Hello all. I been watching cave exploring videos like for a year now since my friend introduced it to me.

I was initially claustrophobic Watching the Videos. One was of the nuttyputty cave and the taiwan 13 kids struck tragedy. But now after watching many successful cave experiences videos I find it exciting and thrilling.

I am looking for some easy level caves to be explored in India with someone who has done cave exploration before which are easy and noy squeezy since its my first time exploring.

Also I am not sure what all safety equipment we need so please drop some suggestions. Few things for safety I have in mind is carrying a rope for us to not get lost and another is carrying an Airtag with location access to someone outside just in case we are stuck and a walkey talkey.

I’ve been vertical for about a year and I half and I just got my own rope! It’s 150 feet of 11mm static rope.

What is the recommended aftercare? Do I need to wash it or anything after each use? Obviously inspection of damage is a must but I want to minimize any damage or wear and tear

Thanks

I need some recommendations. The knee pads I have are essentially useless and barely worth the effort. The pads are bulky and don’t stay in place and the straps need constant readjusting. It’s an engineering problem, a question of ergonomics.

Anyone have any leads?

So there's a beautiful little cave very close to where I live and it's drawn me in. I'd like to one day in the near future push it to its furthest extremities (only 1,500ft) and the tunnel ascends in elevation rather than descends. It is a dry cave with only one narrow entrance. However the very furthest part (and anecdotally well before that) has been noted as having "bad air". These sections have previously been dug in search of new passages. It sees very little activity and it wouldn't surprise me if nobody has been to the farthest end in decades.

How would I go about reaching the end safely and mitigate this bad air risk as much as I can? I know it's possible because it has been mapped and I'm aware that digging used to occur at the far reaches. Has anyone done this and brought some oxygen cylinders that mountaineers use etc even disposable ones? Possible to clear up the bad air with CO2 scrubbers etc? (it's not a huge area and higher elevated than the entrance) or is this a pipe dream?

(I know this is not recommended ever, but the fact it was previously dug makes me think it's possible to at least reach the end)

Thanks!

Edit: Decided against going past the limits of the lighter test, it’s not worth the risk and not worth the expense of proper apparatus and training for an extra 750ft of cave. Thank you all for your time and informative responses

I have a warmbac oversuit that I'm selling this week, having been used in caves and mines its a little dirty, I usually hose it down and give it a scrub with a brush, can you machine wash them on cold with a little detergent?

Does anyone us a GoPro for taking pictures and videos while caving? What is your experience and what would you suggest?

So I used to cave with my mom when I was a kid. We lived in Corbin KY and had to drive aways on a highway that I cannot remember. Twas a long drive (1-2hrs). After crossing a bridge, we parked in a gravel pull off near a home and took a short walk down to the cave entrance. The cave was a really basic straight shot and it came out on the other side of the road in a ravine. The mouth opened to a rocky riverbed and was almost directly under the bridge. Any idea of a cave that meets this description? It would mean a lot to me to revisit it.

Hi everyone,

I'm living in an area where there is essentially limestone but the nearest caves are 50 minutes away according to grottocenter, so I was wondering if you guys could tell me the signs of possible cave locations ? Should I be searching near some cliffs/ mountain tops/anticlines?

Cover photo: a cave rappels into the Big Room of Cass Cave, WV, on a permitted trip in January 2021.

So excited after much SRT practice to go to Gourdneck and safely navigate my first baby 32' pit entrance. Holy bananas Gourdneck is such a stunning stream passage cave 😍

. supposing a caver could do like on all fours crawling like a dog but not the being born again through a stone vaglna squeezing through an inch at a time type caving. are there still a good number of cave systems out there where someone with this limit on themselves could still do a fair bit of exploring? the hypothetical caver in this instance is me. i could see myself being able to crawl about within reason. but the squeeze i think would make me very uneasy.

Hi going caving tomorrow and it’s known we will be waist deep in water for a small section. i have only caved dry caves so really need some advice on clothing.

the cave is in the UK so water will be cold, that being said am i better to wear regular hiking trousers under my oversuit (not waterproof) like i usually do or go for a pair of shorts as they will dry quicker? i’ll still be wearing wet socks and wellies so keeping feet warm isn’t a problem it’s just the legs i’m not sure about

would appreciate any advice

A couple friends and I are planning to visit Carnegie Cave in Shippensburg, PA this coming Sunday, May 5. Can anyone who knows the cave tell me if it is prone to flooding? Sunday is supposed to be very heavy rain all day, and I know that’s a huge risk in some caves. I’ve really been looking forward to it, but I want to be smart about this too, and will post-pone if there’s a flood risk. Any general advice about the cave is appreciated, as well!

Im bored and want to do an actual caving expedition with someone in the Czech Republic? If you can get inside the cave somehow, I will come along. I dont know single rope technique yet. Im experienced in other aspects of caving.

seems to me like there are a lot of cheaper ascenders, carabiners, and other rated caving equipment, with the exact same safety ratings, certifications, and even identical shape and functionality, but sometimes less than half the price of these more established brands. What are your thoughts on these obscure companies? should their claims be trusted since they are properly certified? Do you have a favorite alternative brand?

Hi, all!

I recently visited New Trout Cave in WV. Toward the back of the cave, there is a VERY dusty, narrow passage that continues between layers of rock for at least 100 feet (if not more). Any idea what this passage leads to? Not sure if anyone here has been in that passage, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask!

I have also heard rumors of a second entrance... anyone know if this is true?

Hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Grotto at the Great Salt Petre Cave Preserve in Rockcastle County, KY

A super fun weekend of camping, going caving (both guided and diy trips), social events, dancing, music, etc.!

https://karstorama.com/

The Indiana Karst Conservancy (IKC) will be hosting an Orientation to Cave Rescue (OCR) class in Fayetteville, IN on the weekend of May 18-19.

Orientation to Cave Rescue is a two-day course offered by the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC). There are no prerequisites or skill check-offs for the class (i.e. all skills levels welcome). This one is highly recommended for those who lead caving trips or find themselves in/around caves often.

Link to registration