Caving is the exploration of natural caves and other underground passages. In the United Kingdom it is often called caving or potholing; in the United States the word spelunking is also common.
Caving can be recreational, sporting, scientific or exploratory. It combines navigation, climbing, rope work, geology, conservation and teamwork in an environment where ordinary outdoor assumptions often do not apply.
Caves and Karst
Many caves form in soluble rock such as limestone, where water gradually enlarges cracks, joints and bedding planes. This landscape is known as karst.
The British Geological Survey notes that karst occurs in several soluble rock types across the UK, including limestones, gypsum, halite and chalk. Karst landscapes can include caves, sinkholes, underground streams and springs.
Equipment
Typical caving equipment includes:
- A helmet with a reliable light.
- Backup lighting.
- Tough clothing and suitable footwear.
- Gloves and kneepads.
- A harness, rope and vertical equipment where needed.
- Survey notes, route information or a cave description.
- Emergency supplies appropriate to the trip.
The exact kit depends on the cave. A dry horizontal cave and a wet vertical system have very different requirements.
Techniques
Cavers may need to crawl, climb, squeeze through narrow passages, move through water, descend pitches, ascend ropes and navigate complex route choices.
Vertical caving uses single rope techniques. Cave diving is a separate and highly specialised activity with different training, equipment and risk.
Safety
Caves can be cold, wet, dark and difficult to exit quickly. Hazards include flooding, loose rock, falls, exhaustion, navigation errors, equipment failure and getting stuck.
Basic precautions include going with experienced people, leaving a call-out plan, checking weather and flood risk, carrying backup light, knowing the route and matching the trip to the group's ability.
Conservation
Caves can contain fragile formations, sediments, archaeology, fossils, bats and specialised ecosystems. Damage may be permanent.
The British Caving Association promotes minimal-impact caving, including avoiding unnecessary contact with formations, keeping to established routes where appropriate and respecting access arrangements.
Caving in Britain
Major British caving areas include the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Mendip, South Wales, Forest of Dean and parts of Devon and Cornwall. Access arrangements vary by cave, landowner and region.
The British Caving Association is the national body for caving in the UK. The British Cave Research Association promotes cave science and speleological research.
Notable Cave Systems
Internationally known cave systems include Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, Sistema Sac Actun in Mexico, the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst caves, and Waitomo's glowworm caves in New Zealand.
Notability in caving may come from length, depth, geology, archaeology, biology, difficulty or history of exploration.
See Also
References
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