Caving : potholing: spelunking Info and trivia

Caving is the recreational hobby of exploring caves. Speleology is the scientific study of caves and the cave environment.

The challenges of the hobby depend on the cave being visited, but often include the negotiation of pitches, squeezes, and water. Climbing or crawling is often necessary, and ropes are used extensively.

Caving is often undertaken for enjoyment of the activity or for physical exercise, but original exploration, or physical or biological science is important for many cavers. Virgin cave systems comprise some of the last unexplored regions on Earth and much effort is put into trying to locate and enter them. In well explored regions, the most accessible caves have already been explored, gaining access to new caves often requires digging or diving.

Caves have been explored out of necessity for thousands of years, but only in the last century or two has the activity developed into a sophisticated, athletic pastime. In recent decades caving has changed considerably due to the availability of modern protective wear and equipment. It is known as an extreme sport by some.

A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter. Some people suggest that the term 'cave' should only apply to cavities that have some part which does not receive daylight; however, in popular usage, the term includes smaller spaces like sea caves, rock shelters and grottos.
Speleology is the science of exploration and study of caves. Exploring a cave for recreation or science may be called caving , potholing , or occasionally spelunking.

Many of the skills of caving can also be used in nature activities of mine exploration and urban exploration.
Many cave environments are very fragile, since water that flows through a cave eventually comes out in streams and rivers, any pollution may ultimately end up in someone's drinking water, and can even seriously affect the surface environment, as well.

Cave dwelling species are also very fragile, and often, a particular species found in a cave may live within that cave alone, and be found nowhere else in the world. Cave-dwelling species are accustomed to a near-constant climate of temperature and humidity, and any disturbance can be disruptive to the species life cycles. Though cave wildlife may not always be immediately visible, it is typically nonetheless present in most caves.

The British Caving Association is the governing body for underground exploration in the UK. It represents all those persons and groups with a genuine interest in caves, karst and associated phenomena, whether from a strictly sporting viewpoint, a scientific viewpoint, or a combination of both. The British Cave Research Association is a constituent body of the British Caving Association and promotes the study of caves and associated phenomena. The association encourages original exploration, collects and publishes speleological information, and education events.

The National Speleological Society (NSS) is a national non profit membership organization formed in 1941 with the purpose to promote interest in and to advance in any and all ways the study and science of speleology, the protection of caves and their natural contents, and to promote fellowship among those interested therein. Most of the Society's approximately 12,000 members belong to local chapters known as grottos. The Society maintains an active online discussion forum to discuss caving. Anyone interested in caving or caves is invited to participate.

The Cave Research Foundation (CRF) is an American private, non-profit group dedicated to the exploration, research, and conservation of caves.

Caves can be dangerous places; hypothermia, falling, flooding, and physical exhaustion are the main risks. Rescue from underground is difficult and time consuming, and requires special skills, training, and equipment. Full-scale cave rescues often involve the efforts of dozens of rescue workers, who are put in jeopardy in effecting the rescue.

http://www.british-caving.org.uk/ The British Caving Association
http://www.caves.org/ The National Speleological Society NSS
Australian Speleological Federation http://www.caves.org.au/
British Cave Research Association (UK) http://bcra.org.uk/
British Caving Association (UK) http://british-caving.org.uk/
Speleo Nederland (Netherlands) http://www.speleo.nl/
Speleological Federation of the European Union http://www.fsue.org/
Speleological Union of Ireland & Irish Cave Rescue Organisation http://www.cavingireland.org/
Swiss Society of Speleology (SSS/SGH) http://www.speleo.ch/
Worldwide Caving News (WCN) http://www.zenas.gr/WCN

mammoth cave - brecon beacons - pothole