What the heck is spelunking?
Spelunking arises from the world of speleology, which is the scientific study of caves and the cave environment. So, if the goal were to explore a cave recreationally, the term caving would be the more appropriate term to use. By the way, potholing is the British term for the sport of cave exploration.
What is the point of spelunking?
Motivation. 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.
What is the difference between spelunking and caving?
As nouns the difference between caving and spelunking is that caving is the recreational sport of exploring caves while spelunking is the practice or hobby of exploring underground caverns; caving.
Is spelunking scary?
Also known as caving, extreme spelunkers specialize in cave exploration. Extreme caving can unearth so many interesting things. Spelunking horror stories will chill you to the bone – serious injury, hypothermia, even death can happen while caving if you’re not careful, or just unlucky.
What do you wear for spelunking?
Comfortable clothing and shoes – Wear comfortable breathable clothes but not loose enough to snag on sharp edges along the way. Long sleeves and pants will protect you from unnecessary cuts and scrapes, while sturdy hiking boots with good traction will protect you from slipping on uneven cave floors.
Why do people go in claustrophobic caves?
To protect the fragile ecosphere inside the caves, you pass through two airlock doors that keep the dry desert air from damaging the caves. These closed doors can trigger claustrophobia for some people. You are only inside these closed spaces for a few seconds.
Is spelunking hard?
The difficulty level and danger, not unlike hiking or rock climbing, varies widely. On one end of the spectrum, there are certainly family-friendly caves that can be walked through leisurely, or even on a guided tour, using a paved path.
Is spelunking a sport?
Spelunking is the recreational sport of exploring caves, but no one really calls it spelunking anymore. Caving, like scuba diving or rock climbing, is as adventurous as you want it to be.