While many cavers are satisfied with exploring known caves, others
seek to find and survey new caves. Even in areas that have seen heavy
caving activity over the years, 'virgin' cave passages are being discovered
through systematic searching on the surface and in known caves.
Whether pushing passages other have overlooked in known caves or digging
open new entrances and passages, new caves are being discovered, explored
and mapped in almost all active caving areas.
SEARCHING FOR NEW CAVES
The search for new caves usually begins with a familiarity
with a certain area and the feeling that there just has to be more cave
there than is currently known. The search can be long and difficult, so
a certain amount of faith and persistence is required. Frequently one
person or a small group will begin the hunt and recruit others to assist
as time goes on. Here is a summary a some typical steps in a project:
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Research
- The first step in the process is to do background research
on the area to be searched for new caves. This will typically
involve checking published literature on known caves, including
reports from caving club newsletters, and talking with the
'old timers' who have caved extensively in that area.  Topographic
and geological maps are the next stop to identify likely areas
based on physical features such as sinkholes, known outcrops
of cave forming rocks, and known cave locations. Topographic
maps of the US are available from the US
Geological Survey and you can search for and view topographic
maps on line at TopoZone.com.
This will help narrow the search area to a more manageable
size. This is also a good time to identify the landowners
and start working on obtaining permission to conduct your
search on their property. |
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Ridgewalking
- This is where the fun starts, getting out in the field and
walking the terrain looking for rock outcroppings, sinkholes,
suspicious clumps of trees or brush in fields. There is no
substitute for experience here and knowing a little geology
won't hurt either. A very systematic search pattern with as
many people as possible will improve your odds, since it is
possible to walk within a few feet of a small pit or possible
entrance in the brush without seeing it. In most case you
won't find a nice open cave entrance beckoning, so be prepared
to probe and dig in the more likely places, looking for that
blowing hole, headwall or dirt filled passage that suggests
cave beyond. Of course make sure that you have permission
to dig before you start excavating on a landowner's property.
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 Record
and report - Once you find an entrance or likely
digging prospect you need to make sure you can come back and
find it again. These days the best way to do that is by recording
the location using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver
to get an accurate location and writing down any nearby landmarks
and what type of tools may be needed for digging. Report your
finds to a county or state survey organization to make sure
it isn't 'discovered' again by someone else. [If you want
to keep your find secret until you have completed your digging
or exploration the surveys should respect your wishes.]
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Survey
- Surveying your find and mapping it (see the surveying
and mapping page) is the next step. Today the standard
is to survey as you explore, ensuring that the survey will
get done while everyone is motivated by the enthusiasm of
exploring virgin cave. |
DIGGING
The resources required for a digging project need to be
appropriate to the specific circumstances of the dig. Tools may range
from bare hands to backhoes depending on the amount of rock or dirt to
be removed, the space available, size of the digging crew, budget, and
desires of the landowner. The best way to learn about digging is to get
involved in a few active digging projects.
Digging is not without its hazards - landslides or rockfall
are a serious hazard in some cases and may require properly engineered
shoring. In rare cases explosives may be required, requiring competent
cave blasters who will be able to minimize the risks to the digging crew
and damage to the cave. |
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