Caving has its origins in France in the 20th century, but it spread throughout the European continent, gaining a great place in the Spanish environment. The Iberian Peninsula has numerous corners that have been explored and continue to be explored with the intention of discovering the true beauty that is hidden in the depths of the earth.
Anthropologists, archaeologists and biologists have been interested for centuries in the study of these natural phenomena, a great source of information about how our ancestors lived and the evolution of species of living beings, and that is why that caving is known.
Caving vs. caving
Currently, interest in the underground depths has transcended the leisure time of those who have an adventurous spirit and would like to be Indiana Jones for a few hours.
| SPELEOLOGY | SPEELEISM | |
| Purpose | Scientific research | Live an adventure. Play sports |
| Required materials | Safety and progression equipment along with useful tools to carry out the study | Safety and progression equipment |
| Activity duration | Time marked in the investigation. It is usually longer | Recreational time, at most one day |
What equipment do I need?
If you are going to start in this world, one of our tips is to be psychologically prepared, since if you are not willing to enter the cavities it can be a not very pleasant experience. When you have decided and have thought about the cave you are going to go to, the next step is to get the material.
Do you want to know more? Read: Caving in Spanish caves
Personal equipment
- Clothing: We must choose clothing adjusted to the temperature of the cavity we are going to explore. It is best that you go to a place specialized in sports, since street clothes are not useful.
- Jumpsuit: It must be waterproof, to prevent the humidity or water we encounter from penetrating and causing us to get cold.
- Gloves: necessary to protect the hands, one of the most fragile parts of the body.
- Boots: Depending on whether the cavity has water or not, we will wear rubber boots or mountain boots.
Technical team
- Harness: choose the one that provides us with the greatest comfort and safety. The one on the chest will maintain stability during the ascent.
- Anchor ropes: ropes to which a carabiner is adapted.
- Descenders or blockers: they are very important because thanks to them we will avoid falls.
- Helmet: if possible, let it have lighting.
- Carburetor: although they are falling into disuse due to the incorporation of LEDs, they are good thanks to the heat issue.
- Sack or backpack: before choosing it, we must take into account what we will usually carry in it. You have to be careful with the handles since if there are too many of them they can get caught on the rocks.
Do you already have the material? Well now all you have to do is enjoy an authentic experience in the middle of nature.
