Why do people enjoy caving?

Answer 1

Some people do it for thrill, fun or excersize. Others just for a sake of exploration.

I'd put that rather diminishing adjective "just" in the first sentence. Those who try caving "just" for a "thrill" or exercise don't stay in it for long. Apart from gaining the dilettante little respect, it's no longer a cheap pursuit. Yes, as cavers* we all cave for "fun" - in so far as caving is a hobby so carried out for enjoyment of both personal challenge and aesthetic appreciation of, and respect for, caves.

Exploration in its strict sense goes further.

It combines the enjoyment of caves and caving with a desire to find "new" caves, or extensions to already-known ones. Allied to this, is speleology - the scientific study of caves and their contents including wildlife; and this is carried out by a mixture of professional and amateur scientisis whose hobby is caving. After all you can't study a cave if you can't negotiate its obstacles!

*"Cavers" - NOT "spelunkers!". I know the second is US slang but have no idea whence it came. However I have recently been told, rightly or not, that it was coined as a derogatory term for novices and dilettantes. A British equivalent thankfully rarely heard now was "weegee" or "weege".

Answer 2

People enjoy caving because:

• There is lots of interesting formations (like moon milk and stalagmites and stalactites, etc.....)
• You have an interesting adventure.

Answer 3

If you were refering to splunking a cave, its where you explore one.