The Caving Accident Report
One of the best publications on the planet
Caving isn’t for everyone. Most people avoid dirt, mud, small spaces, learning to use a flashlight correctly, and strangers.
In order to go caving, which the uninitiated call “spelunking” because it sounds more fun, you have to do it with other people, unless you are completely bonkers. It’s dangerous, so backup is important.
Even if you have zero desire to climb into a dark hole, the compelling and primal magnetism of caves can’t be denied. They show up at the start or end of great adventure films like Indiana Jones and The Empire Strikes Back or my personal favorite, King Solomon’s Mines.
But you don’t have to strap on a series of carabiners or throw several hundred feet of rope over yourself to enjoy armchair caving. And that is what the caving accident report is all about.
When Things Go Wrong
Why do people get into caving accidents? It seems to be a combination of bad luck, inexperience, overconfidence, stupidity, and youth.
The National Speleological Society (NSS) publishes an annual report of all known American caving accidents. Here are a few highlights from 2019–2020, which teaches that it’s best to try dangerous activities with an experienced pro, and…
