Spelunking for the Adventurous!

Greetings, young explorers and lovers of hidden wonders! Are you ready to embark on a thrilling expedition into the mysterious world beneath our feet? Today, we’ll gear up with helmets and headlamps as we dive deep into the exhilarating realm of spelunking, also known as cave exploration. Spelunking is not just about descending into the darkness; it’s a chance to uncover the secrets of ancient formations, witness unique ecosystems, and marvel at the awe-inspiring beauty that lies hidden beneath the Earth’s surface. So, grab your sense of adventure, strap on your backpacks, and join us as we venture into the captivating underground world of spelunking, where every step reveals a new wonder waiting to be discovered!

First, what in the world is spelunking?

Short and sweet, it is the exploration of cave systems, especially as a hobby. (Just so you know, a cave system is a series of caves connected by passageways.)

The first thing you need to know about spelunking and caving is to never, ever, ever enter a cave alone. (Just so you know, caving is the exploration of the caves themselves.)

There is something about caves and cave systems that is mysterious and fascinating. Cave systems are an unexplored universe of mysterious tunnels, chambers, waterfalls, tight spots, and creatures.

Spelunking is more than just a walkthrough in a beautiful cave; it requires hiking, climbing, crawling, swimming, rappelling, and wriggling through tight spots, among others. With the chance of doing some, if not all, of the previously mentioned activities, we can say that spelunking comes with some degree of danger. But, with proper attention to safety, this extreme sport can be as safe as a regular walkthrough.

Here are some tips that will keep your spelunking experience as safe and thrilling as possible.

Educate yourself about spelunking. Spelunking, also known as caving, can vary from a light exercise walk and climb to an extreme and physically demanding rappel. Know how challenging the cave might be and if you are physically capable of doing it.

ALWAYS have a companion when spelunking – Never go caving alone. A small group of 4 to 6 people is preferable. If you’re not hiring a guide, make sure that at least two of your companions are experienced cavers and know the cave well.

Have the proper caving gear – Always carry a hard hat, a headlight, and proper shoes. Your light is the most important piece of equipment, so have three and keep extra batteries handy. Sometimes wearing gloves and kneepads–also known as a spelunker’s best friends–will save you from a lot of pain. You might also want to carry a facemask; some caves have a strong guano smell.

Wear proper clothes – Please… don’t wear your Sunday best. An old pair of jeans and a t-shirt will suffice. Your clothes will get wet and dirty; and, in most cases, don’t expect to get them clean. Your clothes should have a good fit on you and shouldn’t limit your movements’ flexibility.

Most caves have comfortable warm weather, but some chambers can go down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), so you might want to dress in layers with synthetic fabrics, like nylon and polyester. These fabrics dry faster–reducing the chance of hypothermia–and they are more resistant to scrapes and snags common to spelunking.

Test your ropes – Ropes are one of the most important pieces of equipment when you do an extreme spelunking with rappelling. Test your lifeline before caving; it must support you and your gear in a lingering hang. Use a safety line as a backup in case of a fall.

Carry a First Aid Kit – Cuts and scratches do occur often. Clean and medicate them immediately to prevent infections.

Check your breathing – Deep caves can have a reduced amount of oxygen. Check for oxygen using a match, lighter, or candle. If you start feeling dizzy, out of breath, or have a burning sensation in your throat, stop and exit the cave at a steady pace.

Keep your energy – Always carry energy bars and water to replenish your energy. Take breaks when necessary.

Never go caving when it’s raining – Caves can flood extremely fast and more often than not, it is unannounced. Don’t take that risk.

Leave Markers – As you go further in, leave markers to show your way out. On your return, pick up your markers. Don’t leave them in the cave as waste.

Don’t take unnecessary risks – Always look for the easiest way to navigate the cave. When you have the choice of jumping over a crevice or taking 5 minutes to go around it, choose to go around it. Injuries, even the smallest ones, are magnified by the difficulty of evacuating an injured person out of the cave.

Be patient and don’t force things – Go slow and take your time while crossing or crawling through tight spaces; a bad position can injure or cramp your muscles. If you don’t fit, don’t force it. Don’t run the chance of getting stuck.

Know what to do in case someone gets injured – If someone gets injured and can’t make it out of the cave on their own, stop there and send two or more people for help–police or paramedics. Make sure they know the exact location where the injured person is and the extent of the injuries. Never leave the injured alone.

Inform others about your caving plans – Sometimes you can get lost in a cave. In such cases, don’t panic and stay put. Always let people know about your spelunking plans. Inform more than one person with details, like when you are going, which cave, with whom, and when you plan to return.

If you are adventurous and haven’t tried spelunking, give it a try. Who knows…you might even get hooked on this thrilling and exploratory sport.

AIME