SMAC WORLD

CAVING - spelunking

This part of the site is under construction. If you would to have the club add something to this section please forward your information to �Paul Piorkowski
Karst
Karst is a term that was first applied to a plateau region of the Dinaric Alps in Yugoslavia. It is now used to describe similar regions throughout the world that have features formed largely by underground drainage. Karst terrains are characterized by caves, steep valleys, sinkholes, and a general lack of surface streams because drainage is underground. A consequence of this is not only a very interesting landscape (caves have fascinated people for millennia) with unusual habitats for plants and animals, but special problems in water supply, waste disposal, construction, and other land uses. What does this have to do with Michigan, a land literally scoured by glaciers, a land covered with glacial clay, sand and gravel? Surprisingly, Michigan contains some areas of true karst. They are limited in extent, but this rarity increases their interest and importance. There is also considerable variety in Michigan karst areas: gypsum karst is found in Kent and Iosco counties; a significant amount of surface drainage goes underground in Monroe County, and reappears at "blue holes" in Lake Erie; spectacular sinkholes and earth cracks are found in Alpena and Presque Isle counties; and the broad band of outcrops of the Niagara Escarpment in the Upper Peninsula hosts a number of karst sinks, springs and caves.
Cave Terminology	Passageways and Techniques
Calcium Carbonate - Deposited by water filtering through upper soil to grow formations Cave Pearls - small spherical calcite deposites usually found in pools Columns - a Stalactite and Stalagmite that have joined to form one continous formation Curtains/Drapery/Cave Bacon - thin sheets of wavey stalactites. Flowstone - deposited by sheets of water gently washing over cave walls and floors Grotto - A small cave (the official NSS name given to a caving chapter or club) Rimstone Dams - stair-stepped pools made by cascading waterfalls Soda Straws - approx. 1/4" diameter hollow stalactites Stalactites - forms from ceiling down (Hang "Tight" from one) Stalagmites - forms from floor up	Belly Crawls - Passages from about 10 inches to 2 feet in height that require a lot of squirming. Breakdown - Areas where the ceiling has collapsed covering the floor with mounds of debris that need to be scrambled over. Avoid if unstable. Cave Walking - Passages 4 to 6 feet high walked with some stooping Chimmney - vertical shafts 2 to 3 feet in diameter that can be climbed when you wedge yourself with your back against one side and your knees against the other. Crawling - Passages 2 to 4 feet tall where you're usually on all fours Scramble - When a passage is too steep to walk but not steep enough to require rock climbing techniques (generally less than 45 degrees). It includes walking, climbing, sliding, bridging and jamming meneuvers. Squeeze - Short spots where sucking in your stomach is required to make yourself thinner Sump - A passage that continues underwater Tight Squeeze - Short spots where exhaling and compressing your ribs is required to make yourself even thinner Twilight Zone - That area just inside the mouth of the cave where life forms transition from those that live partially outside of the cave and those that live exclusively inside. Walkway - Nearly horizontal standing room passages
Basic Caving Gear List
� Sturdy boots with good tread and ankle support. Gym shoes tend to be too slippery in the mud. Jungle Boots have vents to let any water out. � Climbing helmet, Hard hat or Bicycle helmet with chinstrap. Hard Hat rims can be cut back for better sight distance. � Three (3) sources of light for backup; (ie. carbide lamp, electric headlamp, flashlight, candle, glowstick) Primary light source securely mounted to helmet Coveralls or old jeans � Warm Sweatshirt or Flannel Shirt � Shoulder pack/Book Bag/Small Back Pack � Gatorade or canteen of water			� Foodin watertight container � Extra batteries, bulbs, matches and carbide in watertight container (carbide lamp repair kits are avaliable) � Baggie w/ popsicle stick to clean and store spent carbide (Leave baggie slightly open to allow residual gas release) � Gloves, knee pads, pocket knife � Full change of clothes and extra shoes for ride back � Plastic Garbage bag for muddy cave clothes � Small personal First Aid kit/Space blanket/Medications � Compass, waterproof notebook and pencil
Grottos In Or Near Michigan
Detroit Urban Grotto Michigan Interlakes Grotto Michigan Karst Conservancy Pinckney Area Grotto West Michigan Grotto Illinois Speleological Survey		Windy City Grotto The Sub-Urban Chicago Grotto INDIANA KARST CONSERVANCY Northern Indiana Grotto Saint Joseph Valley Grotto Wisconsin Speleological Society
American Cave Conservation Association