This video follows a group of cavers underground. For two of them it is their first ever caving trip. The video is aimed at potential cavers and shows what to expect on a novice caving trip.
A Snake caving is not hard, it just look stupid. Why risking your life for some adrenaline or challenges! there is plenty other activities for that. Example try step into a mma cage its more safe even you can get injured but at least you wont die squeezed
@@MalleeMate It's not about it being hard. Most of us are probably claustrophobic. I can't help but to watch these videos but I seriously feel like it's difficult to breathe sometimes when I'm watching people go into really tight spaces. Anyway, at 6'4 I don't think I'll fit into any cave.
I mean I went caving this summer and the first time I squeezed in a space I was like oh heck no but after a little bit it's all about staying calm like I sang the ABC's and ended it off when I got out with "now we are out of the tight squeeze!" :) But yeah caving is super fun and I would totally do it again.
here in t.a.g ....Tennessee, Alabama, GEORGIA , alot of the caves are just walking through, some crawling , bellycraw . been in them since i was 7 or 8. biggest challenge now days is not getting arrested or shot!
I am an ESL teacher. I am using this video to teach "must and mustn't" versus "have to" (for example: "Cave rule #1: You must have partners. Why? If you are hurt, you will have to get help."). The students found it very interesting and I wanted to thank you for posting this video.
Impressive. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. Love the editing and the amount of light you use for proper exposure. I have done a lot of caves here in the states, Tennessee specifically, and look forward to getting back into it as soon as my back heals up from a recent injury. Until then, I'll enjoy watching videos such as this one. Wonderful.
+Keith Edwards (Caver Keith) Looks like a pretty neat cave, and it's evident there was a lot of work that went in to the filming (as well as production). Great video.
Thanks. What else can I say? I've used different video editing software for this. I have been using iMovie but this one was done in Final Cut Pro X - the 30 day free trial version. I think I'm going to have to put my hand in my pocket.
Thanks, your comment is appreciated. It's a mixture of lighting. 4 of us have very bright Scurion helmet lamps. I was also using a 650 lumen 160 LED panel light (which we often use for back lighting) and a LED Lenser X21 1000 lumen torch which can be focused.
So many beautiful looking sections. Explore the great outdoors they say. I agree. Although I love hiking up mountains I still have vertigo. After watching caving vids, my claustrophobia is alive and kicking. Even for the newbies it looks like a challenging day out. Congratulations.
I went caving for the first time recently. It was novice cave with no rope portions and minimal water, but it was still stressful. There was a 10 minute stretch where we were on our bellies, and some parts were precarious, but nothing like this. I can't imagine doing this as a first timer.
My first (and only) guided caving trip had "squeeze" passages FAR smaller than this. Ex: lay on your back, go inverted down a tube - one arm MUST be up, one arm MUST be down at your side. We had to scoot our bodies using the tips of our heels for about 15 meters. If you panic and breathe too deeply, you are stuck, until you calm down. I would go caving again if it was like this video. I had no idea I would be going through the "tube" type of cave system I did my first trip. Next time I go, if I see a 10-12 inch diameter tube - I'm camping there. I would love the other stuff. Water, climbing, ledges, etc. But, I'll pass on the "birth canal" as they called it in TN, USA.
Raccoon Mountain. I figured by the name and looks of the place it would be more like Ruby Falls.. LOL! No really, I wanted to get muddy, and hit my head, and get into some little spots, maybe even swim in some dark nasty water. But, not squeeze through what I refer to as a tube. If I can see a larger area just slightly ahead, I'll go through a tight squeeze. But, this was insane. It was like sticking a meatball in a garden hose made of stone. Luckily I was with a bunch of 120 pound college kids and my sons that were maybe 90lbs. So I had to suck in my 215lbs and man up. heheheh. Roller coasters don't even phase me. But, I felt near death in this. Maybe I'm claustrophobic now. Who knows.
Alex McCarthy God these type of caves I here about literally put me on the brink of a panic attack thinking about what would happen. I'm sorry that sucks, but glad you're okay. I don't think I'll ever do unless I do relentless research for things like this or bigger. I think we might have stuff like this in and around my city.
Well, I'm 6'0" and 215lbs, so I'm kinda big, and I had the pleasure of being with a bunch of skinny college kids, and my two youngest sons, who are like 90lbs and tall. So I'm guessing the guide just looked at me, as the only "challenge". When entering the cave system, I watched two muddy older folks (like me) come out, and the male, was FAR bigger than me. So I thought I was good. Well, AFTER the 3-4 hour crawl/squeeze tour, I saw that the cave system is HUGE on the map, our tour guide just wanted to show off, and give me a challenge (from hell). I was the only jackass with a fanny pack too. In the "tubes" I would tie it to my foot, and drag it. I thought it best to bring ziplock bags in case of water to protect our cell phones (thin HD camera), protein bars, and extra headlamp batteries. I had no idea what we were in for. Figured if I had to ditch the pack, no big loss. We did end up getting somewhat lost, and trekking through an under ground river that was about 18 inches deep. Everything was awesome, minus the 3 parts that were the diameter of a damn medium pizza for 10-15 meters. Now I know some of my limits. We also had to ascend a knotted rope, only about 3 meters, but... Yeah.. Haven't done a pull-up since highschool, and no ascension gear. But since that trip, I've gotten better by rope climbing in trees in the back yard. Still old and fat though.. LOL
I lead a lot of Youth Group trips in the USA. The leaders like to know what to expect. I try to describe it with still pictures and my own words. I'm going to forward a link to your video to those leaders that ask. This was awesome. Looking forward to more from you.
Jeff Grigg You are correct, but the great thing about OFD is that we can make the trip as easy or as hard as we like depending on how the novice cavers are coping. This was a great bunch of people and they are all still caving regularly with the club.
When I was a kid I used to line up all the chairs and bar stools we had in the house and barricade them with couch pillows and crawl through them like I was adventuring through a cave. Then I graduated to crawling through sewers with my friends as a teenager(stupid). I don't know what happened to that thrill I used to get at crawling through tight spaces, because now I am horribly claustrophobic. But for some reason I still love watching these cave diving videos even though sometimes they make me squirm in my chair. Almost like I'm doing it vicariously through your experiences that you document so well. Thanks for the videos Keith! Who knows... Maybe one day I'll get my courage back and try it.
Thanks for watching and for the great comment. It's amazing how many new members tell us they are claustrophobic but then realise that they aren't once they are in a cave. You must try it some day.
Yikes, much of this made me "squirmy." I could never do this but I'm grateful for those who do and share it with the rest of us. Thank you for posting.
Hi Keith Do you know what I find wonderful about this video? It's that it shows "normal caving" and not some "extreme caving" scenes. And I believe it should encourage more people to try and enter in the "World of caving". And all my compliments for all the fabulous job you are doing with your colleagues (including Monkey ***) Kind regards Jean-François Caver
@@CaverKeith Hi again Do you know why I like the fact that not everybody wants to visit caves? Can you imagine a cave full of people like in a football match? Let's keep it for the happy few who can accept squeezes and mud. Ad augusta per angusta! Looking at your videos, let me humbly say what seems to me the most difficult in caving in Wales. It's pronouncing the names of the caves. Kind regards
I’d love to go caving. I can handle pretty much anything with the right equipment but if I have over a 40% chance of getting stuck between the walls. Caves can piss off
Hi Iwan Pleased you like the video. I've forwarded your message to a member of NWCC who is a personal friend of mine. As far as I know the club is still active as I joined them on a trip last year. Another club to contact is UCET (United Cavers Exploration Team). UCET Is based in North Wales and Henllan who has also commented on this video is a member.
You know that song from ''The Doors''.......... it goes something like this....''This is the end..... my lonely friend, the end'''..... Yeah that's it folks
Matthew lewellyn I did a simulated one and it is just terrifying there is no light so we can see one shit in there and just crawl,I have to do it since it's my school camp
The "squeezes" and "tubes' would be my issue, I'd like to think I'd be ok otherwise. I went on a 3 night camping trip with 2 other classes in 6th grade and they had us going through a split rock that required shuffling sideways through a maybe 15" crevasse for about 15 feet, dropping down onto our sides, then a crawl through a small hole of maybe 2 feet(?) so we could be pulled up and out by one of our chaperones. I forced everyone behind me to back up and out of the crevasse at least twice before I finally found the resolve to make it through and even now 30+ years later I get very anxious just thinking about the odyssey...
We do visit Derbyshire from time to time. There are currently 6 videos in the Derbyshire playlist - see ru-vid.com/group/PLmYRpDxLsvFHDmqqUOKNhZx6i1Bq4xeQB
While caving is certainly extreme... can it really be considered a "sport?" I've never heard it referred to that way. There are no teams, scores/points, or competitive aspect, so I'm not sure I'd consider it a sport. However, I'd happily admit that it's far more extreme than most, if not all sports. And you guys seem to take it pretty deep into that 'extreme' territory, which is fascinating to watch. Thanks for sharing, Keith.. and please, keep the awesome content coming! Keith's Spelunkers - 1, RU-vid Observers - 0 Okay, I concede. You've won this one. :-)
Thanks for watching and thanks for your positive comments. You are very kind. Whilst sports do usually have a competitive element there is a much wider defintion. The word "sport" comes from the Old French desport meaning "leisure", with the oldest definition in English from around 1300 being "anything humans find amusing or entertaining”. I think caving fits these definitions. Also Roget's defines the noun sport as an "activity engaged in for relaxation and amusement" with synonyms including diversion and recreation. According to Council of Europe, European Sports Charter, article 2.i, "'Sport' means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.”[12] So according to this definition competition is optional. Best regards, Keith
Thanks Lynn. We have been away for the weekend filming another video. I haven't looked at the footage yet so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will turn out OK. Keep watching.
keith, last time i went to a cave, i didnt need to risk my life for it or get all rusted and muddy. Its granny proof. If you want to know more about it google on images "grutas de garcia" not even need for flashlights. pretty safe and amazing if you ask me.
This is overdramatized, I assure everyone here that it’s not really a big deal. Not much different than having sheets too tight on your bed. It’s the exertion that should worry people. Just be in shape and willing to work for an extended period and it’s all good. I’m 205 pounds and never had an issue with 978 confined space caves done to date. It’s literally a patience and frustration thing, if you can’t control either it’s a panic thing. Remember, at least one person made it through before you because it’s mapped out. Pay attention to the map, don’t be all eager to determine a new route in a mapped cave because, trust me, it’s been mapped within tight resonantly. You want to be a cave explorer instead of a caver, that’s on you. And if you do, be smart and be good at mapping it out for the future cavers. FYI, wet hard caves are easier, more rewarding, and less stressful than dry desert caves. Just be seasonal about it and monitor conditions and the forecast beforehand. The amount of deaths or accidents vs successful cavings are just like every other “extreme” activity.....low. Common sense, capability, and ability to resist panic is fine. Peer pressure should never be an issue, like he casually notes here with, “do you want me to lie to you?” Go with friends who have the same values and don’t pressure you to go further than what you are comfortable with, just like mountaineering or vert climbing.
Hi Chris. Thanks for the great comment. As you will have seen we seem to do most of our caving in South Wales these days. Where are you based and do you visit South Wales?
Pretty awesome, just found this randomly after looking up the story on Neil Moss. Dont think I'd be doing this! Haha I'd be afraid of being trapped or something. Cool to see people doing it, rather interesting.
Your videos are inspiring viewing Keith, keep it up. I just went back into OFD 1 for the first time in 25 years ( the last time I was only a kid). Now I've got the bug. Can't wait to get back underground again and OFD 2 is definitely on my hit list. What lights did you use for this vid? I took my GoPro with me and even though I got some good footage I realise I need some better lights to improve the quality.
+Ciaran Ryan Hi. I'm pleased you like the videos and have got back into caving. My GoPro is a Black Edition. This has the best low light capability of all of the GoPros. For lighting I have a 1300 lumen Scurion helmet lamp and my of the cavers in the videos have similar lights. I only use a number of 1000 lumen focusable torches. To get good underground video you need lots of light.
Nope. As someone who gets freaked out in turtlenecks, sleeping bags & MRI machines, I will just vicariously go caving with those who put vids up on RU-vid, thanks!
It's also dangerous for 5 reasons. 1: risk of getting stuck. 2: rocks might fall on you. 3: you can get lost. 4: the rocks are slippery. 5: you might fall and hit your head on a piece of rock.
Crossing the road is dangerous. You're unlikely to get stuck in a way that means you can't get out. Helmets protect you from injuries to the head. if you're unfamiliar with the route you should take a survey. If you get truly lost Cave rescue will find you. Rocks aren't very likely to fall on you unless you're standing underneath someone or you're in a dig.
Two cameras were used, a Panasonic WA10 waterproof camcorder and a GoPro Hero 3 black edition. Lighting was Scurion helmet lamps and a LED Lenser X21 focusable torch..
Awesome video, gives a great idea of what you can expect when you go caving. Are there guided tours available in the UK? And if so, which would you recommend for a first-timer?
Pleased you like the video. There are quite a few companies that offer taster caving trips. I can't recommend any particular one but you could try gocave.com, www.peakinstruction.com or www.undergroundadventures.co.uk. Keith
Excellent video, I think I subscribed around six or seven months ago, but this is the first time I've commented. Around the time I subscribed I was desperate to experience caving, and have been ever since. I attempted to contact the North Wales Caving Club via email a few months ago, but never got a reply. I'm not sure whether they're inactive, but from the look of their website it hasn't been updated in a while. Seeing this video really makes me want to have another go at getting into this. Are you aware of any groups in the North Wales area that are active and would be willing to take a novice out? Obviously I don't have any of the correct kit, so I'm concerned that this could be a problem. I live in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area, so obviously I'm near a lot of old mines which I believe are fairly popular.
What a wonderful sport, you should come visit Macedonia, a lot of unexplored caves here :) Hey, can you please tell me the name of the song from 3:11 ?
The only thing I couldn't handle with caving is the tight 9 inch squeezes. If its a wide cave with just a lot of passages I could handle it. But boy I can't handle,the squeezes.
haha ... I'm a caver and it's true. Almost all caves have at least a tight crawl somewhere. We actually walk up to people that have done the cave and ask for inspection of body type. No lie. But here's the secret ... Squishy things like big bellies, butts, and boobs can usually be forced through the squeezes. Broad shoulders, large rib cages, big hips, and all other usually positive anthropomorphic aspects involving large size are the things that will actually get you stuck. Squishy can squirt through :-)
No tyvm sweet heart's, I'll stay out here & watch you do it though , if I feel like a panic attack & or a heart attack I'll try it , but no ty ! ☕🍯🍶💖 varoom 🚲
The thing that amazes and also stumps me is how and who the f$c# is the 1st to figure out the way around. To go down these tight passages the 1st time not knowing where you going is a bit crazy.
Michael Campbell Hi. Pleased you like it. There's a lot of different music in this video. There's Rattlesnake Moan, Crystal Caverns & Floating in Space from Purple Planet royalty free music Far Out Man by Jingle Pinks, Reflections by MK2 & Frequency by Silent Partner from the RU-vid Audio Library. Finally Knicker Knacker by Yampimon.Hope I haven't missed anything out.
