This part of The Void is always expanding. I will continue to add more information to this part of The Void as time permits.
I am a member (#45951) of the National Speleological Society, a national organization of cavers. There are also local chapters of the NSS called grottos. In Minnesota, our local grotto is called the Minnesota Speleological Survey and it is comprised of many people in the area that enjoy this unusual activity.
Caving is basically the exploration of caves, but it means a lot more to real cavers than that. There is a code of ethics and safety that every caver follows that separates them from the casual "spelunker." As a caver in Minnesota, I spend most of my time underground in southeastern Minnesota. One cave in particular is Spring Valley Caverns. Many of us lead trips into this and other caves in the area and we often bring beginners with us to teach them about caves and how to explore them safely. First-timers and inexperienced cavers require a list of items that are essential for caving in Minnesota. This provides the new caver with a comprehensive list of necessary items for safety and enjoyment. Also, there is another list floating around: Naomi's Checklist is also worth review. Feel free to explore the links below and on the side menu, but remember, "Take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints."
I am a member (#45951) of the 
