By Hilary Edmondson

They are cool, damp and dark, and one never knows what is lurking around the next corner. People can expect to be crawling and ducking or swimming and floating in them. It is not uncommon to see large rocks protruding from all angles. And when someone takes a picture with a flash, the rocks will glow in the dark for seconds after. Many people will slip in the mud or be forced to submerge into water to get to the next room or tunnel.

Explorers live for getting down on all fours and crawling through small spaces that lead to rooms upon rooms in these amazing Wisconsin caves.

Caving, also know as spelunking, is Wisconsin’s newest – and oldest – pastime for explorers.

Caves in Wisconsin have existed for millions of years. Drawings and tools found in them prove that many prehistoric humans and animals used these caves for shelter. Today’s adventurers, however, use these caves as a newfound hobby.

Increasing Popularity

Roger Brucker, a National Speleological Society fellow and author of Cave Explorer, says caving is rapidly increasing in popularity in the United States, as reported in a Dayton Daily News interview. Brucker says this hobby appeals to people of all ages but especially young, active explorers because it is so physically strenuous. He also says women are becoming more active spelunkers because of their small size and endurance. Their weight distribution is a huge asset since caving does not require a lot of upper body strength.

Stephanie Kaufman, a member of the UW-Madison’s Hoofer Outing Club, says it is not uncommon for caving excursions to last between four and eight hours. Her last trip to Horseshoe Bay Cave in Door County lasted 11 hours. But Kaufman says those seeking the unknown will find it well worth their time.

“I go caving to do something most other people don’t do, to see things not many people see,” Kaufman says. “If you really notice details you will see small [rock] formations in the caves.”

Kaufman says she has encountered all kinds of different caves. Some are muddy, sandy or filled with water, and others require many different maneuvers to navigate. She describes the sound in caves as one of the most interesting aspects of caving. “It’s like being underwater when you are in a cave,” Kaufman says. “You can sort of hear things, but you can’t tell if a person talking is standing five feet away or 100 feet away.”

Kaufman encourages everyone to try caving, but warns people never to go alone. She says even simple injuries can be fatal due to the threat of hypothermia. Cavers may also need assistance when maneuvering through crawl spaces.

Discovering the Unknown

Click on map to find caves in Wisconsin.

Caving is all about exploring and discovering the unknown, and having the proper gear is important. Advanced cavers will bring extra headlamps, ropes, a wet suit, knee and elbow pads and a camera, but beginners can get by with just a helmet, headlamp and waterproof shoes.

The Cave of the Mounds in Crystal Cave is a great place for beginners to start. This site features guided tours for all ages, which give full explanations and histories of Wisconsin’s caves. The most common types of caves have formed from limestone over the last 4 million years. These caves form when rainwater combines with carbon dioxide to create carbon acid that runs down through joints in the rock and dissolves calcium carbonate. Over time, this process widens the joints and creates holes or pockets large enough to crawl into or walk through.

Caves have a cool, constant temperature, usually equal to the average annual temperature above ground. The Cave of the Mounds maintains a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside these caves, tunnels and passages between two and 20 feet high lead to various rooms and other parts of the cave, many of which fill with water that nearly reaches the ceiling. This is when scuba equipment becomes pertinent for cavers, as the element of underwater adventure adds a whole new dimension to their hobby.

Ethan Brodsky, UW-Madison’s Outing Club caving chair, is an experienced caver who explores both land and underwater caves. He was also part of Kaufman’s group that traveled to Horseshoe Bay. Brodsky says that the trip began with everyone dividing into groups according to how wet each person wanted to get. He opted for the route that required a wet suit. Brodsky says he was eager to explore something called the “elephant room” and beyond.

“Going beyond this room requires full-body immersion at times, so a wetsuit hood is very helpful,” he says. “Our group was able to discover the ‘waterfall room,’ an enormous chamber nearly 50 feet high.”

Brodsky describes his love for caving as a method of escape and a way to explore places beyond most people’s imaginations. He loves the physical, challenging aspects of caving, such as seeing how his body can twist. Brodsky says he enjoys every adventure caving has brought him and that it is a great sport for Wisconsinites because they can do it during any season. He says that most people actually participate more in the winter because caves rarely vary in temperature so the only limiting factor for visitors is the rise in water levels. Some caves, including Horseshoe Bay, can only be explored in winter when the water is about one to two feet high.

Brodsky also says that although caving is a relatively harmless sport, new cavers should always go with more experienced cavers.

“ The only records of injury in caves happen rarely and usually occur when someone wanders into a cave aimlessly,” he says. “It is dangerous for inexperienced people to go into caves without proper equipment or experienced cavers to guide them. People end up getting stuck or lost.” He says the only other potential dangers are bumping heads or coming face-to-face with a raccoon.

Although Wisconsin’s caves are much smaller than those in places such as Kentucky or California, they still provide satisfying adventures for today’s spelunkers. Whether exploring the unknown or escaping from the cold winter season, caving can be an activity for anyone to try. One just must be prepared to get down on all fours, get dirty and perhaps lost a few times. But frequent cave-goers guarantee a fun adventure for all those who dare to go where not many people have gone before.