Exploring Caves: I like going through something like Howe Caverns in NY - elevator, steps, guard rails, and a guide. I've watched some spelunking videos on YouTube, and they don't...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like going through something like Howe Caverns in NY - elevator, steps, guard rails, and a guide. I've watched some spelunking videos on YouTube, and they don't always have a happy ending.

In a couple of cases, the caves were 6,000 and 7,000 feet deep. To enter them, you had to climb mountains that were 6,000 and 7,000 feet high. If you managed to reach the bottoms of these caves, you were basically at ground level - exactly where you started. The sad part is that not everyone makes it out alive. If I were into this type of thing, I'd rather start at ground level and go down.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=exploring+caves+gone+wrong

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

not my thing either...................wonderful caves though. thanks

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Caves below ground are more dangerous as they tend to fill up in a flash flood. I had explored a few caves and luckily the only problem we had encountered were faulty flashlights. Can't say i like or don't like caves. They are just different. Definitely not for those who fear the dark and claustrophobic.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

Wallen wrote:

Caves below ground are more dangerous as they tend to fill up in a flash flood. I had explored a few caves and luckily the only problem we had encountered were faulty flashlights. Can't say i like or don't like caves. They are just different. Definitely not for those who fear the dark and claustrophobic.

I cannot understand how some people explore caves, and crawl through tiny openings, and through puddles. UGH

pendennis

Being a native of Kentucky, I've visited Mammoth Cave a number of times. I believe there are over 400 miles of caves in the system, although visitors are limited to very little exploration. As of now, I don't believe all the caves have been discovered.

The last time I visited, the guide told us an interesting story about some explorers who entered the cave system several miles away at a previously unmarked entrance. They explored for several days, at times using a small boat to navigate. They finally got to a place where the only option was climbing. They climbed up a number of feet, and found a handrail. Seems their exploration led into a previous tour area.

Perhaps the most interesting point, was when we entered a large "room". It was well-lit, and we were asked to stand in the middle. The rangers turned off the lights, and we were asked to stand still, and not chat. In a few minutes, you could actually hear your own heart beat. The room was so dark...

Laramie Loc: Tempe

In college in Flagstaff, AZ a friend of a friend took me and a couple others to what he called Onyx cave, outside Tucson. We all had battery powered headlamps, but once inside my headlamp died. I spent 8 wonderful hours in the cave with a small, plastic flashlight either in my hands or held between my teeth. What a fun day!
If you are in Arizona I can highly recommend Kartchner Caverns State Park. The guides say that in a part of the cave you don't visit there is a 'soda straw' nine foot long. Soda straws are the very beginnings of stalactites.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

dancers wrote:

I cannot understand how some people explore caves, and crawl through tiny openings, and through puddles. UGH

It depends on the cave. Some are big enough to pass a whole bus thru so no crawling needed, and if there are crawling spots, how daring one wants to be. It's just another adventure to experience.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wallen wrote:

Caves below ground are more dangerous as they tend to fill up in a flash flood. I had explored a few caves and luckily the only problem we had encountered were faulty flashlights. Can't say i like or don't like caves. They are just different. Definitely not for those who fear the dark and claustrophobic.

Yes! Water! Flash floods have caused cavers major problems. Aside from the tight conditions, falling rocks have caused problems for cavers. Since they are wearing helmets for protection, why are they wearing plastic helmets? An expert caver in Germany had his helmet split by a falling rock. Over 700 cavers showed up for the lengthy rescue. It took him months to recover from his brain injury.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Once upon a time, four of us (two guys and two gals) went to a secluded little cave in the deep woods. We had to go down a sinkhole that someone had thrown a tree into to get to the entrance of the cave. It was a fun time for all climbing down the tree and then exploring the cave. Fun until it was time to get out, that is.

One of the gals was far from athletic and lacked body strength. She could not make it up the tree and we had no way to get her out on her own. I was below her pushing and prodding and letting her rest on my shoulders while my buddy was helping her from above. To make matters worse, we were all muddy from crawling through the cave. It was near dark by the time we got her out and we were physically and mentally exhausted.

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

I was in Chiang Rai, Thailand when that soccer team was trapped. Watched the harrowing rescue everyday on TV. The coach should have known better than go into that cave during the rainy season. Thankfully the team and coach were rescued although one of the Thai drivers died.

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Dived some caves in Florida and Mexico under water. NO Claustrophobics allowed !!! Went through some passages so small you had to take off your dive gear to pas through. FUN as long you are ok in SMALL places. Very beautiful in places.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

dancers wrote:

I cannot understand how some people explore caves, and crawl through tiny openings, and through puddles. UGH

Not to mention being covered with bat dung if you crawl into the wrong opening and rouse a bunch of sleeping bats.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

Alafoto wrote:

Not to mention being covered with bat dung if you crawl into the wrong opening and rouse a bunch of sleeping bats.

"NOT to mention that!!!"

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

14kphotog wrote:

Dived some caves in Florida and Mexico under water. NO Claustrophobics allowed !!! Went through some passages so small you had to take off your dive gear to pas through. FUN as long you are ok in SMALL places. Very beautiful in places.

I never had any interest in cave diving. It was all open water for me. When I went up, I wanted to see sky.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Laramie wrote:

In college in Flagstaff, AZ a friend of a friend t... (show quote)

I visited Karchner Caverns, too, near Tucson. Quite an interesting experience for a relatively small cave system. I also visited Collosal Cave near Tucson. Can't recommend it. Privately owned, very kitschy, lots of vandalized features. Don't waste your time or money.

If you're in South Dakota, Wind and Jewel caves are worth visiting. Small but well-protected.