Caving

What is Caving?
Caving is the art of safely moving through a natural cave to a destination and returning to the surface without hurting yourself or the cave. In order to explore safely, you will need the right equipment and the right skills. The following sections will provide you basic information and links to help you get started exploring caves.
The equipment you need will most depend on what types of caves you plan on going to. The cave environment such as amount of water and temperature will vary from cave to cave. The following table will give you the basics. I have much more detailed information in the guide to caving
Different caves have different technical demands. There are different skills needed for horizontal caves, vertical caves, ice caves, and underwater caves. The following checklists will give you some basic guidance, but there is no substitute for learning from experienced cavers.
Caving is often undertaken for the enjoyment of the outdoor activity or for physical exercise, as well as original exploration, similar to mountaineering or diving. Physical or biological science is also an important goal for some cavers, while others are engaged in cave photography.[2] Virgin cave systems comprise some of the last unexplored regions on Earth and much effort is put into trying to locate, enter and survey them. In well-explored regions (such as most developed nations), the most accessible caves have already been explored, and gaining access to new caves often requires cave digging or cave diving.
Caving, in certain areas, has also been utilized as a form of eco and adventure tourism. Tour companies have established an industry leading and guiding tours into and through caves. Depending on the type of cave and the type of tour, the experience could be adventure-based or ecological-based. In many areas (e.g. Bend, Oregon, the oceanic islands of Tenerife, Iceland Iceland and Hawaii), there are tours led through lava tubes by a guiding service.
Caving has also been described as an "individualist's team sport" by some,[3] as cavers can often make a trip without direct physical assistance from others but will generally go in a group for companionship or to provide emergency help if needed. Some however consider the assistance cavers give each other as a typical team sport activity.[6]
Caving is essentially the exploration of non-commercial cave systems around the world. Also known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom, the hobby is fast growing in momentum amongst climbers. Currently considered to be an extreme sport, caving typically explores isolated (and often rarely explored) caves and ridges with limited safety equipment. This may involve the process of squeezing through rocks, maneuvering sharp rocks and dangerous crevices, as well as through bodies of water.
Due to the limited equipment used and lack of assistance from the outside world, caving requires its participants to have at least intermediate climbing skills. To ensure your safety you will also need to use quality, reliable equipment and thoroughly plan before the commencement of each journey.
Too much emphasis on the labeling of caving as a sport can narrow the goals of caving as a whole. Caving often puts the needs and welfare of a cave before those of the active participants. It is fair to say that while caving shares some attributes of sport activities, for many it transcends sports as many cavers pursue cave science, mapping, photography, and the management and conservation of cave environments
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