My first caving experience, beyond public tours, was as part of a NSS-lead project to remove graffiti from a small cave in southern Indiana on property recently acquired by the NSS. The cave entrance is impressive and big enough to drive a bus into, but almost immediatly funnels down to a 700 foot long crawl-way on average about 2 feet high and 6 feet wide. Our task was to haul a sand blaster and bags of sand through said crawl-way. It was torture, but I loved every minute of it!

@mattmcneer4063

Жыл бұрын

I know the cave you were in. Thank you for removing that graffiti it looks so much better than what it did in the 80s. I always roll through that crawl section cuz I'm lazy

This is a great video! I got into caving originally by studying bats. The underground world is absolutely remarkable.

I've seen videos and documentaries and eventually fell in love with caves, but I think if it wasn't for your channel, Derek, I wouldn't have aspired to become a caver. It has grown into something i dream of doing and I hope one day to explore many caves. Thank you so much for what you have done Derek!

what a great video, best one out there

Your video is fantastic! The lighting, and overall quality is great.

@DerekBristol

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I was always a backpacker type and never considered caving. One of my favorite getaways was the Carlsbad Caverns NP backcountry. Most visitors come to see the Caverns and very few venture into the backcountry because trails are mostly undeveloped and the landscape is harsh and rugged with few water sources. So it's a great sanctuary to escape from the human race. In 1982, I signed up with the VIP program to work mostly in the backcountry. But after moving in up on the hill, I also started doing some cave restoration projects with Ron Kerbo and other volunteers. It was a really great experience. Never did any serious technical caving, but got to work in parts of the Caverns like Left Hand Tunnel and Lake of The Clouds that at the time were off-limits to visitors. And of course, Kerbo's first unsuccessful attempt to float balloons up to the ceiling at Top of the Cross. He was quite a character. Also met some great people from CRF and NSS. But I never did take it to the next level after my volunteer stint ended. I kind of regret that, but life is what it is. Now I'm getting too old to do any of it. But I still have those great memories and glad I had the opportunity to experience caving with some of the top people in the field at the time. And also have your great videos to take me to places I never otherwise would see. Thanks.

@DerekBristol

4 жыл бұрын

Cool story. Ron is retired now but still inspiring exploration. While it isn't identified, much of the content for this video was captured in Carlsbad Caverns NP.

I'm too young to like go caving in more than toured caves but it seems really cool and I just think of it as were already on a rock going through space why not explore

Nicely done, Derek

Great introductory video!

@angeldvega4862

4 жыл бұрын

We should have something like this...

@espeleopr8683

4 жыл бұрын

@@angeldvega4862 let's do one in spanish!

cave of the winds at 6:15? haha didnt expect to see one of the few cave tours i have been on to show up in the video

Nice work as usual! Would love to see a video on caving boots. Think that's the hardest thing for me to find a good balance on as a caver! Stay safe

@toruko-ishibravo2zulu679

4 жыл бұрын

I can recommend Cofra Thermic. Made in Italy. Based on a design approved by the CCCP for world domination. Still employed in Eastern Europe and Asia. For heavy industry and as issued for Spetsnaz . Several color choices. The largest mud lug soles you'll find. Has armor to deter lower limb injury. My retailer was based in New York State. Also used for snake protection, off-road motorcycling, and winter applications. 2019 price was $125.

Beautifully shot and narrated! I will have to share this video with those who always ask “why do you do it? Where’s the fun?”

@DerekBristol

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Josh! Yeah, my editorial team (caving friends) told me this video wasn't realistic, and that anyone who watches it and then starts caving is going to be very disappointed, but it's hard to know if someone will enjoy caving until they try it.

@JoshBrinson

4 жыл бұрын

Some cavers are so weird about new people joining the sport. This is part of the problem I have with grottos. They have become almost a secret society with closed doors.

@DerekBristol

4 жыл бұрын

@@JoshBrinson Yep, not all but some don't want to encourage new cavers. There was a time when caving was growing rapidly in popularity and the concern was that caves would exceed their carrying capacity and this would lead to their destruction. Currently the number of cavers is on the decline and we are losing our voice and influence when it comes to policy making. I'm all for encouraging and promoting responsible caving.

@JoshBrinson

4 жыл бұрын

Derek Bristol I agree wholeheartedly.

Wow great video! And great music, very fitting. Wonder what track it is

Dereck Bristol man can you do a video of how people explore and enter a new unknown cave systems which no one ever step in or know about 'entering 'exit or what the risk for the first person expedition..is there any documentary about this

This is great! Do you have any videos on your lighting setup for cave videography? I can never seem to get it right

@DerekBristol

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing yet. At some point I'll do a tutorial on cave videography. I'm mostly using Zebralights for video lighting. Typically at ~1,000 lumen output using a flood pattern and high CRI LEDs.

Nice Video, Derek! You should list the caves in the "about" I bet cavers would love to know which were seen here and which of their old favorites made the cut. Also: what is the story with the hair pulled out through the helmet vent hole at 4:09?!?!?

@DerekBristol

4 жыл бұрын

Hopefully I won't get in too much trouble for naming the caves... I added them to the description. Roughly 40 different cavers are featured, who I won't name. Rene is a trend-setter in more ways than one.

@stephengladieux7380

4 жыл бұрын

@@DerekBristol Fantastic! I wondered on a few of those. I'll take your side if hordes show up at your door claiming you said "cave" out loud. Rene !

After more than a half century of caving my problem is finding caving that my aging body can do to assist other explorers. I go there finding new caves by shoveling. Outside or inside caves. Using different methods. When I then cap using stones to keep a wild thang out. In recent years that's been bears and skunks.

This should be shown in schools! Quick question Caver is generally an American thing? Don’t Cavers out side the USA refers to them selves as spelunkers? Or do I have that mixed up?

@toruko-ishibravo2zulu679

4 жыл бұрын

Organized cavers tend to rescue spelunkers. Reverse is quite rare. Because the former are encouraged to qualify for SPAR training after vertical training and cave applications. I've rescued spelunkers. And, assisted their body recovery. I was called a cave diver by citizens of Micronesia. Saw no spelunkers at the Blue Mountains of Australia or walking with sharks in sea caves outside Sydney. On a pub crawl the cavers said I was a 'Proper Yank' and that's all there was to it.

Nah, I think I'll let you do it for me, and I'll just watch the video with full freedom of movement.