L Roebuck
Technical Support
Caving
^V^ Just a caver
Posts: 2,023
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Post by L Roebuck on Aug 10, 2006 9:46:14 GMT -5
Going undergroundBy Diane Toroian Keaggy ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 08/10/2006 Before exploring the region's caves, know these basic rules: Bring three sources of light. Wear shoes with good traction. And never call yourself a spelunker. "Spelunker grates on the ears of people who actually do this," says expert caver Richard Orr, who leads beginner caving trips for the Alpine Shop. "It clearly identifies people who haven't done it but have heard the word and think it sounds cool. Kids who drink beer in a cave call themselves spelunkers." Missouri is home to 6,000 caves, second only to Tennessee's 7,000. But watch out Volunteer State - more caves are discovered here every year. That's caving's great appeal, Orr says. "Caving is one of the few ways you can stay in your own state and have a great adventure and perhaps see something that's never been seen before," he says. "That's pretty rare in our world." Don't shimmy into that mysterious hole in the ground just yet. First, take a tour at popular commercial caves and public parks. They provide a safe introduction to the history, geology and wildlife of the region's stunning underworld. Full ArticleOne Correction: Tennessee currently has over 8,900 caves
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