Various types of extreme tourism have recently become more and more popular with lovers of pristine nature.
Speleotourism is one of the most dangerous, but exciting types of tourism, to match only the strong spirit of travelers. Visiting the hollow cavities of the earth's crust, called caves, is permeated with special mysticism. The beauty of the inner relief of rocks, lakes and waterfalls leaves a lasting impression. Only on the underground route can you experience the special energy of our planet.
Features
Speleotourism is considered to be a type of sports tourism. The presence of great risks, the need for special training and professional equipment are associated with its features.
The main risks are:
- with the complexity of the terrain, it is due to the presence of dangerous places and zones, such as rubble, bottlenecks, underground rivers, wells;
- lack of communication with the outside world;
- lack of sunlight;
- with the lack of the ability to use traditional methods of orientation on the ground;
- with harsh environmental conditions: high humidity and low temperature.
To go through underground routes, you need to know not only the safety rules, but also have all the skills to use equipment, techniques of underground orientation, and also have good physical preparation.
Goals
A visit to the underground natural landscapes was originally associated with great curiosity of novice tourists. The first acquaintance with the inaccessible world takes place on specially equipped routes with a reduced level of difficulty. Cognitive speleotourism is a guided tour of tourists in shallow caves with reduced complexity of routes and short time.
Having experienced the magic of beauty and energy once, the desire to return to the underworld among many beginners is growing uncontrollably. Many take the path of sports overcoming more difficult and dangerous routes. Like any sport, it has its own classification system for sports achievements. All of them are connected with the level of difficulty in passing underground routes.
Kinds
Based on their goals and features of speleotourism, it can be divided into three components:
- informative;
- sports;
- research.
The third component is associated with studies of the upper layers of the earth's crust for scientific purposes. How speleology differs from speleotourism in that underground expeditions are connected with the study of the landscape of caves, the collection of scientific facts, which will subsequently be generalized and analyzed. And caving is associated with overcoming routes of varying difficulty with the goal of sporting achievement.
Difficulty categories
All listed types of speleotourism are associated with the level of obstacles and travel time, as well as the number and complexity of sports equipment.
There is a classification according to the categories of caving routes:
The first is well-equipped routes to shallow caves. Travel time up to 12 hours. This category is available for beginners, all sporting achievements in speleotourism begin with it.
The second - the route has terrain difficulties for passing in the form of blockages and siphons, sections with underwater rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The time to overcome such a route is up to 16 hours.
The third is the presence of all types of cave relief, the need for special equipment and the duration of passage from one to several days.
Fourth - includes overcoming all possible levels of the underground relief using all types of equipment, including scuba gear, poles and assault ladders. Such routes may take up to 2 weeks. They require an athlete to have good physical and professional training.
The fifth is the most difficult category. The lack of knowledge of the entire route has the highest level of danger. Connected with the creation of underground camps. The duration of the underground expedition is more than 2 weeks.
The dangers of cave relief
Speleotourism is one of the most dangerous types of tourism associated with the features of the cave relief.
The most frequent obstacles on the way are collapses. They can arise from the slightest vibration. The density of underground soil decreases during the rainy season and can cause landslides. This is very unsafe, especially in poorly studied areas.
Flooding during rains can make the easiest route impassable. The suddenness of flooding can overtake in poorly studied places and requires knowledge of special measures and equipment in such extreme situations.
Orientation difficulties. If you do not follow the basic principles of orientation in the caves, you can easily get lost. It is important to use route diagrams and you need to constantly check with the markers indicated in them, this will be the key to successful passage of the route.
High humidity, terrain difficulties and carelessness of a tourist can lead to a fall or a breakdown. When planning a route, equipment is carefully selected that can reduce this type of risk.
The cavities of the upper layers of the earth's crust can have not only the risks of flooding, but also the risks of increased gas contamination. It is necessary to control the level of carbon dioxide and methane. Its increased concentration in the air is extremely unsafe for life.
Basic safety principles
Their observance will save lives and avoid unpleasant and dangerous situations:
- It is forbidden to go down into the cave alone.
- Mandatory personal protective equipment and safety systems.
- It is impossible to disassemble the rubble without additional preliminary study by specialists.
- Movement should be slow and quiet. The slightest vibration can affect safety.
Equipment
To overcome all the difficulties on the way, you need special equipment for speleotourism. Each developed route of the first and second categories clearly defines the set of necessary equipment, taking into account all possible risks. Little explored cave locations require an extra supply of equipment to ensure safety.
Depending on the purpose and category of difficulty, each tourist should have protective equipment to ensure life. These include special shoes and clothing with a high level of heat and hydro impermeability. Helmets are required to protect the head. Without a reliable and powerful flashlight, it is impossible to pass even the simplest exploratory route.
To overcome the route of the second category of difficulty, you will already need a tent, cooking facilities, a sleeping bag, a first-aid kit, and special means of communication between group members.
The second category of equipment includes vehicles.
To the third - equipment and instruments for research. They are used, as a rule, only in scientific expeditions.
Speleotourists training
Speleotourism is a type of tourism that requires special training. It should be carried out previously according to a special program. The preparation includes a theoretical course and practical training. The study of the theory of safe advancement along the relief of caves is a prerequisite. It includes the study of possible risks and ways to reduce or eliminate them. Physical training is associated with the development of skills in the use of safety equipment when traveling on mountain slopes. Such practical training includes climbing.
The development of speleotourism in Russia
The Ministry of Nature of the Russian Federation completed the formation of advisory forms for the promotion of speleotourism. The government is seriously engaged in the revival of this fascinating type of tourism and sport. At this stage, a detailed concept is being developed, which will be further implemented through special sources of federal funding. Landscaped caves with all security measures and means can be the beginning of a massive influx of domestic and foreign tourists into the speleotourism of Russia. Sochi National Park may become a launching platform in this direction. The Ministry of Nature has high hopes for the speleotourism potential of Crimea. The Onyx Tour speleotourism center already offers fascinating programs for mass visits to Crimean caves for adults and children.
But do not forget that caving is a very dangerous type of tourism, which can end in very dire consequences. Therefore, before spending time somewhere in a cave, think a hundred times - do you need it?