Cave Hiking Basics: What You Should Know About Safe Hiking

Cave hiking is considered to be an extreme sportthe most. You will also want to have a LED
in some circles. However, extreme sport tends toflashlight with you to shine into other spaces, tight
mean that the people who participate have littlespaces or into a different direction. LED lanterns
regard for safety and that is not true with caveoffer a lot of light and are great for lighting up an
hiking. Cave hiking is a recreational sport that isentire cave. You will want to use LED lights
quite challenging and requires skills of varyingbecause they offer you a longer battery life and
levels depending on the type of cave you'relonger bulb life. LED lights are the most
exploring.recommended lights for caving. Always have two
When you go cave hiking, you need equipment tolight sources with you when cave hiking for extra
help you navigate the cave. The sport is physicallysafety.
demanding but fun and rewarding. It is similar toKnife: You will need to carry some type of
mountain climbing and diving in terms of thesurvival knife with you as well while you are cave
physical demand required and the rush you gethiking, such as a Swiss Army knife or hunting
from accomplishing it. Throughout the world thereknife. A survival knife is paramount in case you
are many caves that you can explore, especiallyneed to cut ropes or vines, etc. while in the cave.
in the larger countries like the United States.It also may be needed if you have to mark your
While cave hiking is not extremely popular, thedirection in the ground or rock.
athletes that do participate in the sport find itOther equipment: Items like ropes, helmets,
quite exciting and different from other sports.carabineers, hiking boots, water and food are
There are thousands of caves that can beadditional items you will want to carry with you
explored and there are still many that have notwhen cave hiking. It is best to check with a guide
yet been explored. If you are new to cave hiking,or take a course with a guide on what is the
you should hire a guide to go with you to makeappropriate equipment and attire for the particular
sure that you have a safe trip that is enjoyable -area you will be hiking. Don't cave hike on your
the trip stops being fun when you are trapped inown until you have done so with a proper guide.
a cave and you don't have the right equipment.Always remember - safety first. Tell someone
Safety is paramount in cave hiking and there isthat you are going hiking, when you are entering
equipment you need:the cave, where it is located and when you
LED lights: When you are cave hiking, you shouldexpect to return. This is to ensure that if
have a few different light sources to help yousomething goes wrong and you don't return on
see in the dark caves. Ideally, you will have a LEDtime, someone knows where to begin the search.
headlamp, which is a popular choice of equipmentAlways ensure that if you are new to the area or
with cave hikers. LED headlamps offer you a lightnew to the cave that you take a guide with you
source without needing to use your hands. Itwho is experienced in that area and cave. This will
points in the direction your head is pointed, whichensure that you are safe throughout the hike and
is usually where you are headed and need lightthat you have fun.