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.

  • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    71
    arrow-down
    15
    ·
    1 year ago

    Imagine using the both incorrect and boring “caver” when the correct term is the magnificently hilarious “spelunker”!

  • Axisential@lemmy.nz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    30
    ·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • quams69@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    24
    ·
    1 year ago

    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

  • Tygr@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    17
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Spelunking is not an equal opportunity hobby. Stop chipping away because you’ve got 50 pounds to lose.

  • dan1101@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    16
    ·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • Axisential@lemmy.nz
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      Not always. I run a commercial tour (approx 5k visitors per annum, so fairly small in the great scheme of things) - one of the things we pride ourselves on is keeping the cave in its largely unmodified state. It’s really special to be able to share that with people.

        • Axisential@lemmy.nz
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          1 year ago

          There are stairs to the cave itself, but inside is a completely natural pathway. Nothing between you and the speleothems except a rope on the ground. Lights are an LED system worn on each individual’s helmet. And about a bazillion glowworms down in the lower levels over a lake.

  • Madrigal@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    14
    ·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • DisappointingIntro@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      24
      ·
      1 year ago

      That’s how doubt works.

      1. There’s something you know and you experience something which challenges that knowledge.
      2. Now you only believe this thing, less sure in your knowledge so you reach out to others who are more knowledgeable on the topic.
      3. 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.

    • Livie@iusearchlinux.fyi
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      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.