Cave Exploration: A Guide for Beginners

The first thing you notice in a cave, after the darkness and the earthy aroma, is the quiet. Limestone makes for strange acoustics. Shouts and excited chatter are muffled by thick rock walls, yet in another part of the cave, a drop of water echoes like a geyser throughout small passages. It's one of the paradoxes of exploring the underground world; such a muddy, dirty place should not harbor extraordinarily beautiful formations, but there they are, around every corner, and despite the number of caves in the U.S. (hundreds of thousands, found in all 50 states) few people have visited a wild cave.

And for good reason: spelunking - the sport of cave exploring - is a dangerous, gear-intensive, logistically-exacting activity. But nowhere else on earth, with the exception of the deepest parts of the ocean, will you ever have the chance to explore a place where few or maybe no one has ever been before. You will be awed by the scenery, physically challenged by the terrain, and instilled with an overwhelming sense of wonder and adventure.

So how does one begin caving? With the exception of tourist caves, there are no signs that say "cave here." Most wild caves are on private property and permission is needed to gain entrance. And once there, how do you navigate the labyrinth of passages and pits? What do you take for lighting and what should you wear?

Go with an experienced caver, one who follows the safety rules and wears protective gear such as a helmet, gloves and carries a backpack full of "just in case" supplies. Or find a local caving club in your community. Many cities, even those hours away from cave areas, have cave clubs, known as "grottoes." Attend a few meetings, get to know the people and learn about the sport, and then prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Or contact the National Speleological Society at caves.org to find the closest grotto.

What To Expect