spelunker
Subterranean passage investigator
A spelunker is someone who explores caves as a hobby or recreation.
The word is standard American English, though serious cavers sometimes use it dismissively for amateurs: We're cavers, not spelunkers.
The activity is spelunking: We went spelunking in the Ozarks last summer.
Hanging cave mineral deposit
- stalagmiteUpward-growing cave deposit
- cavernLarge natural underground chamber
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
karst · limestone · flowstone · sinkhole · passage · crawlway · squeeze · pitch
Scientific study of caves
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
- hydrologyScience of water distribution
- mineralogyScience of inorganic solids
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
archaeology · fossilization · ecosystem · biodiversity · cavefish · bat · cave cricket · guano
Forward-facing vehicle light
- helmetProtective head covering
- harnessStraps controlling an animal
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- carabinerSpring-gated metal link
ascender · descender · knee pads · boots · gloves · dry bag · batteries · wetsuit
Below ground or countercultural
- darknessTotal absence of light
- challengeTest of ability
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
risk · claustrophobia · mud · wet · cold · echo · depth · descent
Diagram of correspondences
- surveySystematic data collection
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- passageSegment of text
squeeze · crawl · chimney · rappel · climb · navigate · cartography · documentation
stalactite
Hanging cave mineral deposit
- stalagmiteUpward-growing cave deposit
- cavernLarge natural underground chamber
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
chamber · karst · limestone · flowstone · sinkhole · passage · crawlway · squeeze · pitch · sump
speleology
Scientific study of caves
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
- hydrologyScience of water distribution
- mineralogyScience of inorganic solids
paleontology · archaeology · fossilization · ecosystem · biodiversity · cavefish · bat · cave cricket · guano · adaptation
headlamp
Forward-facing vehicle light
carabiner · ascender · descender · knee pads · boots · gloves · dry bag · batteries · wetsuit · webbing
underground
Below ground or countercultural
- darknessTotal absence of light
- challengeTest of ability
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
exploration · risk · claustrophobia · mud · wet · cold · echo · depth · descent · thrill
mapping
Diagram of correspondences
- surveySystematic data collection
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
passage · squeeze · crawl · chimney · rappel · climb · navigate · cartography · documentation · photography
- cavescave, cavern, caves, caverns, grotto
- daredevilsbase jumper, stuntwoman, stuntman, cliff diver, stunt driver
- underground explorerscaver, speleologist, cave diver
- caverscaver, cavers, potholers, speleologist, cave explorer
- hobbyistshobbyist, hobbyists, enthusiasts, crafters, collectors
- seekersseekers, seeker, treasure hunters, searcher, fortune seekers
spelunkermountaineer
Professional summit climber
mountain climber · surface dweller · skydiver · alpinist · rock climber