Unearthing More Than Rocks

The Beginning

This isn't an indictment of explorers, cavers, or anyone for that matter. It's the beginning of a conversation—a call for us to confront the complex ethics that underpin our community. As cavers, we share a passion for the underground world, but we rarely acknowledge the moral gray areas that come with it.

First Discovery

I remember standing with my mentor, looking at a lidar map at a kiosk that now sits in a paved parking lot, once filled with gravel and construction equipment. The map, a modern tool of exploration, was new to me, but my gut told me that the spot my mentor pointed to wasn't what we thought. A month later, I found myself standing in a small depression in the earth, with the cold air swirling around me. I returned the next day with my shovel, determined to know the truth.

"Soon after, the ground gave way to a small opening that we had never seen before. That was the start of my first significant discovery."

The Cost of Discovery

When I say soon after, I discount the hours of digging—what I call "shovel time"—spent late at night or in the rain, clawing through the earth until my skin burned.

The thrill of discovery wasn't just about finding the cave;
My mentor and I were likely the first humans to ever set foot inside that pit.
A cave that I discovered, that he had no clue about. And he had seen it all!
Or so I thought..

Ethical Considerations

In the caving world, the motto "Leave only footprints" often feels like a guideline rather than a rule. When the passage is too tight, shovels, hammers, and sometimes even more extreme methods are employed. Some see this as a necessary part of pushing boundaries, while others keep surveys and cave details hidden to protect these fragile environments from potential harm.

"The question is, where do we draw the line between safety and preservation?"

The Path Forward

This isn't just about digging; it's about grappling with the broader question of how we define right and wrong in a community where everyone operates on different principles. Some cavers are willing to dig, blast, and modify the environment in pursuit of the next big discovery. Others view these actions as a violation of the very spaces we cherish and aim to protect.

So, what's the best path forward? How do we reconcile these differing viewpoints? It's a question without a simple answer, but it's one worth exploring together. We've unearthed more than just rocks and soil; we've revealed the complex web of values and responsibilities that come with exploration.

"As a community, we must ask ourselves: are we prepared to live with what we leave behind?"