Riverside resident Mike Hood is a charter member of DUG and a past president of the National Speleological Society. Hood has been caving for more than four decades.
“I grew up in Southern Indiana and, when I was 14, my family started dragging me to caves,” he said.
It wasn’t long, however, before Hood was hooked.
“I found it fascinating – it’s a totally different environment, a different world,” Hood said. “The sense of exploration, not knowing what’s around the next corner, is very exciting.”
CAVING BASICS
Caving – also referred to as spelunking – is the exploration of non-commercial cave systems. There are no wide staircases, brightly lit pathways or gift shops. Caving can involve climbing and crawling, getting wet and muddy can be part of the adventure.
“You can make it as easy or as hard as you want to,” Hood said. “It’s like running. You can go for a one-mile fun run or you can run a marathon.”
Caves with guided tours can give you a taste of the fascinating underground world at a leisurely pace and with little exertion. If that taste leaves you hungry for more, caving might be for you.
Beginners might start with some crawling, while experienced cavers may rappel into 1,000-foot pit to begin their adventure.
“Hard-core caving can take a lot of endurance and stamina,” Hood said. “You could be down there for 18-20 hours, it can be really rigorous.”
But it doesn’t have to be.
“We have members from about 19 or 20 years old to well into their 80s,” Hood said. “There are no special qualifications. Anyone who is interested can do it.”
GETTING STARTED
Think caving might be for you? Taking a trip with Dayton Underground Grotto members is a great way to find out. DUG members go caving primarily in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama and Georgia, as well as Ohio.
DUG has some extra gear, so first-timers don’t have to make a financial investment before they know if it’s for them. If it is an activity you want to pursue, a basic caving helmet and light will be among your first purchases.
Regular grotto meetings are open to anyone and are held on the second Sunday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Stebbins High School Student Activity Center – the next meeting is Sept. 11. More information can also be found on the DUG website at www.dugcaves.com/ or on the Dayton Underground Grotto Facebook page.
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