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Absolutely. In fact, in the interior of caves it is so dark that if you were to drop your light or run out of batteries, you would not be able to see your own hand in front of your face. You certainly would not be likely to find your way out without injury -- most people can't even navigate their own living rooms in the dark without banging their knees! Imagine the added difficulty if your ceiling and floor periodically dropped or rose several feet and was littered with large and small rocks.
Within a few hours of total darkness you would find yourself experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations as your mind attempted to compensate for the lack of sensory input. Cavers who have spent days in caves while surveying report that they soon find themselves in a sort of quasi-hibernation where they sleep for 12 hours and then work for 12 hours. Upon returning to the surface, these speleologists report they experience heightened sensitivity to light, sound and temperature for several days.
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Although it is easy to become disoriented in caves due to their three-dimensional nature, those who cave frequently eventually develop skills and habits that enable them to travel most caves safely, even those with which they are unfamiliar. Stopping at junctions to look around, paying attention to geologic features, becoming familiar with topo maps and learning how to navigate using a compass are some of the ways you can decrease your chances of becoming lost. Also, cavers who are members of the National Speleological Society frequently have access to cave maps and survey data that are not available to the general public. As a result, they can better plan their trip and get more enjoyment from the experience.
Experienced cavers never use flagging tape, string, wire cable, spray paint, chalk, rope, etc., to mark their route into and out of a cave. Using these things harms the cave environment, disrupts the experience for others, and could pose a safety hazard by tripping explorers' feet.
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It is unusual to see snakes in caves here in the U.S. If you do see one, it will normally be along a ledge, in the bottom of a pit, or near an entrance. The interiors of most North American caves are too cold for snakes. However, caves in the southwestern U.S., Mexico and Central America are much warmer and could harbor snakes.
Bears are found in caves primarily in the northwestern U.S. or in mountains. Anywhere that is widely regarded as "bear country" could contain caves being used as dens. Be cautious when entering a new cave (a wise guideline for any cave trip!) and keep your eyes open for tracks, dung, or other signs.
Bats, common denizens of most caves, are generally harmless, especially if left undisturbed. Most bats in the U.S. are insectivores and perform valuable work each night by feeding on thousands of insects that would otherwise damage crops or bite humans and livestock. However, large deposits of their dung, or guano, have been linked to certain respiratory disorders, and they sometimes carry diseases such as rabies. Avoid caving in areas where there are large concentrations of guano and do not touch any bats that you see, both for their safety and for your own. In the western hemisphere, vampire bats are found only in Mexico or Central and South America.
In addition to bats, most caves contain cave crickets and salamanders and some western caves may contain cave scorpions or centipedes. Small mammals and rodents such as pack rats and raccoons frequently put their nests in caves if organic debris is plentiful and there are handy routes to the surface. In caves where the water is relatively clean and clear, you will also find crawfish and small fish. These aquatic cave creatures are often solid white and eyeless, because neither color nor sight is needed in the absolute blackness of the cave environment.
NOTICE: Many of the animals inhabiting caves (called "troglobitic" species if they live ONLY in caves) are ENDANGERED SPECIES. Never attempt to remove them from their habitat! Furthermore, cavers should always try to disturb the animals they encounter as little as possible, even if it means going to extra trouble and discomfort. Remember, you are invading their home; always try to be a courteous guest! To learn more about animals that live in caves, visit the Biospeleology web site.
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Every cave is different, so every cave is a different adventure. In general, you can characterize a cave by the substance in which it is formed, for example, ice, lava, or limestone; however, this still will not describe all of the characteristics of the cave. Factors such as the location and quantity of water sources, the structure and composition of rock layers, and the proximity of fractures and fault zones all work together to produce many variations in how a cave is formed. Each cave is unique.
In general, you can expect to see lots of rock and mud or sand, depending on whether the cave is dry or wet. Many caves have beautiful, multicolored rock or mineral formations or exhibit sculpting caused by the movement of underground streams over time. Others may contain items of historical significance: prehistoric petroglyphs, Indian artifacts or the remnants of saltpeter vats, moonshine stills, and waterworks. These items should be left as found to preserve them for others to enjoy. You can learn more about low-impact enjoyment of caves at our web page on Cave Conservation.
To take a virtual caving trip, visit Dave Brunnel's Virtual Cave. Several of his excellent photos are featured elsewhere at our site. Or you can check out our Gallery Underground, which usually has photos from TAG caves on display.
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A helmet, UIAA certified if possible; a reliable electric light (preferably mounted on the helmet); at least two other reliable sources of light, along with whatever supplies are necessary to operate them (bulbs, batteries, carbide, etc.); good lug-soled boots (no tennis shoes); tough clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and possibly wet; and a pack to put your extra lights, batteries, food and water in. In addition, gloves, knee and elbow pads, a first aid kit, a trash bag and a short length of some good quality rope (PMI or Bluewater static rope) or webbing are also useful to have along. The rope or webbing is useful for fashioning handlines for steep slopes or short drops; however, don't make the mistake of trying to climb a rope hand-over-hand out of a pit. Decades of rescue reports testify to the foolhardiness of this approach. Also, never use dynamic rope (commonly used for rock climbing) for caving applications. It is too loosely woven and stretchy for safe use in the cave environment. The trash bag can perform triple duty as a means of removing trash you find in the cave, an emergency rain suit or as a lifesaving, heat-retaining, extra layer in case something goes wrong. Most of the above items can be obtained pretty cheaply at hardware stores or at discount stores such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart. You can learn a lot more about caving equipment and where to get it by visiting our web page on Caving Safely elsewhere at this web site.
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The best way to find out about caves in your area is to contact organized, local cavers. Most areas of the country have a local cave club, or grotto, nearby. To find out where the grotto nearest you is located, contact the National Speleological Society at:
National Speleological Society
Membership Director
2813 Cave Avenue
Huntsville, Alabama 35810
Phone: 205-852-1300
Or visit their web site, where you will find a clickable map of the U.S. showing the locations of NSS grottos and how to reach them.
Grottos (other than our own) that are located in the T.A.G. (Tennessee--Alabama--Georgia) region and have web pages include the following:
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April Hannah, NSS #35012.
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(C) Copyright 2024, April Hannah for the Upper Cumberland Grotto of the NSS. All Rights Reserved. Photos available on this web site are the property of individual members of the Upper Cumberland Grotto. Failure to request permission before saving these images to disk for your own use is a violation of the U.S. Copyright Law.