1.1 - What is Caving?
Caving is generally defined as the art of exploring the subterranean world, or caves if you will, in a safe and responsible manner.For more information, check out the NSS Information Brochure Page where you can order several brochures from the NSS on general caving, caving with youth, cave conservation and cave safety FREE!
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1.2 - Is Caving dangerous?
YES, caving is an inherently hazardous activity, with bruises, twisted ankles, broken bones and concussions being common injuries. The total and unremitting absence of light is a constant source of danger to those who explore the subterranean world. The temperature of many caves can cause hypothermia unless proper precautions are taken. The mud and the humid atmosphere create slippery conditions underground and normal aboveground climbing techniques are not sufficient to insure a reasonable margin of safety in cave exploration. Virgin or infrequently visited caves almost invariably present problems of unstable rock and treacherous hand and footholds. Reasonable safety in caving can only be achieved through a combination of proper attitude, good equipment and learning from those already well versed in the specialized techniques of cave exploration. Beginner/Novice cavers should go only trips led by experienced and knowledgeable cavers and new cavers need to understand their personal skill level, basic cave safety, what constitutes proper caving equipment and cave conservation. Every year there are several fatalities in caves with most of these deaths occurring due to inexperience, improper clothing or equipment or just plain stupidity!Caving is a dangerous sport, do not take safety lightly, it could save your life!
For more information on cave safety, check out the NSS Information Brochure Page where you can order brochures on cave safety FREE from the NSS!
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1.3 - What is a cave like?
Well, first off all, unlike what is represented on TV and the movies, caves are actually quite dark, in fact it very quickly gets into total darkness - no light at all - a rather intimidating experience at first, but you get used to it quite quickly. One advantage to total darkness is you get to put that "do Wintergreen Lifesavers really spark in dark" question to rest! (No, I won't tell you the answer, you'll have to find out for yourself!)As for the temperature, while it depends on the cave, most caves have average temperatures around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (about 12 degrees Celsius) with humidity approaching 100% year around. To help protect from the danger of hypothermia, wearing layers of synthetic insulating clothing like polypropylene is essential.
Caves are also quite dirty and muddy, believe it or not, so just a warning, if you don't like getting muddy or sweaty, maybe caving isn't right for you. Another thing to note is that cave mud is unlike any other mud you will ever encounter. It does not come out very easily, if at all, so never bring anything into a cave that you every want to wear outside of a cave again, unless you like the dirty brown tinge look.
That said, caves can also be very beautiful awe-inspiring sights with wondrous formations in almost every imaginable color and shape.
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1.4 - What equipment should I take into a cave?
There are many things one needs when exploring a cave. Follow this link for an Adobe Acrobat Checklist (5k) of recommended equipment. (For CCCC members only, some of the recommended equipment is available for rent from the club).
- Note: If you don't have the Adobe Acrobat Reader on your system, follow this link to the Download Adobe Acrobat Page
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1.5 - What is Cave Conservation?
Cave Conservation is a very important part of any cave exploring, as caves are very fragile and it could take thousands of years, if ever, to repair any damage caused by careless cavers. Remember, in all states it is illegal to damage or remove formations or anything else from the inside of a cave, this includes any animals that you may encounter while in a cave and they should not be disturbed in any way.There are three rules that all cavers live by:
- Take nothing but pictures: Fairly self-explanatory, take nothing out of a cave that you didn't take in, this includes everything from the most beautiful formations to the lowliest common rock to any animals you may see in the cave.
- Kill nothing but time: Once again, fairly self-explanatory, do not kill any animals or damage any formations you might find in the cave.
- Leave nothing but (carefully placed) footprints: This means you must be careful where you are walking while in the cave. Do not walk on formations, but stay on the well-worn or marked paths throughout the cave. This also means that everything you bring into the fragile cave environment must be packed out. This includes all the usual trash you might of brought in, food wrappers, water cans, batteries etc. all the way up to human waste! Everything that comes in, must go out, no exceptions!
Nothing angers cavers more than careless, inconsiderate cavers who don't follow the above rules. Remember, living by these rules means that we'll all be able to explore many a cave for many generations!
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2.1 - What is the Commander Cody Caving Club?
Commander Cody Caving Club (CCCC), dedicated to the exploration, study and conservation of caves, is a Grotto of the National Speleological Society (NSS), and has been serving the cavers of Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Northeastern Maryland and Southern New Jersey since 1976.Our membership includes people from all walks of life and ranges from experts who been caving for over 20 years to novice beginners. Our group activities range from hard-core exploration to armchair caving to family outings. We have something for every age group and all types of cavers are welcome.
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2.2 - What does CCCC do?
The main goal for CCCC is to provide a forum for Delaware Valley cavers to get together and discuss all aspects of caving and to arrange caving trips. Training in vertical caving, surveying, cave conservation, cave safety and other aspects of caving for the new and/or experienced caver is also provided based on needs and interests.Every year we have two grotto-wide trips (in the spring and fall) and countless smaller trips going out almost every weekend. While our major stomping grounds are West 'By God' Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania, we've had members caving in almost all states from Delaware to Hawaii and everywhere in between!
We also rent out caving equipment to members only.
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2.3 - How do I contact CCCC?
There are just two good ways to contact us.
- You may send us e-mail at
cccc@dol.net -attention: Kirk Holzapfel
- Or you may send us snail mail:
- Commander Cody Caving Club
P.O. Box 304
Rockland, DE 19732-0304
For more contact information see the Contacts Page
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2.4 - How can I join the CCCC?
For details on Membership in the CCCC, including how to join, please see the Membership Page
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2.5 - Are back issues of the Club Newsletter, The Chronicle, available?
Yes, just about every issue of The Chronicle is now available in PDF format. Please contact the Webmaster if you would like a copy e-mailed. While we believe that we have every issue of The Chronicle, if you have an issue that is not on our list, please contact the Webmaster. Thanks.The following issues are now available ...
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