cavers
Subterranean passage enthusiasts
Cavers are people who explore caves, either recreationally or scientifically.
The activity is also called spelunking or potholing (British).
The cavers rappelled into the limestone chamber.
Cavers range from weekend hobbyists to serious explorers who map underground systems and study cave geology.
Mineral deposits hanging downward
- stalagmitesUpward-growing cave formations
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- karstEroded soluble rock terrain
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
flowstone · dripstone · formations · crystals · gypsum · dolomite · columns · soda straws
Beneath earth's surface
- darknessTotal absence of light
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- batsFlying nocturnal mammals
- cavefishEyeless aquatic cave dweller
guano · pools · streams · sumps · siphons · sinkholes · fissures · crawlways
Forward-facing vehicle lights
- helmetsProtective head coverings
- ropesBraided flexible cords
- harnessesCaptures and directs energy
- ascendersUpward-extending letter strokes
descenders · carabiners · wetsuits · kneepads · gloves · boots · overalls · rigging
Exploring caves recreationally
- expeditionsOrganized journeys for exploration
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- discoveryAct of finding something
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
surveying · navigation · passages · tunnels · routes · descent · ascent · penetration
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- squeezesApplies compressing force
- coldLow temperature state
- wetSaturated with liquid
muddy · exhaustion · navigation · flooding · hypothermia · rockfall · getting lost · claustrophobia
stalactites
Mineral deposits hanging downward
- stalagmitesUpward-growing cave formations
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- karstEroded soluble rock terrain
calcite · flowstone · dripstone · formations · crystals · gypsum · dolomite · columns · soda straws · travertine
subterranean
Beneath earth's surface
cavefish · guano · pools · streams · sumps · siphons · sinkholes · fissures · crawlways · pitches
headlamps
Forward-facing vehicle lights
ascenders · descenders · carabiners · wetsuits · kneepads · gloves · boots · overalls · rigging · anchors
spelunking
Exploring caves recreationally
- expeditionsOrganized journeys for exploration
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- discoveryAct of finding something
mapping · surveying · navigation · passages · tunnels · routes · descent · ascent · penetration · venturing
tight spaces
wet · muddy · exhaustion · navigation · flooding · hypothermia · rockfall · getting lost · claustrophobia · endurance
- caversspelunker, spelunkers, potholer, potholers, speleologist
- cavescavern, caves, caverns, grotto, grottos
caversmountaineers
High-altitude peak scalers
climbers · mountain climbers · alpinists · rock climbers · summiteers
caverssailors
Maritime vessel crew members
skydivers · paragliders · hang gliders · pilots · aviators
- cave inCollapse or yield
- caved inCollapsed or capitulated
- cave paintingPrehistoric art on stone
- man cavePrivate male hangout space
- cave diversUnderwater cavern explorers
- cave formationsMineral structures in caverns