Introduction to CavingIntroduction to Caving

Caving Safely and Caving Caving Safely and Caving SoftlySoftly

Caving OrganizationsCaving Organizations

National Speleological SocietyNational Speleological Society– Dedicated to the exploration and preservation of Dedicated to the exploration and preservation of

cave resources.cave resources. Local GrottosLocal Grottos

– Most larger cities have a caving club called a Most larger cities have a caving club called a “grotto”.“grotto”.

– Membership is open to anyone.Membership is open to anyone.– Monthly meetings.Monthly meetings.– Newsletter.Newsletter.– Organized cave trips.Organized cave trips.– Great way to meet cavers, learn about caves and Great way to meet cavers, learn about caves and

obtain cave maps.obtain cave maps.

Volunteer CaversVolunteer Cavers

Help introduce new cavers to safe caving Help introduce new cavers to safe caving techniques and practices.techniques and practices.

Are not paid! They sacrifice their time to help. Are not paid! They sacrifice their time to help. Please respect the volunteers.Please respect the volunteers.

Will put themselves in danger if you get hurt or Will put themselves in danger if you get hurt or need help. need help.

Volunteer cavers are responsible for knowing the Volunteer cavers are responsible for knowing the cave route, the safety of the participants and the cave route, the safety of the participants and the protection of the cave.protection of the cave.

What is a cave?What is a cave?

A cave is a natural void under the A cave is a natural void under the earth’s surface.earth’s surface.

Most caves are formed in soluble rock, Most caves are formed in soluble rock, usually limestone.usually limestone.

A solution cave is formed when rock is A solution cave is formed when rock is dissolved by slightly acidic water.dissolved by slightly acidic water.

Terrains that show evidence of Terrains that show evidence of solutional caves are called “karst.”solutional caves are called “karst.”

There are also lava tube caves, sea There are also lava tube caves, sea caves, ice caves and recess caves.caves, ice caves and recess caves.

Sea CaveSea Cave

Ice CaveIce Cave

Lava Tube CaveLava Tube Cave

Recess CaveRecess Cave

Limestone CaveLimestone Cave

Limestone CaveLimestone Cave

Solutional CaveSolutional Cave

Solutional caves may form anywhere with rock Solutional caves may form anywhere with rock which is soluble, and are most prevalent in which is soluble, and are most prevalent in limestone.limestone.

Cave formation in limestone occurs because Cave formation in limestone occurs because limestone dissolves under the action of limestone dissolves under the action of rainwater and groundwater charged with CO2 rainwater and groundwater charged with CO2 (carbonic acid).(carbonic acid).

Limestone caves are often adorned with Limestone caves are often adorned with calcium carbonate formations produced calcium carbonate formations produced through slow precipitation, including the most through slow precipitation, including the most common and well-known stalactites and common and well-known stalactites and stalagmites.stalagmites.

These secondary mineral deposits in caves are These secondary mineral deposits in caves are called speleothems. called speleothems.

How Are Caves How Are Caves Formed?Formed? H2O + CO2 = H2CO3H2O + CO2 = H2CO3

– H2CO3 is Carbonic AcidH2CO3 is Carbonic Acid Rainwater seeps into the limestone Rainwater seeps into the limestone

bedrock and dissolves away the rock.bedrock and dissolves away the rock. Caves are formed by a chemical action Caves are formed by a chemical action

not by erosion or mechanical action.not by erosion or mechanical action. Caves take millions of years to form.Caves take millions of years to form.

SpeleothemsSpeleothems

Water containing dissolved minerals seeps Water containing dissolved minerals seeps through the rock, creating formations, or through the rock, creating formations, or speleothems, on the floors, ceilings, and walls speleothems, on the floors, ceilings, and walls of caves.of caves.

Most are composed of crystals of calcite or Most are composed of crystals of calcite or gypsum, but they often incorporate other gypsum, but they often incorporate other minerals that impart color. minerals that impart color.

Include stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, Include stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, draperies, pearls, flowstone, rimstone, and draperies, pearls, flowstone, rimstone, and columns.columns.

Grow slowly, sometimes for thousands of Grow slowly, sometimes for thousands of years, and because of changes in weather or years, and because of changes in weather or surface drainage, some are no longer growing surface drainage, some are no longer growing at all.at all.

StalactitesStalactites

StalagmitesStalagmites

Gypsum FlowersGypsum Flowers

Cave PearlsCave Pearls

FlowstoneFlowstone

Formation RoomFormation Room

Cave ConservationCave ConservationCave Softly – Leave No TraceCave Softly – Leave No Trace

A single careless touch or malicious A single careless touch or malicious gesture can destroy what may have gesture can destroy what may have taken hundreds, or even thousands of taken hundreds, or even thousands of years to form, and once damaged or years to form, and once damaged or destroyed, speleothems may not destroyed, speleothems may not regenerate at all.regenerate at all.

Mud from a caver’s glove or boot can Mud from a caver’s glove or boot can remain forever as an ugly stain.remain forever as an ugly stain.

Cave LifeCave Life

Caves afford transitory or permanent Caves afford transitory or permanent sanctuary for a range of organisms. sanctuary for a range of organisms.

The variety of life in a cave is small The variety of life in a cave is small and more fragile than most life on the and more fragile than most life on the surface.surface.

Avoid disturbing a cave’s inhabitants, Avoid disturbing a cave’s inhabitants, and treat them with respect.and treat them with respect.

Cave Life - CricketsCave Life - Crickets

Cave LifeCave Life

BatsBats

Bats play important roles in surface Bats play important roles in surface ecosystems.ecosystems.

Most bat species are insect eaters, and Most bat species are insect eaters, and some bats eat half their body weight in some bats eat half their body weight in insects each night.insects each night.

A single bat can eat more than 600 A single bat can eat more than 600 mosquitoes in an hour! mosquitoes in an hour!

Conscientious cavers avoid important Conscientious cavers avoid important bat caves in the winter to protect bat caves in the winter to protect hibernating bats, and in the summer to hibernating bats, and in the summer to protect mothers and young.protect mothers and young.

Cave Life – BatsCave Life – Bats

Cave Life – BatsCave Life – Bats

The Fragile The Fragile UndergroundUnderground

Visiting CavesVisiting Caves

Why visit caves?Why visit caves?

People visit caves for many reasons, People visit caves for many reasons, but mainly for pleasure or science. but mainly for pleasure or science.

Non-cavers may know cavers as Non-cavers may know cavers as spelunkers, but most responsible spelunkers, but most responsible visitors to caves prefer to be called visitors to caves prefer to be called “cavers.”“cavers.”

Speleology is the scientific study of the Speleology is the scientific study of the cave environment, and one who cave environment, and one who studies caves is a speleologist.studies caves is a speleologist.

What do cavers do What do cavers do underground?underground? Survey the caves and make maps.Survey the caves and make maps. Study the geology and biology.Study the geology and biology. Clean up caves and repair broken Clean up caves and repair broken

formations.formations. The knowledge they gain helps The knowledge they gain helps

environmental and land-use environmental and land-use planning.planning.

Caving ResponsiblyCaving Responsibly

You and your partners are responsible You and your partners are responsible for protecting yourselves, other cavers, for protecting yourselves, other cavers, and the caves you visit.and the caves you visit.

We’re all in this together. You don’t We’re all in this together. You don’t want your actions to cause other cavers want your actions to cause other cavers to remember you as “that caver who to remember you as “that caver who got killed” or “that caver who was got killed” or “that caver who was careless and irresponsible around careless and irresponsible around formations.” formations.”

Being a responsible caver involves Being a responsible caver involves planning a trip, moving through the planning a trip, moving through the cave, and returning safely, on time.cave, and returning safely, on time.

Do you really want to go Do you really want to go caving? Tolerating caving? Tolerating misery.misery. Caving is not a spectator sport, and it tends to Caving is not a spectator sport, and it tends to

be cold and muddy.be cold and muddy. Tight passages and long crawls are common.Tight passages and long crawls are common. The dangers include falling down pits, being The dangers include falling down pits, being

crushed by falling rocks or collapsing crushed by falling rocks or collapsing passages, drowning, and hypothermia.passages, drowning, and hypothermia.

There is the possibility of getting lost and There is the possibility of getting lost and dying of hypothermia or slowly starving to dying of hypothermia or slowly starving to death.death.

Traveling to caves can be time-consuming and Traveling to caves can be time-consuming and expensive, and the gear isn’t inexpensive expensive, and the gear isn’t inexpensive either.either.

The typical Kentucky The typical Kentucky CaveCave Constant temperature of 55-57 Constant temperature of 55-57

degrees F.degrees F. Completely dark.Completely dark. Air is near 100% humidity.Air is near 100% humidity. Wet, muddy & damp.Wet, muddy & damp. Uneven, rocky, slippery floors.Uneven, rocky, slippery floors. Movement includes, walking, Movement includes, walking,

climbing, crawling and stooping.climbing, crawling and stooping.

Essential EquipmentEssential EquipmentEach person on the trip must have the items Each person on the trip must have the items

belowbelow

HelmetHelmet LightsLights BootsBoots Knee PadsKnee Pads GlovesGloves PackPack

Proper ClothingProper Clothing Food and WaterFood and Water TrashbagTrashbag Spare BatteriesSpare Batteries Spare BulbSpare Bulb First Aid KitFirst Aid Kit

HelmetHelmet

A climbing-grade helmet with a three A climbing-grade helmet with a three point attachment system is best.point attachment system is best.

One that meets UIAA or CE standards.One that meets UIAA or CE standards. Your helmet protects your head and Your helmet protects your head and

offers a mount for your lights.offers a mount for your lights. For your first cave trip a construction For your first cave trip a construction

helmet with a two point chin strap will helmet with a two point chin strap will be ok.be ok.

Avoid football and army helmets.Avoid football and army helmets. Wear a bandana under your helmet for Wear a bandana under your helmet for

a better fit.a better fit.

HelmetsHelmets

Lights, Lights, LightsLights, Lights, Lights

Carry at least three independent sources of Carry at least three independent sources of light per person.light per person.

Mount the primary light on the helmetMount the primary light on the helmet, so , so that you automatically have light wherever that you automatically have light wherever you turn your head and your hands are free to you turn your head and your hands are free to climb safely.climb safely.

The second and third light sources should be The second and third light sources should be equivalent to the primary light.equivalent to the primary light.

Spare parts, including batteries and bulbs, are Spare parts, including batteries and bulbs, are necessary components of each source of light.necessary components of each source of light.

Lights using LEDs are small and energy Lights using LEDs are small and energy efficient, that their advantages outweigh efficient, that their advantages outweigh those of candles and glow sticks.those of candles and glow sticks.

BootsBoots

Old hiking boots with laces, lug soles Old hiking boots with laces, lug soles and good ankle support are best.and good ankle support are best.

Avoid rubber boots and tennis shoes.Avoid rubber boots and tennis shoes. Most types of military boots are fine.Most types of military boots are fine. Your feet are likely to get wet.Your feet are likely to get wet. Water proofing them will not be Water proofing them will not be

necessary. necessary.

BootsBoots

Knee PadsKnee Pads

Knee pads protect your knees Knee pads protect your knees while crawling.while crawling.

The cave floor is often rough and The cave floor is often rough and uneven.uneven.

Regular, athletic knee pads are Regular, athletic knee pads are fine for your first few cave trips.fine for your first few cave trips.

Most cavers quickly purchase Most cavers quickly purchase durable, caving quality knee pads.durable, caving quality knee pads.

Knee PadsKnee Pads

GlovesGloves

Gloves protect hands from Gloves protect hands from abrasion, sharp rocks and mud.abrasion, sharp rocks and mud.

They keep your hands warm.They keep your hands warm. Gloves improve your grip and Gloves improve your grip and

traction when climbing.traction when climbing. $1, brown jersey, garden gloves $1, brown jersey, garden gloves

are fine for your first few cave trips.are fine for your first few cave trips. Most cavers prefer leather gloves.Most cavers prefer leather gloves.

GlovesGloves

Cave PackCave Pack

A pack of some type is necessary to A pack of some type is necessary to carry your spare lights, food, water carry your spare lights, food, water and other gear.and other gear.

A daypack or book bag type is fine for A daypack or book bag type is fine for your first few cave trips.your first few cave trips.

Most cavers have a specialized cave Most cavers have a specialized cave pack made of rugged nylon they wear pack made of rugged nylon they wear on their hip or bag.on their hip or bag.

A cave pack should close securely!A cave pack should close securely!

Cave PackCave Pack

ClothingClothing

Dress for the expected environment in the Dress for the expected environment in the cave.cave.

Layers of clothing made from synthetic fabrics Layers of clothing made from synthetic fabrics are suitable for colder caves, while lighter are suitable for colder caves, while lighter clothing is sufficient for warm caves.clothing is sufficient for warm caves.

The outer layer needs to be able to withstand The outer layer needs to be able to withstand the abrasive and sharp rocks of a cave.the abrasive and sharp rocks of a cave.

Some caves are so cold and wet that they Some caves are so cold and wet that they require more than just layers of warm clothes; require more than just layers of warm clothes; do not attempt such caves without proper do not attempt such caves without proper training.training.

Outer LayerOuter Layer

A pair of non-insulated (mostly nylon) A pair of non-insulated (mostly nylon) work-type coveralls are great.work-type coveralls are great.

Avoid insulated or winter coveralls. They Avoid insulated or winter coveralls. They will probably be too warm.will probably be too warm.

If not coveralls then choose pants and shirt If not coveralls then choose pants and shirt that are mostly nylon or polyester.that are mostly nylon or polyester.

Don’t worry about style or color clashing.Don’t worry about style or color clashing. Wear jeans or sweat pants as a last resort. Wear jeans or sweat pants as a last resort. Some cavers purchase special caving suits.Some cavers purchase special caving suits.

Outer LayerOuter Layer

Under LayerUnder Layer

Wear a pair of polypropylene long Wear a pair of polypropylene long underwear (tops and bottoms).underwear (tops and bottoms).

They will keep you warm and wick the They will keep you warm and wick the moisture away from your skin.moisture away from your skin.

Other types of non-cotton long Other types of non-cotton long underwear are fine. underwear are fine.

Choose wool socks over cotton.Choose wool socks over cotton. Some cavers prefer to wear a thin liner Some cavers prefer to wear a thin liner

sock under their wool socks. sock under their wool socks.

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Always stay together.Always stay together. Let your eyes adjust to the dark.Let your eyes adjust to the dark. Stay put if your get lost.Stay put if your get lost. Help the person in front of you.Help the person in front of you. Help the person behind you.Help the person behind you. When climbing, maintain three points When climbing, maintain three points

of contact.of contact. Take frequent rest breaks.Take frequent rest breaks.

More Safety TipsMore Safety Tips

Do not get ahead of your leader Do not get ahead of your leader and stay in single file.and stay in single file.

No running or jumping.No running or jumping. If you are tired, injured or scared If you are tired, injured or scared

let your leader know.let your leader know. Yell “ROCK!” if something is falling.Yell “ROCK!” if something is falling. Don’t look up if you hear someone Don’t look up if you hear someone

yelling “ROCK!”.yelling “ROCK!”.

Proper CavingProper Caving

Avoid using the cave as a Avoid using the cave as a bathroom.bathroom.

Turn off your light to conserve Turn off your light to conserve battery power when resting.battery power when resting.

Don’t shine your light in the eyes Don’t shine your light in the eyes of other cavers.of other cavers.

Carry your trash and other Carry your trash and other people’s trash out of the cave – people’s trash out of the cave – especially batteries.especially batteries.

Proper CavingProper Caving

Ask the cave landowner for permission Ask the cave landowner for permission before entering the cave.before entering the cave.

Observe landowner’s wishes.Observe landowner’s wishes. Tell someone where you are going and Tell someone where you are going and

when you expect to be out of the cave.when you expect to be out of the cave. Leave No TraceLeave No Trace Bring a change of clothes for after the Bring a change of clothes for after the

cave.cave.

Cave ExploringCave Exploring

Cave ExploringCave Exploring

Cave ExploringCave Exploring

Great Saltpetre Cave Great Saltpetre Cave PreservePreserve

The Great Saltpetre Preserve, owned by the The Great Saltpetre Preserve, owned by the Rockcastle Karst Conservancy, is the home of Rockcastle Karst Conservancy, is the home of a historic limestone cave once mined for a historic limestone cave once mined for saltpeter. saltpeter.

The preserve is now managed for historical The preserve is now managed for historical purposes by representatives of the Greater purposes by representatives of the Greater Cincinnati Grotto, the Dayton Underground Cincinnati Grotto, the Dayton Underground Grotto and the Blue Grass Grotto. Grotto and the Blue Grass Grotto.

The grounds consist of a natural preserve of The grounds consist of a natural preserve of mostly pasture and woodlands in an attempt mostly pasture and woodlands in an attempt to maintain a part of Kentucky's natural to maintain a part of Kentucky's natural beauty for generations to come. beauty for generations to come.

A Kentucky non-profit organization dedicated to the education and  preservation of caves and karst in the Rockcastle County, Kentucky region.

Blue Grass GrottoBlue Grass Grotto

Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky

The Blue Grass Grotto is a non-profit organization with The Blue Grass Grotto is a non-profit organization with two purposes.two purposes.

– The scientific purpose of the BGG is to explore, The scientific purpose of the BGG is to explore, study, and map caves and karst features in study, and map caves and karst features in Kentucky.Kentucky.

– The educational purpose of the BGG is to provide a The educational purpose of the BGG is to provide a source of information to its members and citizens source of information to its members and citizens on cave history, cave conservation, and safe on cave history, cave conservation, and safe caving practices.caving practices.

The Dayton The Dayton Underground GrottoUnderground Grotto Dayton’s caving club.Dayton’s caving club. Currently 165 members.Currently 165 members. Annual membership is $15.Annual membership is $15. Meetings are the 2Meetings are the 2ndnd Sunday of the month in Sunday of the month in

Beavercreek.Beavercreek. Monthly newsletter is the “Carbide Courier”.Monthly newsletter is the “Carbide Courier”. Cave trips to KY, IN, WV, TN, AL or GA.Cave trips to KY, IN, WV, TN, AL or GA. Annual event called the “Wormfest”.Annual event called the “Wormfest”. Maintains a library, cave gear, survey equipment Maintains a library, cave gear, survey equipment

that can be borrowed.that can be borrowed. Members are active in exploration, surveying, Members are active in exploration, surveying,

conservation, rescue training, photography and conservation, rescue training, photography and vertical caving.vertical caving.

Greater Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati GrottoGrotto

The Greater Cincinnati Grotto is one of more The Greater Cincinnati Grotto is one of more than 162 local chapters of the National than 162 local chapters of the National Speleological Society (NSS) spread Speleological Society (NSS) spread throughout the country. It’s purpose is to throughout the country. It’s purpose is to advance the study, conservation, exploration advance the study, conservation, exploration and knowledge of cavesand knowledge of caves

Caver’s CreedCaver’s Creed

Take nothing but pictures.Take nothing but pictures.

Leave nothing but footprints.Leave nothing but footprints.

Kill nothing but time.Kill nothing but time.