In reply to Greenbanks:
> (In reply to andy)
Bear in mind my caving was 1980's
> Do cavers:
> 1. Have guide books?
Yes, with descriptions of passages & problems (also wonderful plans of caves). Used to take waterproofed photocopies of relevant pages underground.
> 2. Wrangle about grades?
Grades exist(ed) but don't remember any controversy about them, they just gave an idea of how hard the trip might be.
> 3. Have ethical dilemmas about routes?
Maybe with reference to damage to / destruction of "pretties", ie attractive formations underground, otherwise not that I was aware of.
> 4. Have a decent website?
Not in the early 1980's! Bet they do now though.
> 5. Have equivalents of 'Hard Rock' or the 8000m peaks?
Grottes et Canyons by Pierre Minvielle was the cavers Rebuffat, all French of course. Various books of UK caves, & some brilliant books by Martyn Farr on Cave Diving, but never the UK Hard Rock equivalent IIRC
>
> etc. etc.
A good accompanying sport to climbing, more in the style of winter climbing/alpinism, less technical, but with greater objective dangers, so long as you were happy having rock above as well as in front & below.