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Spelunking (also known as caving) is the recreational exploration of caves. The difficulty level and danger, not unlike hiking or rock climbing, varies widely. On one end of the spectrum, there are certainly family-friendly caves that can be walked through leisurely, or even on a guided tour, using a paved path. On the other end, there are caves that can require rappelling down tens or even hundreds of feet.

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The challenges involved with spelunking, that can arise at any level of difficulty, can often include negotiating steep ascents or descents (know as pitches), tight spaces (known as squeezes) and even the possibility of cave diving. It is important to note though that while cave diving CAN be experienced during a spelunking trip, it is typically considered to be a separate activity that is far more dangerous.

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