I was browsing Tik Tok (yes I am ashamed) and saw a video of caver in pretty narrow passage. So that caver took another rock and started to chip in order to widen a little bit the passage, while complaining about not having a hammer with him.

I am a climber, not a caver, and that kind of behaviour would be a big nope in the climbing world (There is a few exceptions where it was done (usually after involving the federation and local community), and it’s still pretty controversial)

So I am curious about caver opinion on that practice.

  • @Viking_Hippie
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    561 year ago

    Imagine using the both incorrect and boring “caver” when the correct term is the magnificently hilarious “spelunker”!

    • @Dasnap
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      181 year ago

      Spelunky is a video game you silly sausage :)

      We all know caves aren’t real.

    • @dogslayeggs
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      161 year ago

      The saying among the caving community is that cavers go in to save spelunkers. The only people who really call it spelunking are people who don’t go caving very often.

      • @Viking_Hippie
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        101 year ago

        Not true. I’m in Denmark and refuse to use the boring term when the fun one is correct

    • @OBGYNKENOBI
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      101 year ago

      Isn’t spelunking specifically exploring underwater caves?

      • gon
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        191 year ago

        • @OBGYNKENOBI
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          121 year ago

          Wild, I had always thought it was just the scuba diving in a cave.

          • @BloodyFable
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            231 year ago

            You’re thinking of scublunking

            • @Viking_Hippie
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              81 year ago

              Nah, that’s a 1997 hit from the British band Chumbawumba

              You’re thinking of dumb locking

        • Basilisk
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          81 year ago

          It just feels like it should be because it makes a “spelunk” sound when you cannonball into the water.

      • W^Unt!2
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        101 year ago

        That would be splooshers you’re thinking of.

      • izzent
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        61 year ago

        Your username made me chuckle, it’s great

  • @[email protected]
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    301 year ago

    Yes, generally seen as a last resort to provide access past a squeeze but I know of several caves that have had Kilometers of passageway added to their surveys through the enlargement of a single point.

  • @quams69
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    241 year ago

    I have heard that it is inadvisable for solo or inexperienced spelunkers because you could easily dislodge something that could crush you, collapse a cave, etc.

    Basically it’s just unsafe from what I have seen

  • @dan1101
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    161 year ago

    Generally NO, the only acceptable defacement of caves I’ve seen are bolts to accommodate rappelling down shafts. Of course with commercial caves they have to do quite a bit of defacement.

    • @[email protected]
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      71 year ago

      Not always. I run a commercial tour (approx 5k visitors per annum, so fairly small in the great scheme of things) - one of the things we pride ourselves on is keeping the cave in its largely unmodified state. It’s really special to be able to share that with people.

      • @dan1101
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        21 year ago

        That’s definitely admirable. Do you have lights/stairs/hand rails?

        • @[email protected]
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          51 year ago

          There are stairs to the cave itself, but inside is a completely natural pathway. Nothing between you and the speleothems except a rope on the ground. Lights are an LED system worn on each individual’s helmet. And about a bazillion glowworms down in the lower levels over a lake.

          • @FearTheCron
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            31 year ago

            Mind if I ask where? I would love to see the glow worms some day. I have only seen videos, but it looks amazing.

  • Tygr
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    161 year ago

    Spelunking is not an equal opportunity hobby. Stop chipping away because you’ve got 50 pounds to lose.

  • Madrigal
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    141 year ago

    Not a caver, but I’ve watched a few spelunking vids online. The attitude of most - at least on camera - seems to be that you respect the cave and tackle it as-is rather than trying to modify it.

  • izzent
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    -81 year ago

    deleted by creator

    • @DisappointingIntro
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      241 year ago

      That’s how doubt works.

      1. There’s something you know and you experience something which challenges that knowledge.
      2. Now you only believe this thing, less sure in your knowledge so you reach out to others who are more knowledgeable on the topic.
      3. Post answer your belief has either returned to fact or you’ve learned something new, abandoned a false belief and grown as a person.

      Nothing wrong with reaching out.

    • Livie
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      41 year ago

      There’s no real harm in asking instead of just assuming you’re correct, surely? Besides, not everyone necessarily knows the ins and outs of common opinions in every hobby out there.