Essential Caving Gear
by Nathaniel Bluedorn, Copyright September 7, 2006, all rights reserved. 480 views
The most difficult thing for new cavers is overcoming their fear of tight spaces. I overcame my fear when a friend went through a tight spot and exclaimed about the interesting formations on the other side. Curiosity overcame claustrophobia.
Another difficult thing is finding gear. This seems more difficult than it really is. All the caving gear listed below can be purchased inexpensively at farm supply stores and sporting goods stores. More expensive but durable gear can be purchased from these online retailers who service the caving community.
Essential Caving Gear
* Three sources of light. A source of light is anything with which you’d be willing to navigate a cave. If one flashlight or headlamp goes out, you need backups. Headlamps are very useful because they free up both your hands. You can get a good LED headlamp at most sporting goods stores.
* Extra batteries. If you plan to be in the cave more than two hours, it is best to bring backup batteries. You may choose to stay in the cave longer than you planed and batteries come in handy.
* Safety helmet with a chinstrap. We may be crawling though some spots and we often hit our head against the cave ceiling. If you’ve ever stood up and hit your head against a sharp stalagmite poking down at you, you’d appreciate how important a helmet is. The chinstrap is needed to keep the helmet on your head if you trip. Many building supply stores and farm stores sell construction helmets that work well. Bicycle helmets also work. Helmets designed for adventure sports can be more comfortable and durable, but they are expensive.
* Boots or shoes with tread and ankle support. Good tread is needed to keep you from slipping on wet surfaces. Ankle support means that the shoe or boot protects the area of your Achilles tendon. This will protect your ankle if you step into a crack and it will keep your feet from getting tired. Your feet may get wet.
* Gloves. Sometimes our hands get muddy or wet, and it’s nice to keep them clean. Also, gloves protect the stalagmites and stalactites from the oils on your hands. If you touch a cave formation, the oils can cause it to change shape over many years. We want to preserve cave formations for future generations to enjoy.
* Light jacket or overalls. You will be getting dirty, possibly very dirty. Caves are about 55 degrees year round with 100% humidity, so your cloths need to be light and warm, but not too warm. Shorts aren’t warm enough and you will get your knees scratched up.
* Smile.
Non-Essential Caving Gear
* Kneepads. This is optional. Some caves require a lot of crawling over gravel and stones. This can be hard on your knees. Kneepads are a comfort issue when exploring large caves. They are not necessary.
* Hip pack or backpack. You may wish to carry food and water and backup batteries in a small backpack. These need to be durable because you may be dragging them over rocks and in mud.
Online Caving Gear Suppliers
* http://www.karstsports.com
* http://www.caves.org/imo/frames1.htm
If you want advice on how to purchase inexpensive equipment, contact Nathaniel Bluedorn (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). He loves giving advice.
Comments
1 • Ralph • September 10, 2008 • 10:02 AM
Let’s go!
2 • Mandy M. • September 21, 2008 • 7:50 PM
Kelli, I’m assuming you wrote this? Just wanted you to know, at this point in my life, this is very encouraging to me. Thanks for sharing. It’s amazing how God can worth through a simple blog post.
3 • Johannah Stanford • September 24, 2008 • 3:00 PM
The quality of this video looked good to me, and it didn’t take hardly any time to download on our computer. Did you get more climbing equipment? 
4 • Kristen • October 04, 2008 • 3:39 PM
Sounds like tons of fun. 
Ryan took me rock climbing indoors for the first time a couple weeks ago and I loved it! (I’m his sister.)
Colorado looks and sounds like a very fun place.
5 • Mandy M. • October 04, 2008 • 5:49 PM
Great post Heidi! You sure are brave. I’m glad you had such a great time!
6 • Nate • October 13, 2008 • 5:23 PM
Thats awesome….
Sounds like something I would do. :p
7 • Heidi Reiman • October 20, 2008 • 4:47 PM
Hans, You poor thing. I’m sorry you couldn’t get a wi-fi connection. By the way what is a wi-fi?
Is it like wiffer cookies with fine milk?
8 • Kelli • October 29, 2008 • 8:03 AM
Oh sheesh, Nathaniel, you’re hilerious! That was really roughing it.
9 • Nathan Nasby • November 04, 2008 • 11:28 AM
If you want a really creepy expirience stay at the Imperial Hotel in London! Wow, we had blood on the walls and in the sheets in our room. The Window was broken, and I’m not even going to mention the shared bathrooms!!!!
10 • Anna • November 05, 2008 • 8:01 PM
Haha! Nathan, this is just the beginning… Soon you’ll be cool with using towels unwashed from the last occupant, sleeping on bedbug-ridden mattresses, and, well, haha!
11 • Heidi R. • November 17, 2008 • 10:00 AM
Great story.
12 • A • November 17, 2008 • 7:01 PM
I just watched this a few days ago (was looking up vids of Marrakesh and then followed the rabbit trail) and thought about you guys… Odd, but fitting, to see it here as well!
13 • Kristin C. • November 17, 2008 • 10:13 PM
Haha!!! That is hilarious!!! :-D
14 • Debbie • November 25, 2008 • 10:27 PM
I have a problem with getting cave crickets in my basement and hate them. I don’t think I want to be their friend. But neat story on your adventure. God Bless!
Debbie
15 • Laura • November 29, 2008 • 12:49 AM
Wow! :D
16 • Estin • November 30, 2008 • 8:58 PM
That’s crazy.
17 • Trish • December 04, 2008 • 12:11 PM
Um…Ew. That is SOOO disgusting.
18 • Kristen B. • December 07, 2008 • 6:52 PM
You are a great writer, Kelli.
19 • Heidi R. • December 09, 2008 • 11:45 PM
Thanks, so are you.
20 • Heidi R. • December 09, 2008 • 11:46 PM
Oh, and I love your pics.
21 • Quentin Cooper • December 18, 2008 • 7:58 AM
This seems to have been written by people who have caved only once in their life or read about it in an armchair. What about the main thing warm clothes (be it a wetsuit or neo-fleece). Gloves completely unimportant as I have caved without them for 20 years and never wished I’d brought them. What about a survey of the cave? Going with someone experienced? Leaving a CALL OUT? that not feature in your essentials? Incase people ahave an accident in a cave then nobody knows about it….come on guys….
22 • Blue (Royal) • May 06, 2009 • 11:07 PM
Nice film guys. The water side looked like fun. I love a good natural water slide. Good job with not making it look to rigged.
23 • Royal Magnell • May 06, 2009 • 11:57 PM
That was fun… now we run so the cops don’t catch us!
24 • Rachel • May 19, 2009 • 9:36 PM
Hey! Hoping you get this soon. Just wondered what kind of camera, flash, etc. was used for these pictures. Also how the cameras were kept dry and clay free. Thanks so much!
25 • Beau • August 04, 2009 • 12:16 AM
Enjoyed it. I am curious if this is the Wilder cave in Pelham, AL?
26 • Dannity Kane • February 27, 2010 • 2:06 AM
Give me a little of that and I’d feel like a king.
27 • Stephen Nasby • May 28, 2010 • 9:09 AM
Good job.
28 • Stephen Nasby • September 02, 2010 • 9:58 AM
That looked like quite an adventure, exciting. Swim looked very refreshing. Cool camera, you can even go underwater with it.
29 • Katie Carter • September 18, 2010 • 10:11 PM
It is in Grady County Georgia, between Pelham, and Cairo. It is owned my my aunt. It is very pretty, it is not open to the public because people can’t seem appreciate it without breaking pieces off, and spray painting.