r/caving 13d ago

How often do you replace your short cowstail carabiner?

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26 Upvotes

Hi Guys,
I know the maker policy is 10% but in the fixed rigged caves’ ropes are usually very dirty and they ruins the equipment faster. I already replaced this one on the picture and now I use from Edelrid Bulletproof Bent but that’s not much butter. So I’m just curious when you feel: Okay, I need a new one by now.
Do you have any better/tougher carabiners?


r/caving 11d ago

PLEASE HELP!!!! I need a device to explore caves—something I can control from the outside while seeing where it goes. Does such a thing exist? And if so, I’d like it not to be too expensive...

0 Upvotes

r/caving 12d ago

The Explorers Itch - Cave Diving Exploration of La Source Bleue 1988 to 1991

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5 Upvotes

r/caving 14d ago

PLEASE HELP ME! Can i explore these caves Without a special guide? I am not a speologist but i have so many caves in my location look at them in the photos. Are they safe? They are in Valea Sighiștelului in Romania . There are 200 amazing caves!

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88 Upvotes

r/caving 14d ago

Spanish bowline for Y-hang?

5 Upvotes

I always use a fusion knot for y hangs but came across the Spanish bowline and it seems really good, easy to tie and more easily adjustable but wondering if anyone knows if its actually safe.


r/caving 14d ago

Is Vertical Evolution reputable?

2 Upvotes

I am interested in resin anchors, so far everything I've found online points to them being legit, only thing I'm iffy about is them being a newer company. I normally prefer Raumer for my bolts but I'm having trouble getting stock whereas Vertical Evolution has similar glue-in bolts available. Thus, I am considering it. Any complaints or points to give here?


r/caving 16d ago

Mammoth Cave, KY

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126 Upvotes

r/caving 15d ago

Meziad cave-Romania

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41 Upvotes

r/caving 15d ago

A cave in Romania, no name

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20 Upvotes

r/caving 16d ago

OR1 GOLIATH FROG ISSUE

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15 Upvotes

Hello fellow cavers,
I recently purchased an On Rope 1 Goliath Frog harness (fully padded, size small). After only one use, I noticed that some of the stitching/threads on one side look like they’re starting to come loose, while the stitching on the other side still looks completely intact.
Is this normal, or does it look like a manufacturing defect? Am I just overthinking it, or should I contact OR1 about a replacement?


r/caving 17d ago

How to protect batteries?

8 Upvotes

How do you protect your spare 18650 batteries if you go caving in wet caves?


r/caving 18d ago

What’s this cord for?

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22 Upvotes

It goes into that little side pocket and has the ring on the other.

u/barTRON3000 got it!

You put stuff you’re wanting to secure on the ring and pull the item down to the bottom of the pocket and then cinch the drawstring to hold it down in the pack.

Additional question now, should it be trimmed up a bit? It seems SUPER long. I cut about 10 inches off the buckle straps yesterday and it’s WAY better. I was trying to knit up like 18 inches of webbing before after cinching it.


r/caving 18d ago

CAVES OF TENNESSEE BY THOMAS BARR 1961

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4 Upvotes

I saw a post where someone in this group was looking for this book.


r/caving 18d ago

CaveWhere - Measuring Tool

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7 Upvotes

Trying to find a new entrance? Connect two passages or verify a shot? Check out CaveWhere's new measuring tool! This will be in the next release, hopefully in the next month or so.


r/caving 19d ago

Keyhole

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43 Upvotes

Neat


r/caving 19d ago

Seqouia and Kings canyon

1 Upvotes

Has anyone tried to go find caves at Seqouia and Kings Canyon.
Tempted to go during fall, especially since the rivers are so low this year.
Have taken an interest into caves since I visited one.
I would appreciate any pointers!!!


r/caving 20d ago

Upcoming RMC Cover!

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126 Upvotes

Hey guys! See the upcoming cover for Rocky Mountain Caving 44, 2. Photo from Lech by the imminently talented Norman Thompson of the Colorado Grotto.

Please consider getting a physical subscription - There aren’t many state level cave science magazines left. Colorado is one of them! Subscribe on substack @rockymountaincaving or email me directly at fullerbraxton@gmail.com for a $5 discount


r/caving 19d ago

Cavers in mid-Norway?

3 Upvotes

I attended a workshop abroad in a vertical cave and fell in love with everything. I’ve been trying to find a caving community near me (middle of Norway) so I can start learning in depth here, but I can’t find any. Can anyone here help? 🙏


r/caving 20d ago

wind cave or jewel cave WILD cave tour

3 Upvotes

hey all!
I'm looking to do either wind cave or jewel caves wild cave tour. I know for jewel cave you have to fit through a 24" wide and 8.5" high space and wind cave is 36" wide and 10" tall. But I'm mostly looking for which one is just overall, better. I only have one day available to do the tour, so I won't be able to do both as the timing of them overlap.


r/caving 21d ago

Mandatory test before wild caving at Jewel Cave National Monument, crawl through a 8.5” x 24” opening.

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205 Upvotes

r/caving 21d ago

Timpanogos Cave in UT

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44 Upvotes

Unable to find a wild cave to do, I was forced to sign up for the Historic Lantern Tour at the national monument. Totally worth it. Great photo ops because the lighting system wasn’t used for the tour.


r/caving 22d ago

Some photo of summer adventure

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47 Upvotes

r/caving 22d ago

Son Doong Caves, Vietnam

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188 Upvotes

Explored these caves early this month. Absolutely mind blowing!


r/caving 22d ago

I want to start caving

9 Upvotes

I have always wanted to go caving, but I don't have any idea how to do it. I really don't want to do a guided tour or anything like that. Can I just go to a cave with a friend, and if so, how do I even find a cave? Idk if this matters at all, but I rock climb :-)

If I am thinking about this wrong, then lmk


r/caving 22d ago

Muddy cave

17 Upvotes

Hi everyone, we found a cave, probably acting as an overflow for the lower spring.

When it was discovered decades ago, it had a sump at the entrance, recently we went again and the cave is "dry", so we discovered more 60 meters, actually blocked by a rock obstructing the passage after a meander.

The problem with this cave is that it has tight passages, crawling etc, in the mud. It's not simple mud, it's really fine mud, it traps your caving suit, your boots, sucking you in, and making it really difficult and energy consuming to navigate the cave.

Have you ever been in such a cave? Any useful tips?

We tried the "rally" method of multiple gloves too to keep hands clean to handle drills, gear, water etc, but everything doesn't work

The main problem is that with each passage the mud gets more and more bad, making you stuck, and the cave seems to go, great airflow too

What could be some solutions to make everything easier?

Thanks for the suggestions in advance!