Lake District Sports - Lake District Caving

Caving can vary from a walk and a crawl in the dark to the most extreme form of diving. Many activity providers will arrange a fascinating introductory trip for beginners, safeguarded by qualified cave leaders or instructors.

Lake District Caving Operators

Ascent Training, Dallam Trainig & Education Centre, High Points, Lanehead Outdoor Centre, Pleasure in Leisure Ltd

Caving

Caving is the recreational sport of exploring caves. Speleology is the scientific study of caves and the cave environment.

The challenges of the sport depend on the cave being visited, but often include the negotiation of pitches, squeezes, and water. Climbing or crawling is often necessary, and ropes are used extensively.

Caving is often undertaken for the enjoyment of the activity or for physical exercise, but original exploration, or physical or biological science is an important goal for many cavers. Virgin cave systems comprise some of the last unexplored regions on Earth and much effort is put into trying to locate and enter them. In well-explored regions (such as most first-world countries), the most accessible caves have already been explored, and gaining new caves often requires digging or diving.

Caves have been explored out of necessity for thousands of years, but only in the last century or two has the activity become a sport. In recent decades caving has changed considerably due to the availability of modern protective wear and equipment. It has recently come to be known as an "extreme sport" by some (though not commonly considered as such by its practitioners).

Many of the skills of caving can also be used in the sports of mine exploration and urban exploration.

Caving Equipment | Caving Safety