caving

Caving, also known as spelunking or potholing, is the exploration of caves. It includes recreational trips, scientific study, and mapping of underground passages, as well as training for cave rescue and cave photography. Speleology is the science that studies caves and their processes.

History and scope: Humans have entered caves for shelter, resources, and ritual since ancient times. Modern caving developed in the 19th and 20th centuries with organized exploration, surveying, and the growth of speleology as a discipline. Subspecialties include vertical caving, biology, archaeology, and cave diving.

Equipment and techniques: Basic gear includes a helmet with a headlamp, sturdy clothing and boots, gloves, and a harness. For vertical caves, ropes, descenders, ascenders, and protection devices are used, with redundancy in lighting. Navigation relies on maps, markers, and careful surveying. Ethical practice emphasizes conservation and minimal impact on delicate ecosystems.

Safety and hazards: Common risks include hypothermia, flooding, slips, falls, rockfall, getting lost, and equipment failure. Trips should be planned with weather checks, local guidance, and the buddy system. Training, route planning, and emergency plans reduce danger; professional cave rescues are organized by regional networks.

Environment and conservation: Caves host specialized ecosystems, including bats and troglobionts, and feature mineral formations like stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors should avoid touching formations, limit noise, and respect access restrictions. Responsible caving aims to protect cave resources and habitats.

Notable examples include Mammoth Cave in the United States, Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Vietnam, and Krubera Cave (Voronya) in Georgia.