Getting into a cave for the first time is hard to beat compared to any other outdoor experience. The temperature drops, the light fades after just a few steps, and suddenly a realm that few people ever get to see is just ahead. But going caving, or spelunking as some people say, takes much more preparation than a simple stroll in the woods. The underground world does not forgive inadequate preparation, but hopefully no one feels discouraged by that fact. Preparation is all part of it.
Why Caves Require Different Preparation
The first cave related adjustment for newbies is that there is no natural light after the entrance zone once inside a cave. There is no light from the moon, and there is no light from a nearby town. This almost palpable darkness is the hardest part of the cave experience. Illumination therefore is the most vital piece of equipment, and veteran cavers would never enter a cave without multiple sources of light. Cavers should have three sources of light as a general rule. New cavers are encouraged to have one primary source and one backup headlamp, and an alternative source of light just to be safe.
Fenix Headlamps make an excellent choice for caves since they allow both hands free to scramble and climb up rocks. More than most new cavers expect, scrambling through the rocky passageways in a cave requires all fours on occasion. A powerful headlamp that has adjustable brightness levels saves battery life during passages that do not require full power, but it is also strong enough to help with sections of the cave that are challenging. Backup lamps are also necessary because batteries drain more quickly in the chill that many caves maintain. And if cavers are unlucky enough to lose a light on slick rocks, backup lights come in handy.
The Gear That Makes Caving Safer
Beyond lighting, every caver should also wear an appropriate helmet. Caves have low ceilings and overhanging features and there is nothing worse than smashing one’s head against a rocky outcrop. Climbing helmets with clips for holding headlamps work just as well as, if not better than, traditional construction helmets without adding the extra weight. Some cavers have even been known to use bicycle helmets because they are lightweight, but actual caving helmets absorb impact better and are excellent for mounting lights.
Cavers should also be careful with what they wear. Caves feel chilly once inside but they maintain a constant temperature throughout the year — usually between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the United States. That temperature is incredibly comfortable when a caver enters the cave, but it gets cold after an hour or two in a dry yet active cave. Layers of synthetic or wool clothing keep cavers warm without wicking body heat away from their skin like cotton does when wet. Though dry caves do not have a source of standing water, they create moisture from condensation and water that drips off of cave formations.
Boots are another major consideration in caves because they need serious ankle support and impressive tread patterns to help navigate slippery rocks and uneven paths. The floors of most caves are not groomed hiking trails but breakdown zones, flowstone that looks like ancient stone rivers, and muddy trails. Good shoes prevent twisted ankles and provide enough traction to scramble over boulders or challenging rock formations.
Selecting a Cave for First Time Cavers
Here’s one thing that makes entering caves much easier for new cavers: going into a cave with people who know what they are doing. Most regions have local grottos (caving clubs) that schedule beginning friendly trips into caves regularly. These grottos teach new cavers the ropes, what equipment works well, and how to move through the underground world without damaging sensitive formations or putting themselves at risk.
Another excellent resource for new cavers is commercial tour caves. These caves have been developed for tourism, which means they have installed lighting infrastructure, paths, and guides who tell people about cave ecology and geology. They are not quite the same as wild caving, but they introduce people to what is going on underground without some of the technical challenges that wild caves present. Some tour caves also have wild sections that are undeveloped passageways for which they allow proper supervised access.
It may be possible to gain access to public caves for unguided exploration; however, new cavers should research these carefully before their trip to avoid getting into trouble inside a cave. Some caves require permits for entry; some regions have seasonal closures for hibernating bats; some regions have public caves that are closed due to problems with White-Nose Syndrome. Checking with local land managers or cave organizations will provide relevant access information.
Understanding Cave Ethics and Conservation
Caving ethics are also critically important to conserve these fragile areas for good reasons. Cave formations grow at an incredibly slow rate. Some stalactites only grow less than an inch every 100 years! Touching formations leaves the oils from fingers that discolor the rocks and even stop their growth. The rule is: Look but don’t touch! If a passage must be touched to be traversed, touch already broken rock instead of pristine formations.
Staying on paths keeps people safe and protects fragile ecosystems and cave formations. Climbing on formations damages them, and getting lost in a complex cave system could endanger lives.
Building Skills Over Time
New cavers are encouraged to tackle easier caves and work their way up to more complex systems. Beginner caves with large passageways that require minimal climbing help cavers build skills like using their equipment properly, and moving carefully over loose rocks.
Whatever challenges lay underneath, those experiences await feel like another world — especially when entered in proper conditions. With some planning and preparation, beginner cavers can make unforgettable first experiences. It just takes a little time to find what is needed, sources of local information, and caving ethics.
