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Caving Spelunking Tour Information & Tips
Enjoying Colorado Caving
There are an astounding number of caves in this country and around the world. Many of these caves are show caves, such as Cave of the Winds. Many show caves offer extended cave spelunking tours. If you are interested in caving, these tours are an excellent place to start. Our cave tours give you a chance to experience spelunking in a safe, controlled environment.
In an effort to preserve caves and their delicate formations, most caves have been gated or hidden. Only experienced cavers who belong to caving organizations are granted entry. For you to gain entry to the caves, you too must get involved with these organizations. Either the National Speleological Society (NSS) or the National Caves Association (NCA) is an excellent place to start. The NSS or NCA can provide you with information on local caving groups or grottos in your area.
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After visiting several caves, you will find that caves vary in difficulty. Some caves are relatively horizontal and require very little vertical or technical work. Other caves have large drops and require a great deal of skill and use of technical equipment. The size of passageways in caves can also pose incredible challenges. Holes can be so small you must breathe out every inch of air from your lungs to force your body through. Whatever skill level you are, there is a cave to accommodate your ability.
Plan, Stay Safe, Preserve the Cave
Planning for a cave spelunking tour can make the difference between a safe trip and a disastrous one.
1. Obtain permission before entering a cave. Check with the owner of the land or with the agency that controls the land. There are Bureau of Land Management and National Forest offices located within most parks.
2. Tell someone where you are going. Make sure a responsible person knows where you are going and when you plan to return.
3. Always keep a minimum group size of three people. In the event of an injury, one caver can stay to aid the victim while the other goes for help. Caving also depends heavily on the buddy system. With three or more people, it is much easier to navigate and negotiate a cave.
4. Always carry three different sources of light: a flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs, cylume light stick, and a candle with matches. You should also have a helmet with a chin strap, a mounted electric lamp, sturdy boots, warm clothing (in layers), and a small side pack with the extra sources of light, water, a high-energy snack and a little food, and a basic first aid kit.
5. Know the cavers in your group! Find out how experienced they are, if they have any medical problems, fears, or phobias such as heights or tight spaces.
6. Make sure you and everyone else knows the cave. Take a map, if at all possible. It is important to know the hazards and difficulty of the cave. Also, it is important that you know the location of very fragile areas or formations. A caver may damage a formation or evidence of ancient creatures without even knowing it.
7. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay close attention to the trail on the way into the cave. Once inside the cave, take note of landmarks. Pick out defining characteristics of a rock or formation. Always look behind you as you are caving. The cave will look very different on your way out!
8. Make sure everyone has the proper safety equipment. Check the working order of all your gear.
9. Practice cave conservation. Make sure everyone in your group knows how to act and how to take care of caves.
10. Don't overdo the trip. It is very easy to lose track of time in a cave. As appealing and exciting as it can be to have more passage to explore, always remember you still have to get out of the cave and back to the car.
Caving Links of Interest
The world of caving is deep and far-reaching. If you’d like more information on caving, specific caves, or caving groups, we suggest the following sites:
National Speleological Society
National Caves Association
Williams Canyon Project
Cave Rescue
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