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.
Imagine using the both incorrect and boring “caver” when the correct term is the magnificently hilarious “spelunker”!
Spelunky is a video game you silly sausage :)
We all know caves aren’t real.
Only in North America. The rest of us call it caving.
Not true. I’m in Denmark and refuse to use the boring term when the fun one is correct
Isn’t spelunking specifically exploring underwater caves?
Wild, I had always thought it was just the scuba diving in a cave.
You’re thinking of scublunking
Nah, that’s a 1997 hit from the British band Chumbawumba
You’re thinking of dumb locking
It just feels like it should be because it makes a “spelunk” sound when you cannonball into the water.
That would be splooshers you’re thinking of.
I can’t tell if you’re fucking with me or not.
Name checks out.
Your username made me chuckle, it’s great
Thx bby
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.
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
Spelunking is not an equal opportunity hobby. Stop chipping away because you’ve got 50 pounds to lose.
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.
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.
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That’s how doubt works.
- There’s something you know and you experience something which challenges that knowledge.
- Now you only believe this thing, less sure in your knowledge so you reach out to others who are more knowledgeable on the topic.
- 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.
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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.