By Theresa A. Ludwick Claustrophobics Need Not Apply Do you like getting dirty? How about squeezing through confined spaces and doing your best impression of an earthworm? Do you enjoy trekking through dark, silent chambers that have the quality and ambiance of an oversized womb? If you’re still reading, and the answers to the above questions are an unqualified “Yes,” (or at least a reflective “Maybe,”) you have the potential of becoming a caver.

Caving is definitely not a sport for those prone to claustrophobia. It is, on the other hand, a fantastic sport for the adventurous explorer. Though caves have long been utilized for various functions such as storage or scientific study speleology, as a recreational pursuit, caving is relatively new. This newness lends itself to an excitement among skilled cavers, some of whom may be the discoverers of previously unexplored underground systems. Because of the unique risks of caving, among them flooding, hypothermia, and getting lost, caving is an inherently dangerous activity that some might consider an extreme sport. Certainly, it is a physically and mentally demanding pursuit that should not be entered lightly. With brains and caution, though, caving can be a really exciting pastime. Starting Your Descent The beginning caver will benefit from a thorough familiarization with safety precautions as well as skill requirements of caving. Membership in a caving organization or group is a great place to meet others of like mind, as well as to ask questions. This can help you evaluate your interest and give you built-in camaraderie with other caving enthusiasts. The serious beginning caver should invest in basic caving gear. For obvious reasons – low ceilings, outcroppings, falling rocks – a helmet is one of the bare necessities. A headlamp for hands-free lighting is usually attached to the helmet, and one or two additional sources of light (as well as batteries) should be carried, in case of outage of your primary light source. LED lighting has become a favorite among cavers for its clean light and long battery life. Clothing depends on the cave temperature, moisture probability, and length of stay. Generally, full-body coverage is advised, though the fabric should be a lightweight polypropylene or similar material that both absorbs moisture and wicks moisture from your body, as hypothermia is a leading cause of danger to the caver. Needless to say, water-repellent boots with good traction are very important. Safety in Numbers As with many such sports (and more so with caving), you should not go on your adventure alone. A group of three or more, with an experienced leader, will increase the likelihood of safety among all. As well, taking care to notify a trusted friend of your expected return is important. The motto of "safety in numbers" applies very well here as more participants lessens the very real potential danger of becoming lost. Be sure to obtain permission before entering a cave on private land and check all your equipment to ensure functionality. Don’t forget to pack sufficient drinking water and energy foods like bars and dried fruits. Another caving danger is flooding, which can quickly fill a passageway with water, blocking your progress, or worse: drowning you. For this reason, close attention must be paid to the weather when planning a cave exploration. Entering a cave is entering an uneven world of rough, jagged irregularity. You’ll be doing a lot of climbing, crawling, stretching, ducking, grasping, and body-manipulating, all of which can be exhausting after several hours, so a decent level of physical fitness goes a long way toward an enjoyable caving experience. Move carefully to avoid unnecessary bumps, bruises, sprains, and surprises, and have a basic first aid kit along in case your nose didn’t see that outcropping directly in front of your face. Do not overextend your reach when grasping for a handhold or foothold and watch for loose rock. Finally, watch your step, and have fun!