Caving is an adventure sport. However you don't have to be super fit or an adrenalin junkie like in rock-climbing. It's different because it does not tempt danger or pursue fear, preferring to avoid these as much as possible. Caving is about exploring underground, observing and experiencing a unique environment. There are some prerequisites, alas, before you can start (read on)! Caving is all about variety, and some of it getting yourself wet, climbing up and down ropes and wire ladders and then at the end of it, getting dressed and heading off to the pub 'till the early hours. The important criterion for being a caver is to be prepared to have a lot of fun. Whether you seek this fun in the thrill of a cave, the joy of the pub, or the basic craic that goes on during a trip, is up to you.
Although each and every cave is unique in structure and appearance, there are two main types of caving trip: horizontal trips where you'll spend most of your time walking, crouching and crawling; and Vertical trips, where you'll be shown how to safely negotiate vertical sections of caves, from scrambling down small climbs to abseiling into deep potholes! Caves are truly spectacular and incredibly beautiful places. The natural erosion of rock by coursing waters and the delicate crystalline formations are complex works of nature. Cavers need to be aware of the fragility of the environment and the need to preserve it. It is accepted practice that no formations are touched or harmed in any way. It is for this reason that caving is the most conservationally aware of any adventure sport. On our photos page, you'll find some pictures of caves and caving.
Caves are dark, in Ireland they are usually wet, and the rock in them is very hard. To combat these uninhabitable features, cavers have a set of equipment which is absolutely essential. Firstly you need a light. This light must be attachable to your helmet which protects your head from the hard rock. In a wet cave a wet-suit is necessary. A mars bar is often the trusty companion of a caver, for part of his/her journey anyhow. A vertical cave (pothole) requires more sophisticated equipment, knowledge and experience of SRT(Single Rope Technique), and a rope usually comes in handy.
In Ireland there are two major caving regions, in Counties Clare (the Burren) and Fermanagh/Cavan. One of the nice aspects about caving in Ireland is that there still remains plenty of other caves yet to be discovered. There are many University clubs around Ireland; in Dublin, Maynooth, Limerick, Galway and Belfast. There are also hundreds of individuals who all cave together and form the Speleological Union of Ireland (SUI) and The Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO) (for more information see the SUICRO web site).
Needless to say there are a few items to bring on this weekend that you wouldn't bring on other weekends.
The following is a list of the things to bring if you can get your hands on them.
Minimum for Above Ground.
Minimum for Underground.
These are a recommended minimum that you should try to have. The idea is to have a layer or two of clothes
which are warm, non-restrictive and not too absorbent. Fleece is a great material, as it has all these properties,
and stays warm when wet. This is then covered with a protective outer layer, which can be a pair of overalls or
a set of cheap waterproofs. Wellies are perfect footwear (the club has a good few spare pairs), and a couple of
pairs of socks and t-shirts complete the setup.
Optimum for Underground
The Club has a few spares of these items lying around, but definitely not enough for everyone, and so you should not
depend on being given any of them...
An Important point on clothes!
Cave mud is notoriously hard to get out and cave rocks are very hard on clothes. So don't wear your best looking
clothes or your sisters best wetsuit unless you are prepared for the tears and recrimination when you get back
home again.
So, you have only two things to remember if you are going on a trip with us.