"My favorite sport for sure! You dont have to be a super athelete (I failed gym class) there are many levels to try"
How I did it: I started spelunking as a teen, my family traveled a fair amount, road trips mostly.and caves diving was always a favorite cheap thrill of mine. My absolute favorite easy one was the lost sea, its a large cave with the worlds LARGEST underground lake, covering 4 acres. There is a glass bottom boat to view the lake from, well they call it a boat, I think dingy is a more apt name and dont believe the website, it is not that well lit I think they must have used a heavy flash in those photographs. The guides all used flashlights) Its well marked and only 3/4 of a mile round trip, but very steep on the way back. There are bats in most of the caves I have been in, but most well traversed caves are not inundated with them.
Lessons & tips: I recomend show caves for beginers. They are well guided, have even floors and are lit. Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee is a very easy one and a good introduction to spelunking. Its 32 miles of constant cave, the second largest in the US.
If you enjoyed that then move onto some of the less easy caves, a lot of the easy caves have level pathways but also have sperate parts for the more adventuresome, you will have to book ahead and be prepared to get philthy and crawl into spaces you never thought a human being could fit through. You can even work your way up to caves where you have to repell (I'm hoping to get more into that this summer, or next)
- Always go with a knowledgable guide and start out with group tours
- Ware appropraite footware
- Caves tend to stay a constant temperature and humidity level. I have go spelunking at different times of the year and most caves I have been in hover just between th 50 and 60 degree mark with 99% humidity. Dont overdress you'll be moving around and get warm
- Eat a good meal before you go, and stay hydrated
May 06, 04:01PM PDT
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