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24

Caving
“Mystery, adventure, discovery, beauty,
conservation, danger. To many who are avid
cavers and speleologists, caves are all of these
things and many more, too.”
—David R. McClurg (caver, subterranean photographer, caving skills instructor,
and longtime member of the National Speleological Society), The Amateur’s
Guide to Caves and Caving, 1973

Beneath the Earth’s surface lies a magnificent realm darker

than a moonless night. No rain falls. No storms rage. The
seasons never change. Other than the ripple of hidden streams
and the occasional splash of dripping water, this underground
world is silent, yet it is not without life. Bats fly with sure
reckoning through mazes of tunnels, and eyeless creatures
scurry about. Transparent fish stir the waters of underground
streams, and the darkness is home to tiny organisms seldom
seen in broad daylight.
This is the world of the cave, as beautiful, alien,
and remote as the glaciated crests of lofty mountains. Just as
climbers are tempted by summits that rise far above familiar
ground, cavers are drawn into a subterranean wilderness every
bit as exciting and remarkable as any place warmed by the
rays of the sun.
Water is the most common force involved in the
creation of caves. As it seeps through the earth, moisture
can dissolve limestone, gypsum, and other sedimentary rock.
Surf pounding rocky cliffs can, over the centuries, carve out
sea caves of spectacular shape and dimension. The surface
of lava flowing from a volcanic eruption can cool and harden
while molten rock runs out below it, leaving behind lava
tubes. Streams running under glaciers can melt caves in the
ice that stay around for a season or two, or a century or two.

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24 Boulders tumbling down a mountainside sometimes come to rest against

one another in ways that form passageways.
Many caves are so small that people can barely enter, while others
extend for miles and include rooms of tremendous dimensions. Features
come in all sizes, too, from soaring rock columns to tiny needles of stone.
While most caves are stable enough to survive earthquakes, the contents
of caves are often extremely fragile.
The forces shaping caves and their features work with exceeding
patience. Centuries may pass before groundwater widens a chamber or
lengthens a passage by even an inch. A drop of water hanging from the point
of a stalactite leaves behind a trace of mineral
residue when it finally falls, lengthening the
WHAT IS A CAVE? stalactite ever so slightly, then splashing on a
stalagmite rising from the cave floor and
A cave is a naturally depositing a hint of minerals there, too.
Massive and delicate, living and stony,
formed void located
a cave is almost timeless, little touched by the
beneath the surface of world above. We have the power to explore
the Earth. By definition, and enjoy the underground world of caves,
but we must always do so in ways that protect
it must have passages these pristine environments.
or rooms large enough
to admit a human, and
by popular definition,
must be long enough so
that a caver can get out
of the twilight to enter a
zone of total darkness.

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The Importance of Caves 24

Cave environments are tightly entwined with the world above. Caves often
play a role in rapidly transporting water and providing means for recharging
aquifers. Bats, snakes, frogs, insects, and other cave visitors, all known as
trogloxenes, form webs of interdependency near cave entrances. Permanent
underground dwellers such as blind crayfish, blind Texas salamanders, blind
shrimp, and the endangered tooth
cave spider—the troglobites—can
live nowhere but in caves. They
are parts of fragile ecosystems
unique on the planet.
Caves can provide
a window into the past for
archaeologists (those studying
past human life), biologists
(those studying animals),
and paleontologists (scientists
studying fossilized remains
to better understand earlier
geological periods). For many
people, caves are places of
breathtaking beauty, challenging Cavers find many strange sights underground,
adventure, and the promise of such as the remains of a bat encased in a stalagmite.
the unknown.

Leave No Trace Caving

Caves and the formations within them evolve with such exceeding slowness
that underground environments have little capacity for recovering on their
own from the negative impact of human visitors. A broken stalactite or
stalagmite may grow back, but only after thousands of years. Marks left on
stone will be visible for centuries to come. Discarded batteries, orange peels,
and other bits of litter will stay exactly where they are until someone carries
them away.
Only by protecting caves can today’s subterranean travelers ensure
that future cavers will have a chance to enjoy their own underground dis-
coveries and adventures. If you aren’t willing to protect fully the condition
of the caves you want to visit, stay aboveground and find some other way
to spend your time.
In addition to following the general Leave No Trace principles,
following the guidelines below will ensure that you are caving responsibly:
• Go to the bathroom before entering a cave and/or carry out human waste
in containers designed for that purpose.
• In well-traveled caves, stay on established trails. In caves without
pathways, choose routes that will have the least impact on the
subterranean environment.
• Watch for roosting bats and other cave dwellers, and try not to disturb
them. Keep noise down to respect wildlife and other visitors.
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24 • Enjoy viewing and photographing

cave formations, but don’t touch
them. Oils and dirt from your
hands can impede their growth.
Leave cave formations, rocks,
and artifacts for others to see.
• Nutrients foreign to a cave
ecosystem can be harmful
to microbes and may attract mice
and other nonnative creatures
underground. Before eating in a
cave, spread a plastic trash bag
on the floor to catch crumbs and
other bits of food, then carry
them home with you.
• Human waste is disastrous
to cave environments. Every
caver should consider carrying
a pack-it-out kit for solid waste
removal, and a designated bottle
for carrying out urine.
Leave interesting cave finds like this calcium
• Wear only boots or shoes with formation for future cavers to enjoy.
nonmarking soles. Boots with
blonde soles or gum rubber soles
are acceptable; black-soled
hiking boots are not.
For details on making and using pack-it-out kits for human waste,
see the chapter titled “Hygiene and Waste Disposal.”

Caving Organizations and Land Management Agencies

Dedicated to promoting responsible caving, local chapters (or grottos)
of the National Speleological Society can be very helpful to Scout
groups. Two other organizations are the American Cave Conservation
Association and the Cave Research Foundation. Public agencies
overseeing certain caves are essential resources for cavers of any
age and experience level. Among them are the National Park Service,
USDA Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Caving organizations and public agencies might also be able to
provide guidance to Scout groups interested in assisting with the
restoration of damaged caves. No projects should be undertaken
without the permission of the agency or landowners in charge of a
cave, and all work should be supervised by people with a knowledge
of cave restoration and repair.
For links to these organizations and agencies, see the Fieldbook
Web site.

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“Caving is dangerous,
make no mistake about
that. But it is also true
24
that caving is only as
dangerous as a caver
makes it.”
—David R. McClurg, The Amateur’s
Guide to Caves and Caving, 1973

Caving Safety
The hazards of caving probably are no greater than those encountered by
mountain travelers. However, rescues can be more complicated when a
person is injured underground in the remote interior of a cave. Thorough
planning and preparation can help you minimize caving’s inherent risks.
Underground hazards can include flooding, falling, equipment failure,
disorientation, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and exposure to histoplasmosis
(a bronchial disease caused by a fungus), rabies, and other biological concerns.
Prepare for safe caving through careful planning, proper leadership
and training, carrying the right equipment, and exercising good judgment.
Keep the following guidelines in mind when planning for and participating
in caving:
• Never cave alone. A group entering a cave should consist of a minimum
of four people, at least one of them an experienced caver. If there is an
emergency, one person can stay with an injured person while the other
two go for help.
• Before you embark, always file a detailed trip plan with a responsible
adult. Write down the exact location of the cave entrance, where you
intend to go while you are underground, and when you expect to come
out. Then stick to your itinerary. If you have not returned by the time
noted on your trip plan, the person expecting you must assume you
have encountered difficulties and should notify authorities to begin
search-and-rescue operations. (For more on trip plans, see the chapter
titled “Planning a Trek.”)

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24 • Each person should carry at least three reliable sources of light—ideally,

good flashlights with fresh batteries. A headlamp will allow you to use
both hands while crawling and climbing.

• Don’t exceed your capabilities. Caving is a learned skill. Begin with short,
easily manageable trips underground. As your understanding of caving
grows, you can gradually extend the time and distance of your subter-
ranean journeys.

• Stay out of mines. Caves have endured eons of motion by the earth and
can generally be assumed to be relatively stable. The same cannot be said
of mines and other excavations created by humans, which are much more
prone to rockfall and collapse.

• Be aware of the potential for flooding. It might seem odd that weather can
have an impact on the conditions of a cave, but it can. Rainwater seeping
underground can have dramatic effects on the levels of subterranean
pools and streams long after a storm. As a rule of thumb, enter caves
only after several days of fair weather.

• Never use ropes, ladders, anchor points, or other installations in caves

unless absolutely assured of their security by group leaders who had a
hand in the initial selection and placement of the components and who
have made a thorough evaluation of the current status of each item.
Mountaineers don’t trust ropes or hardware they did not themselves
bring on a climb; the same holds true for cavers.

• Caving involves a set of skills that should be learned under the supervi-
sion of qualified instructors who have mastered their craft through many
caving experiences. Seek out good teachers and group leaders, and study
the skills of caving from the ground down.

Lost in a Cave

Do all you can to keep track of your location as you move about
underground. Sticking to established routes, traveling in the company
of cavers familiar with particular underground passages, and following
published maps can all be means of staying found. Turn frequently and
study the way you have come, the better to recognize the appearance
of your return route.
If you do become confused about where you are while caving,
stop immediately and stay as calm as you can. Switch off your head-
lamp to conserve its power. Have a bite to eat and a sip of water, pull
on some extra clothing to help you stay warm, then wait to be found.
Give a shout every minute or two and listen for an answer, but don’t
wander about aimlessly searching for a way out. It might take time,
but if you left your trip plan information with a responsible person,
someone will come for you.

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24

Caving Equipment and Supplies

Even though you will always travel in caves
with several companions, equip yourself
to function independently. Carry a day pack
or fanny pack that contains the outdoor
essentials with a few variations. You won’t
need rain gear or sun protection, but a
pocketknife and a first-aid kit could come
in handy underground. A map of the cave
and a compass also could prove useful.
For more on the outdoor essentials,
see the chapter titled “Gearing Up.”

Clothing
Old, rugged clothing or coveralls are a must
underground. A caver walks, crawls, climbs,
and squirms through passages that may be
sloppy with mud, water, and bat guano.
Some caves are chilly and damp, conditions
conducive to hypothermia, so you might need
to pull on layers of wool or fleece to stay
warm. Pads for your knees and elbows will
provide protection if you will do extensive
crawling, and so will gloves. Leave a set of
clean clothes outside the cave for the trip
home, and a plastic trash bag for stowing
your muddy clothing and shoes.

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24 Light
The only illumination in a cave is what you take in, so you must carry
dependable sources of light that will last as long as you are underground.
Nothing is more vital to your safety; a caver stranded without a light has
no choice but to sit still in the darkness and wait to be rescued. To be sure
that won’t happen to you, have at least three independent, reliable sources
of light. Even if two of them fail, you can still see to find your way to the
cave’s entrance. The best caving lights are electric headlamps (with fresh
batteries) that can be attached to caving helmets.

Battery-Powered Headlamps vs. Carbide Lamps

Battery-powered headlamps are powerful, reliable, and inexpensive,
and have all but replaced the carbide lamps that were the choice
of earlier generations of cavers. Carbide lamps do generate bright
light, but they also produce undesirable by-products in the forms of
acetylene gas and spent fuel residue. Agencies managing many caves
have discouraged or banned the use of carbide. You can help ensure
the health of other cavers and of the caves you visit by choosing
battery-powered lights for all your underground journeys.

Helmet
Think of low, dimly lit cave ceilings, and you’ll realize the importance of
always wearing protective headgear. Helmets made especially for caving are
the best choice, though rock-climbing helmets also are well-suited for cavers.
Secure the chin strap
to prevent your helmet
from slipping off.
(Construction hard
hats are not suitable
for cavers.)

Food and Water

Carry drinking water
and enough high-energy
food to see you through
a caving trip even if you
are underground longer
than you had planned.

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Caving Techniques
The goal of every caving expedition
is to get in and out of the cave
safely, to enjoy yourself while you
are underground, and to leave no
trace of your passing. That requires
planning, beginning by contacting
the agency responsible for manag-
ing that area. There might be
limitations on the size of groups
going into a cave, and permits
might be required. Agency officials
might be able to provide you with
maps and suggestions for ways to
enhance your experience.
Move slowly and deliberately in a cave. Avoid jumping and be
especially cautious if you cross ledges or work your way over loose rocks
and alongside streams. The most experienced cavers go first and last. Should
the party become scattered, the skilled caver can bring the stragglers along.

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24 Horizontal Caving
Moving horizontally in a cave can involve a variety of movement methods
including bearwalking, crawling, crouching, and duckwalking.

Bearwalking Crawling Crouching Duckwalking

Vertical Caving
“The memory of a cave Many caves include cliffs
and pits that rival those
I used to know at home encountered by rock climbers
aboveground. Descending
was always in my mind, and ascending these obstacles—
vertical caving—can require
with its lofty passages, ropes, harnesses, and hardware,
and should not be attempted
its silence and solitude, without extensive training and
supervision by qualified caving
instructors. The BSA’s climbing/
its shrouding gloom, its rappelling guidelines require
that any climber or rappeller
sepulchral echos, its flitting more than shoulder height
above the ground must be
lights, and more than all, protected by a belayer. Vertical
caving is beyond the scope of
its sudden revelation of this book.
For more on the
branching crevices and BSA’s guidelines for climbing
and rappelling, see the
corridors where we least Fieldbook Web site, and BSA
publications Climb On Safely
and Topping Out.
expected them.”
—Mark Twain (Mississippi River steamboat
pilot, journalist, and acclaimed author
of books including The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn),
Innocents Abroad, 1869
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Speleology 24
Speleology is the study of caves; a speleologist is one who does that studying.
Your own explorations and studies of caves can encompass a wide variety
of activities, from photographing subterranean features to examining subter-
ranean geology and finding evidence of the creative forces at work. Perhaps
you can discover some of the habits of tiny inhabitants of the darkness.
The more caves you visit, the more time you’ll want to spend
underground. One day you will come to the surface tired and covered with
mud, but there will be a smile on your face and you’ll know you have
become a caver. You will have realized that a caver’s happiest moments
come when you can visit a cave and then leave it exactly as you found it.

Cave Map Symbols

Surveyed passage Passage ceiling

10
height

Underlying (dotted) Large

passage breakdown

Vertical drop in Small

passage with depth Breakdown

Sketched passage Clay

Sloping passage Sand

Bedrock pillar
Stream and pool
in passage

Flowstone Survey station

Rimstone dam Cross section

Underground experts mapping caves use special symbols to indicate subterranean features.
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