Why Cavers Aren't Spelunkers
Posted by Kyle G. Crider | | Posted On Sunday, February 05, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Some time ago (apparently during those turbulent 1960s), the term "spelunker" fell out of favor among organized cave explorers. While "speleologist" still is an acceptable term for professional cave researchers, it is no longer politically correct, in cavespeak, to refer to the organized but non-scientific exploration of caves as "spelunking." Indeed, an experienced caver who refers to himself/herself as a "spelunker" is about as common as a bleeding heart conservative.
"Cavers Rescue Spelunkers" is the bumper-sticker slogan of cavers. That is, to a caver, a spelunker is a cave explorer who views the only essential cave exploring equipment as a six pack and a flash light (in that order of importance). Things such as helmets, multiple backup light sources, and the cardinal rule of caving -- tell someone where you're going and when you're to be expected back -- are not in the spelunker's To Do list.
It follows that so much of the damage to fragile caverns (noted with much lament by cavers) is caused by spelunkers. Cavers also erase the graffiti of spelunkers -- unless, of course, that graffiti was inscribed in torch black hundreds of years ago and now qualifies as historic content to be treasured and preserved.
(For additional background info on the history and origins of spelunking/caving, please refer to Jo Schaper's excellent essay and a very nice entry in Wikipedia.)
"Cavers Rescue Spelunkers" is the bumper-sticker slogan of cavers. That is, to a caver, a spelunker is a cave explorer who views the only essential cave exploring equipment as a six pack and a flash light (in that order of importance). Things such as helmets, multiple backup light sources, and the cardinal rule of caving -- tell someone where you're going and when you're to be expected back -- are not in the spelunker's To Do list.
It follows that so much of the damage to fragile caverns (noted with much lament by cavers) is caused by spelunkers. Cavers also erase the graffiti of spelunkers -- unless, of course, that graffiti was inscribed in torch black hundreds of years ago and now qualifies as historic content to be treasured and preserved.
(For additional background info on the history and origins of spelunking/caving, please refer to Jo Schaper's excellent essay and a very nice entry in Wikipedia.)
