Spelunking (Caving)

Caving is an outdoor activity meant for people that have a love for exploring as well as adventure. There is nothing to take lightly about cave climbing. This requires intense physical activity with proficiency in rock climbing, physical strength, and mobility. People suffering from claustrophobia (fear of enclosed or small spaces) may not want to try this activity. Without taking the proper precautions there are many things that could be dangerous when you are far below the earth's surface.

Some of the necessary and required equipment includes a harness, rope, helmet, gloves, and flashlights. These things are required mostly for safety. When rock climbing in general, it is crucial to ensure that all knots are tied correctly and tightly. Make sure that the rope is tied through both waist loops and tied using a "figure-8-follow-through" knot, then finished with a backup knot. Even under ground, descending is still dangerous and must be done in a safe way. The most important safety equipment used is the helmet. Underground there is no telling when or if dabre will fall or loose rocks which can be hazardous. One last safety tip that is often overlooked is the date of your equipment. You must be very careful as to not use equipment that is out of date. When buying new gear, most sports stores have inspections on all rock climbing gear to ensure that they pass the test of approval.    

There are few popular cave climbing locations in New England. One popular place for both cave climbing and rock climbing is North Conway NH and Franconia Notch NH. Other locations that are very popular for cave climbing include other countries such as New Zealand, Australia and Iceland.