spelunk
Enter underground chambers
Spelunk is a back-formation from spelunker, meaning to explore caves as a recreational activity.
The word has a playful, slightly whimsical quality that matches the hobby's adventurous appeal: We spent the weekend spelunking in Kentucky.
Serious cavers sometimes prefer "caving" as the more technical term.
Large natural underground chamber
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
- stalactiteHanging cave mineral deposit
- stalagmiteUpward-growing cave deposit
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
karst · sinkhole · flowstone · column · drapery · passage · crawlway · chimney
Organized exploratory journey
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- discoveryAct of finding something
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- descentDownward slope or lineage
subterranean · darkness · challenge · thrill · expedition · caver · speleologist · trip
Forward-facing vehicle light
- helmetProtective head covering
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- harnessStraps controlling an animal
- carabinerSpring-gated metal link
ascender · descender · wetsuit · kneepads · gloves · boots · pack · flashlight
Search or investigate thoroughly
- descendMove to lower position
- discoverFind something unknown
- navigateGuide through terrain
- traverseMove across an area
survey · probe · venture · rappel · crawl · squeeze · map · document
Flying mammal or sports club
- cavefishEyeless aquatic cave dweller
- cave cricketLong-legged subterranean insect
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- cave spiderUnderground-dwelling eight-legged creature
guano · colony · roost · hibernation · ecosystem · blind · adapted
cavern
Large natural underground chamber
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
- stalactiteHanging cave mineral deposit
- stalagmiteUpward-growing cave deposit
chamber · karst · sinkhole · flowstone · column · drapery · passage · crawlway · chimney · squeeze
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- discoveryAct of finding something
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
descent · subterranean · darkness · challenge · thrill · expedition · caver · speleologist · trip · survey
headlamp
Forward-facing vehicle light
carabiner · ascender · descender · wetsuit · kneepads · gloves · boots · pack · flashlight · ladder
delve
Search or investigate thoroughly
traverse · survey · probe · venture · rappel · crawl · squeeze · map · document · photograph
bat
Flying mammal or sports club
- cavefishEyeless aquatic cave dweller
- cave cricketLong-legged subterranean insect
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
cave spider · guano · colony · roost · hibernation · ecosystem · blind · adapted
spelunkmountaineer
Professional summit climber
climb · ascend · mountain climb · summit · scale