Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Longtime caver, Rae Nadler-Olenick, stopped by our office recently to offer advice to beginning cavers.

The first step is to find some other cavers, because cavers are very helpful and generous in getting new cavers started.

Always go caving with a buddy, wear a hardhat, and bring three sources of light. Don’t forget water and snacks. Oh, and dress appropriately.

I would recommend the layered approach. There are various kinds of silks and different kinds of underwear, and just all different things. I dress in layers. If I expect to be cold, I might use a thermal undershirt, and then stack some t-shirts, a flannel shirt, a sweatshirt. As far as the layers are concerned, I like to wear things that can be easily tied around the waste.

Caving is a physically and mentally demanding sport; you have to think on your feet even when you’re crawling on your belly.

A lot of people in the Austin area get introduced to caving through Airman’s cave, which is an uncomfortable stoop walk much of the distance. And you’re always hearing of people getting stuck in that cave for awhile, but you don’t hear of anyone getting hurt of killed in it.

We have a list of caving groups at passporttotexas.org. (see below)

That’s our show…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Aggie Speleological Society
http://www.aggiecavers.com/

Bexar Grotto
http://www.caves.org/grotto/bexargrotto/

Cowtown Grotto
http://cowtowngrotto.org/

Dallas/Ft. Worth Grotto
http://www.dfwgrotto.org/

Greater Houston Grotto
http://greaterhoustongrotto.org/

Lubbock Area Grotto
http://www.lubbockareagrotto.org/

Maverick Grotto
http://www.maverickgrotto.org/

North East Texas Cavers
http://netcavers.org/

Permian Basin Speleological Society
http://www.caver.net/pbss/pbss.html

Underground Texas Grotto
http://www.utgrotto.org/

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