Spelunking is the word used to describe the exploration and traversing of caves. That basically means people like to go inside dark, wet, creature-infested holes in the ground for personal adventure and a sense of excitement.
Why Would Anyone Want to Go Spelunking?
If you’ve never been inside a cave, it’s normal to wonder why anyone would like to go inside one. They are often full of insects, bats, bat droppings, massive crevices, and lots of water. But caves are also full of beautiful rock formations, incredibly vast rooms, and sometimes even ancient wall paintings.
Caves provide a sense of adventure to people who like to explore where few have gone before. They are so different from what most people are used to seeing every day that they can provide a form of escapism.
But they are not to be entered into unprepared or alone.
How Would Someone Prepare for Spelunking?
First off, if at all possible, you should go spelunking with someone who has been before. This is especially true on your first time out. You should never go alone, because if something were to happen to you inside the cave, your cell phone won’t work. The rock walls of caves block cell phone carrier waves and prevent any outside communication.
You’re going to need some equipment for a proper spelunking excursion. The most important thing to bring is a flashlight, and the second most important thing to bring is extra batteries for the flashlight.
The rest of the equipment you bring will be determined by what kind of cave it is you are entering and how long you plan to stay in the cave. To find out about the cave you’ll be exploring, you can look here and here. If you know the name of the specific cave you’ll be entering, you can usually find photos and details of most caves online.
Caves come in several different kinds in the United States, according to www.adventure-caves-usa.com: mud caves, sea caves, ice caves, lava caves, limestone caves, sinkhole caves, talus caves, and sandstone caves.
Sea caves are very dangerous and typically require lots of planning and equipment to deal with having to travel underwater. Ice caves can also be extremely dangerous, because deep holes can be disguised by layers of thin ice. Naturally, ice caves will require very warm clothing as well as a small ax to deal with icy obstructions. For mud caves you’ll need a good pair of boots and some rope to deal with the slick conditions of the cave.
For all other types of caves, you’ll want to bring basic spelunking supplies that should go with any cave expedition:some food and water, a first aid kit, and some rope. And don’t forget the flashlight and extra batteries. Other supplies that can come in handy include: a knife, a few flares, a map of the area, and a compass.
When you go spelunking, prepare to get dirty and dress appropriately- usually in coveralls or a water resistant coat. Caves can be chilly even during the summer, so it is best to dress warmly.
Is There Anything Else to Know?
There are a few final things to take note of before you go spelunking. Firstly, let someone not in your spelunking party know where you are going.
Secondly, be cautious of wild animals living in caves, especially during the colder months. Bears, foxes, wolves, and raccoons all like to make their homes in caves. The more inaccessible the cave is, the likelier it will be that you’ll only have to deal with bats.
It’s best to go spelunking in the daytime, as bats will all be sleeping and will give you no real trouble. Bats aren’t actually dangerous to people, but they can be annoying when they are awake and flying all about inside a tight space.
Finally, be respectful of the caves you visit. Cave formations take hundreds or thousands of years to form, and any destruction or vandalism to their structure will last for a very long time. Leaving graffiti and trash in caves is very disrespectful to others who will go spelunking there later and to the animals that use it for shelter.
Most importantly, you should travel slowly and carefully through caves. It can be hard to see large crevices, and caves are often wet and slippery. Just take your time and enjoy the sights of these underground wonders.