The Cave Environment

Most caves tend to hold mean annual temperature of the region in which they are located. In the Virginias and Mid-Atlantic states this is about 54 degrees F. They maintain this temperature year-round with little variation from summer to winter. Most caves in this part of the country are rather wet, usually running around 100% humidity with standing and dripping water and very often streams. Even without much standing water, floors and walls are often damp and muddy. Given these two factors to consider, hypothermia is a real danger if certain precautions are not taken.

Caves are dark. They are utterly without light except what a caver brings in with him. At least three light sources per person are required. The terrain in a cave can be very treacherous. It can range from a smooth, level-floored passage of walking height to tight crawlways to deep pits or anything in between. There are piles of loose rocks and boulders called breakdown, many different types of mineral formations and irregular walls and ceilings.

One must be very careful when traveling underground as there are many hazards to watch out for. Certain techniques for traveling in caves are desirable to learn. Beginners should always go with experienced cavers until they have learned these techniques and rules for safe caving.

Another important point that cannot be stressed enough is conservation. A cave is a very sensitive environment with an ecological system all its own. An ecosystem that is very easily disturbed. If you look carefully you can see evidence of a number of unique life forms. Exercise care around them. For example, a hibernating bat, if disturbed and made to fly around the cave, can lose enough stored body fat that it may not survive the winter. Do not break or damage cave formations as they can not regenerate easily, often taking hundreds of years to grow just a few inches. A six-inch stalactite, if broken off, will not regrow during your lifetime. When traveling through a cave it is a good idea to stay along a path if possible as this reduces the environmental impact on the cave.

The National Speleological Society has a motto that sums up this philosophy:

"Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but footprints; Kill nothing but time."

Jag K. Sperry NISS 2650S
 
 

Basic Caving Rules

1. Never cave alone. Cave in a group of four or more. Three a bare minimum. With four, if one person pets hurt, someone can stay with them while two go for help.
2. Always tell someone where you are going and any possible alternate destinations. Also tell them the time you plan to return. If you should get lost or injured, rescue personnel will have an idea of where to start looking.
3. Always respect landowners' rights and rules. Always obtain permission to enter a cave, cross someone's property, or park on someone's property. When on someone else's land, never litter, dump carbide or make excessive noise. Don't come and go at late hours and be sure to leave gates and fences as you find them. Failure to comply with these rules has caused more caves to be closed than anything else.
4. Never try foolhardy stunts to show off or have thrills. You are in a potentially hostile environment and a mishap can result in injury or death.
5. Be sure you are properly equipped and trained for the type of cave you are entering.
6. If you are a beginner, go with experienced cavers until you get some experience and training yourself.
7. Never disturb or harm any animals you may find in a cave. Never break or damage any cave formations. You would be damaging a fragile environment. Besides some states have cave protection laws on the books and you could be fined or jailed if prosecuted.
8. Never leave trash or spent carbide in a cave or point or carve on the walls or formations. Pack out anything you bring in. Do not try to collect or remove from a cave any life forms, formations or archeological artifacts. There are laws against this.
9. When caving, try to follow a path through the cave to avoid trampling down or damaging any more than necessary.
10. Stay in single file and do not climb all over the place.
11. When moving through the cave look behind you frequently to see what the passage looks like from the opposite direction. This will help you in finding your way back out and eliminate confusion. The cave will look different going in than it does when you are going out.
12. Do not try to run ahead and cause slower cavers who may not be in as good a shape as you to have to hurry along to keep up. This will cause them to get too tired to enjoy the trip and possibly cause the trip to be cut short for everyone. Take your time and enjoy the sights. A caving party should move only as fast as its slowest member.
13. Do not overextend yourself. If you feel like you are getting tired, tell the trip leader and others. There is no shame in admitting your limitations. If you try to be macho and keep going you could literally become a burden on your fellow cavers as they might end up having to help you out of the cave or possibly have a rescue mounted.
14. Try to use a buddy system. If cavers are following you, frequently turn around and check on them to see that they are doing alright. Don't get too for ahead. In traversing obstacles they may need help finding foot and handholds. Caving is a team effort. A caver's life may depend on the other members of his party.
15. If possible, try to get a map of the cave that you will be exploring.