Caving, or spelunking as it’s known, is a really cool sport and a great way to get to know the Earth below just the surface. It’s a brilliant hands-on learning opportunity and with warmer days finally here, ‘tis the season. If up until this point you’ve only ever taken guided tours for all ages, and now you’re ready to get a little more daring, then you’ll appreciate these tips we have for beginner spelunkers. Let’s get into it!
Never, under any circumstances ever go caving alone. Do we make ourselves clear? Think about it, say you go caving alone and you find yourself between a rock and a hard place (ba dum tss) but no one is there to help you or go find help. Then what? Don’t make us tell you horror stories about people meeting their fate this way. We recommend going in groups of 3 – 5, and it doesn’t hurt to have some experienced spelunkers with you either!
Outside of your caving group, make sure someone else knows where you’re exploring and how late you plan to be. If things take a turn, at least someone above ground either knows that you’re safe or that you may need help.
Know your limits and allow yourself to be a beginner. Caves, and nature in general, can be unforgiving and the tiniest mistake can be bad news. Don’t overdo cave excursions and instead allow yourself to be a beginner and work your way to a level of expertise.
Make sure to check the weather. Caves can flood dangerously fast, so make sure you aren’t expecting rain prior to setting out.
Double and triple-check that you have the right gear before you even think about going caving. Caves are made of rocks and rocks are hard, so you want to make sure you’re wearing a sturdy helmet with chin straps at all times, bonus points if there is a light on top, and we’ll go ahead and say it, elbow and knee pads aren’t bad ideas either. Aside from these things make sure you have lights, extra batteries, a first aid kit, food, and water.
Step lightly and avoid stepping anywhere that looks unstable.
Make sure you dress for a cool, damp climate. Believe it or not, a lot of hypothermia can happen in a cave. It’s also helpful to have a change of dry clothes to change into after your caving experience is over.
And, of course, respect mother nature. Never go into a cave and break formations or deface the ave in any way. Don’t use tobacco, don’t bother the wildlife, don’t leave trash behind, and don’t uhm, go #1 or #2 in the cave. (Bring a bottle, and yes, we’re serious!)