CAVER

A caver is a person who enters natural cave systems to explore, study, and map them. Caving encompasses recreational trips, scientific research, and rescue preparation. The term "caver" is commonly used in many regions and distinguishes amateurs and professionals from casual visitors implied by the term "spelunker"—though usage varies, with some communities embracing either term.

Typical activities include cave surveying, photography, biodiversity and geology studies, and rescue training. Trips can involve tight squeezes, vertical pitches, and large chambers. Equipment commonly used includes a helmet with a mounted headlamp, durable clothing, knee and elbow protection, gloves, and sturdy boots; ropes, harnesses, ascenders/descenders, and anchor systems for vertical caves; maps, cave line, and environmental monitoring gear.

Safety and ethics: Caving presents hazards such as hypoxia, floodwater, hypothermia, rockfall, and getting lost. Cavers plan thoroughly, travel with a partner, and gain instruction through clubs or organizations. Respect for cave ecosystems is essential: avoid touching formations, do not disturb wildlife, and adhere to closures and conservation guidelines.

Organization and history: The caving community is organized around clubs and national bodies such as the National Speleological Society in the United States and various national associations. Cave surveying, rescue, and exploration are formal activities, and many caves are mapped and desurveyed by volunteer cavers. Modern caving developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, with pioneers such as Édouard-Alfred Martel helping to initiate systematic exploration and documentation of caves.