin strap must be inflexible and easy to release. Your helmet is good if it contains a minimum of three point mountings. These mountings will be used for your light sources.

• Lighting
When it comes to lighting, hands-free lightings are the best choices. Avoid climbing and balancing while holding a flashlight as much as possible. Doing the otherwise is such a dangerous thing. Your choice of lighting may vary according to your personal preference and to the type of cave you will be exploring.

If you are buying a flashlight or a headlamp, choose the one that has white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These have longer life span and often extend their life span than those incandescent bulbs. Plus, you won’t be having burned-out bulb troubles. Also, buy a headlamp with a flexible headband at a minimum cost of less than $25 or more.

Just a reminder, have at least two helmet mounted reserved headlamps. You will have extras if in case the primary headlamp fails. Don’t buy those undependable and short-lived flashlights like those bought on drugstores.

Also, bring some candles and waterproofed match sticks. Cyalume light sticks are good but you won’t know if what you’ve brought is working. Of course, don’t forget your extra batteries. You have to purchase batteries similar to the ones with your primary headlamp.

• Clothing
Your choice of clothing depends on the temperature of your target cave. Ask for recommendations from your trip leader.

It is advisable to have groups within your whole team. It’ll be better if each group has three to four members. This group will generate more body heat than the other groups with more than five members. It is because larger groups tend to move slowly and often take some pauses. Remember, your body will generate more heat when you are in action.

Now you know the materials. So prepare and be on the move!

Going along with your family, friends or even officemates on a vacation is really fantastic! Having time-out of school or the office; it’s time to enjoy your self! But this time make it a little different than your ordinary vacation. How about a cave exploration package for you, for two, or make it for all? So, let the preparation begin as you take your glance on this topic that focuses on cave exploring tour packages for the entire family. Also, provided are the not-so-detailed descriptions of what you can do with these packages.

So let’s see some distant places or neighboring countries that protect wonderful caves. These caves are so wonderful and fascinating in their own rights. Thus, they serve as one of their country’s hotspots. Now, have you ever been to other country’s caves? Whatever answer you have, there’s certainly a reason or reasons why to go to another country. A complete tour package at an affordable price is available from any organization that offers cave tour packages. You may visit companies and ask for what they can offer and decide if what they have matches your preference and budget.

India is one of the many countries that protects the beauty and innocence of many caves. Its caves in Ajanta and Ellora are open and welcome for you to visit their extraordinary views. There are cave tour packages wherein these two caves of India are the caves to visit. There are also online tour reservations from the Internet. The days and nights that you will spend on and in these caves depends on your selection of packages. Some organizations offer an eight (8) nights – seven (7) days cave tour package. There’s a lot of cave tour packages offered by many companies. So it seems impossible not to find the cave tour package you want in terms of transportation, hotel, meals, and the price of course.

The price of a cave tour package is based on the following but not limited to:

• The hotel where you will stay for a number of nights and days

• The meals that will be provided

• The transportation

• The equipments that you will be using if provided

• Other things that are related to your cave exploration

In general, the distance of your target cave greatly affects the cost of the cave tour package. Finding a cave outside your country is just another thing to consider if you have the money. You may also experience the same challenge and excitement if you will choose local caves in your country. In this way, you will experience cave exploration and at the same time reduce the cost that you might have been spending if you took the cave tour package going outside your country.

That means you don’t have to go to distant countries for the sake of caving. Even in Alabama you may experience vertical caving. There are many caves in the country of USA. Consult any cave explorer you know to which cave is better to visit. It might be just a few kilometers away from your street.

Caving is a dangerous but challenging sport. As you enter a cave, you are then entering the world of physically and mentally fit individuals who are eager to try what they call “personal discovery”. This discovery may be undesirable for those who aren’t prepared, incapacitated, or wounded. You should understand that even though there is ready medical support, it will still take hours to move the casualty to the surface. Attending to the needs of your wounded friend is just the start of your difficult personal discovery.

Training is one way to lessen and to be prepared on the risks that you may encounter. You’ll get the most out of your caving through ample training to and knowledge of cave exploration. Mind you that you can never eliminate risks. What you can do is to attend cave exploration training.

The following are the pieces of information that you will know if you attend cave exploration training:

• Have a group composing of a minimum of four members. You may conduct self-rescue operations properly if you are four or more in the group.

• You should have at least one member holding a first-aid certification. However, all cavers must know first-aid medical procedures.

• Prior to the start of caving, you should be aware of the calling procedures in case an accident happens.

• Find out the potential risks inside and outside your target cave.

• Seek the assistance of any speleologist to give you information on your target cave.

• Determine the equipments that you should bring. Find out also if you need to bring special equipments.

• Check the physical, mental, and emotional capabilities of your team before going into the cave.

• Have an assigned secondary leader or leaders in case you have to split the group.

• Establish reasons or scenarios that may call for group splitting.

• Talk with the group about the potential factors that may cause the group to abandon the trip. Weather condition is one of those factors.

• Inform your team about the particular stages of your trip when to back-out or when to continue the trip.

• Form your calling procedures for underground communications.

• Set a specific time for the completion of your trip as well as for rescue operation. Also, provide factors for delays.

• Provide a detailed description of your trip to any authority assigned to the vicinity of the cave.

Aside from what are mentioned above, your personal equipments and first-aid kits must never be forgotten when moving underground. Aside from equipment, the type of food that you should be bringing must give you extra strength and power. Remember that you can only bring a few things. So don’t overestimate your capability to bring what you can’t especially if you will do vertical caving.

As a rule of thumb, be responsible for your own safety. If you are to face a danger, or currently in danger, recall those calling procedures that you’ve learned in your training. They’re a big help in time like this.

Apart from preparing your underground equipments, you should also consider your equipments to be used outside the cave. It doesn’t mean upon your arrival on the region you’ll immediately enter the cave. Excitement is natural. But don’t exaggerate it.

Cave exploration is such an exciting and challenging quest for personal discovery. As you go along this quest, you will surely need cave exploring tracking devices or pieces of equipment with you. Below is the checklist of the instruments or devices that you must bring and that you may use when the need arises. So, pick them all now for each one has its own purpose. Check them out.

• Compass
While you are inside the cave and you are well-lighted, you are able to move to every corner of the cave if you bring a handheld compass. You won’t know your direction unless you have a compass or a map. We will be having a separate discussion for a map.

Most cave trackers in the US prefer the Suunto compass. The Suunto KB14 may be packed with rubber covers. These rubber covers are only optional. You may just borrow a compass to your colleagues who also go caving occasionally. If you could see yourself frequently doing cave tracking, buying a good one is practical. Suunto’s compass may range around $200 and up. Other brands of compasses can be found along stores that have specializations in forestry. Speleo vendors may also provide you one that doesn’t hurt your pocketbook. However, in most cases, the higher the cost, the longer is its life span. So whatever you choose, it all depends on your preference and on your budget.

• Map
Even an expert cave tracker surely needs a map, much more so if you are a first-timer in this field. Maps are generally written on a wide sheet of paper. But special cases like tracking a cave, special papers are being used in plotting the points of direction on to the map. Usually, your map is waterproofed so you can pull it out anywhere inside the cave.

A cave has several openings that lead you in different directions. You never know if you are only going around the same place or you are lost. This won’t happen if you have a map. But an understanding on how to read a map is a requirement. There are set procedures on how to read a map. That is what you should have learned during your cave exploration training.

Simply put, by following the directions and by signing what you have already passed, you’re surely on the right track!

• Special Robots
Going technical, there are available but expensive hopping microbots on the market that will support you in your tracking. Because of the modern technology and the power of microchips, the possibility of having a robot companion while you track a cave became a reality. Allegedly, NASA is also using specialized robots like this in their experiments. Anyway, it should be natural for them to use such and that’s extremely unquestionable and must be automatic.

In this connection, these hopping microbots are tested to conduct special functions. These functions can be recording what’s inside the cave through video or can be calculating the changes in temperature. Whatever functions these hopping microbots have, they are absolutely of great help for you. Your next cave tracking activity won’t be the same if you secure just one of these hopping microbots.

There might be other devices that will help you as you track your chosen cave. The checklist above only presents the most basic, yet the most important devices that you shouldn’t forget when you go cave tracking.

Caves are attractive environments showcasing ancient deposits underground. Numerous caves abound the world, there is Torca Del Cerro in Spain, Orgnac Cave in France, Aurora Cave in New Zealand, etc.

While some caves are wild, there are those accessible and easily explored. Cave exploring groups such as Cody Cave explorers based in British Columbia are offering some tours which can be taken advantage of when into this adventure.

1. School Tours. School tours are being offered in June and September every year. School tours in some caves are being offered as part of the curriculum for team building, ecology, environmental conservation, earth science and the like.

2. Group Tours. One hour tours are given by cave exploring teams for groups of ten or more. There are two guides who usually accompany the explorers. A minimum of twenty visitors at a time are accommodated inside the cave. The group tour package is available during summer months.

3. Specialty Tours. Different people have different accompanying reasons in exploring caves. Some are just curious of how caves look like; others are just practicing their photographic techniques. Other people go into cave explorations to explore the mythical, symbolic, or spiritual dimensions of the caves. Whatever interest one may hold, certain groups of cave explorers can offer cave tours for different group.

Tours and Prices

Usually, two cave guides give one hour tour for teachers, students, parents, etc in about 200-300 meters of the cave. These guides also present related information about the cave, like caving ethics, history, or tips in cave exploration. For ages 13 and over, a $13.50 fee is paid and for those ages 12 and younger, there is a $9.00 charge as a regular admission fee. The first guide is paid $120 and if required, $95 is given for the second guide. 10% discount is given for groups in the regular admission. A $10.00/ person fee applies for larger groups.

A three hour tour is also available for groups with ages of 14 and above. A minimum of six members per group is assigned for each guide. This kind of tour is more challenging and is beneficial for those classes involved in team-building training. Certain cave exploring equipments are required such as cave boots. The group must be prepared for any challenges inside the cave. A waiver is signed by all participants as part of the insurance policies. The fee is $40.00/person.

Every cave tours have different themes; what is important is for the group to know that whatever reason they have in entering a cave, each tour must be under the principle of education, safety and entertainment.

Getting into cave exploration? Cave exploration can be dangerous but there are people who seek the thrills and shrill of new adventures. There are some useful tips to know when cave exploring.

Before entering a cave

1. You should learn the basic steps in cave exploring. Read at least one good book about different kinds of caves, cave formations, do’s and don’ts, gears to be used, etc. It would be best to have a proper training on safe caving.

2. If you have plans of entering a cave, make sure not to go alone, bring 3 cavers as a minimum.

3. Never attempt to caves beyond your capability. When you have options, choose the safer alternative.

4. Make sure you pack all the things you need in cave exploring. Wetsuits, helmets, ropes, flashlights and batteries, are some of the more important things to bring. Helmets and clothes should be properly fitted.

5. Let your family or friends know about your plan; inform them of the cave location and your expected time of return.

6. Eat properly before going into cave exploration. The wetter and colder a cave, the more energy is required.

Inside the cave

1. To avoid the danger of being lost, it is essential to memorize the appearance of every route.

2. Place a mark on the cave floor which will indicate the directions you took.

If lost inside the cave

1. If you realize that you are lost inside the cave, maintain your composure. Have the members of your team hold hands
or embrace each other. This will make sure that no member will be lost.

2. If you have a cellphone, try if you can contact the outside world; otherwise turn it off and all sources of lights.
Preserve the batteries so that it can be used for longer intervals.

3. Decide if you will stay and just wait for help. If you decide to move about, scratch your names, initials, direction and time to cave surface. If it isn’t possible to scratch the wall, use available materials to create letters or piles.

4. If you get stuck in uneven surfaces of the cave, try to crawl, pad your feet and hands with cloth so they won’t get hurt.

5. If all else fails. Just stay in the dark and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Use your flashlights, cellphones or other light sources as aid in the darkness.

Some people discover the excitement they want in cave exploration. However, be very careful in entering caves that are new to you. In general, you shouldn’t go into cave exploration without a professional guide. Know your imitations and don’t test your capabilities. Being careful is always the best way out!

Many cavers who are experienced in cave exploring get bored and give in to new and stiffer challenges. The next step is to learn new strategies and to adapt new skills to caving. Some of these tactics can include:

Cave Surveying and Mapping – Surveying is assessing a cave, its areas and measurements to be able to make an accurate map of the cave. The purpose is to provide future explorers better knowledge and directions of the cave. This can also be a basis for researchers and scientists.

Finding New Caves – While other cave explorers are satisfied to discover popular caves; there are those who look for new caves to survey and map. “Virgin” cave passages are also revealed for old caves that have been discovered before. Other caves with tight passages are being pushed through digging thus resulting to discoveries of new caves.

Speleonics – Speleonics is another way of applying interests and life experiences to a caving hobby. It is a process of applying electronics and communications to caves and cave exploring.

Cave Rescue – Cave rescuing is one of the more useful techniques to learn. There are many cavers who take part in the trainings for cave rescues. These trainings are given by rescue organizations or fire departments in different communities.

Cave Photography – Strategies in photography can be exercised inside the caves. It is very challenging to have good angles of rocks and other deposits and have a photograph or videos of them in the dark.

Vertical Caving – Vertical Caving requires technical rope work. This kind of technique is needed when entering a cave with vertical openings. The caves can be hundreds of feet deep and thus the way to enter then is through vertical drops. Vertical caving has safety records but practice, training and proper equipment is also essential.

Cave Diving – Cave diving is a very exceptional area of caving, nevertheless it is very dangerous. An experience in water diving doesn’t qualify anyone for cave diving. Certifications from special trainings are required, along with specialized equipments and gears. This is due to a high percentage of fatalities among inexperienced cavers.

Cave Conservation – There are certain laws about cave protection. Alabama Cave Protection is an example of the law which protects caves. Examples of underlying rules are not to discard litter inside the cave and kill any plant or animal life found inside the cave.

This list just touches other techniques that can be mastered along with other tactics in cave exploration. To search for other cave hobbies which might interest you, attend seminars or trainings, spend time with other cavers at club meetings or search for information via internet.