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{{Short description|Cave with significant vertical passages}}
⚫ ].]]
] in ]]]
⚫ ]]]
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A '''pit cave''' (or '''vertical cave'''), often simply called a "pit", is a type of natural ] which is a vertical shaft rather than a horizontal cave passage. Pit caves typically form in ] as a result of long-term erosion by water. Pit caves can be open to the surface or found deep within horizontal caves. A pit is generally categorized as a vertical drop of any depth that cannot be negotiated safely without the use of ropes or ladders. A '''pit cave''', '''shaft cave''' or '''vertical cave'''—or often simply called a '''pit''' (in the US) and '''pothole''' or '''pot''' (in the UK); '''jama''' in ] scientific and colloquial vocabulary (borrowed since early research in the Western Balkan ])—is a type of ] which contains one or more significant vertical shafts rather than being predominantly a conventional horizontal cave passage. Pits typically form in ] as a result of long-term erosion by water. They can be open to the surface or found deep within horizontal caves. Among ]s, a pit is a vertical drop of any depth that cannot be negotiated safely without the use of ropes or ladders.


==Pit caving== ==Pit caving==
===Techniques===
Exploration into pit caves ("vertical ]", also called "pit caving") requires the use of equipment such as nylon kermantle rope or cable ladders. More specialized caving techniques such as the ] (SRT) are common practice and the preferred method of pit exploration for cavers worldwide. The SRT involves the use of 9-11 mm nylon static rope and mechanical descenders/ascenders. Exploration of pit caves ("vertical ]", also called "potholing" in the UK and "pit caving" in US English) requires the use of equipment such as nylon ] or cable ladders. The specialized caving techniques of ] (SRT) are common practice and the preferred method of pit exploration for cavers worldwide. SRT involves the use of 8–11 mm nylon static rope and mechanical descenders/ascenders.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}


Vertical caving is a specialized sport that should be undertaken only after acquiring knowledge of, and expertise in, proper vertical caving equipment and its use. For obvious reasons, vertical caving is more dangerous than "horizontal caving". Vertical caving requires the intimate understanding of ropes, knots, anchors, rappelling devices and ascending systems. Veteran cavers typically are knowledgeable in self rescue techniques including change-overs (the act of switching from rappel to climb while on rope) and pick-offs (the act of rescuing a stranded caver from his rope and returning him to the ground). Vertical caving is a specialized sport that should be undertaken only after acquiring knowledge of, and expertise in, proper vertical caving equipment and its use. For obvious reasons, vertical caving is more dangerous than "horizontal caving". Vertical caving requires an understanding of ropes, knots, anchors, abseiling/] devices and ascending systems, and techniques for passing rebelays, deviations, knot passes (where two ropes are joined mid-hang) and changeovers (the act of switching from rappel to climb, or vice versa, whilst on rope). Experienced cavers are typically knowledgeable in self-rescue techniques such as rigging pulley-jammers and doing pick-offs (the act of rescuing a stranded caver from his rope and returning him/her to the ground).{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}


==History of vertical caving== ===History===
{{more citations needed|section|date=April 2020}}
Pit caving was pioneered by British ] ] (c. 1650–1731) who gave an account of his descent into ] to the ] in 1681.<ref>'Your Flexible Friend ... the Ladder'' by Dave Irwin in ''Belfry Bulletin: Journal of the Bristol Exploration Club'', Autumn 2007, Number 529 Vol 36 No 3</ref> French caver ] (1859-1938) first achieved the descent and exploration of the ], France, as early as 1889 and the first complete descent of a {{convert|110|m|ft|sing=on|sp=en}} wet vertical shaft at ], in ], England, in 1895. He developed his own techniques using ropes and metallic ladders. In the 1930s, as caving became increasingly popular in France, several clubs in the ] made vertical cave exploration into a recognized outdoor sport. Pit caving was pioneered by the English ] ] (c. 1650–1731) who gave an account of his descent into ] to the ] in 1681.<ref>"Your Flexible Friend ... the Ladder", by Dave Irwin in ''Belfry Bulletin: Journal of the Bristol Exploration Club'', Autumn 2007, Number 529, Vol. 36, No. 3</ref> French caver ] (1859–1938) first achieved the descent and exploration of the ], France, as early as 1889 and the first complete descent of a {{convert|110|m|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} wet vertical shaft at ], in ], England, in 1895. He developed his own techniques using ropes and metallic ladders. In the 1930s, as caving became increasingly popular in France, several clubs in the ] developed vertical cave exploration into a recognized outdoor sport.


During World War II, a team composed by ], ], ] and others explored the Dent de ] cave system near ], France, which became the deepest known cave in the world ({{convert|658|m|ft|sp=fr}}) at that time. The lack of available technical equipment during the war forced Chevalier and his team to innovate and develop their own. The scaling-pole (1940), nylon ropes (1942), use of explosives in caves (1947) and mechanical rope-ascenders (]'s "monkeys", first used by Chevalier and Brenot in a cave in 1934) can be traced historically to the exploration of the ] cave system. During World War II, a team composed of ], ], Charles Petit-Didier and others explored the ] cave system near ], France. It became known as the deepest cave in the world ({{convert|658|m|ft|abbr=on}}) at that time. The lack of available technical equipment during the war forced Chevalier and his team to innovate and develop their own. The scaling-pole (1940), nylon ropes (1942), use of explosives in caves (1947), and mechanical rope ascenders (Henri Brenot's "monkeys", first used by Chevalier and Brenot in a cave in 1934) can be traced historically to the exploration of the ] cave system.


In the late 1950s, American caver ], known as "Vertical Bill", developed the ] (SRT) in the US. In 1958, two Swiss alpinists, Juesi and Marti teamed up, creating the first rope ascender known as the ]. In 1968, ] asked Petzl, who worked as a metals machinist, to build a rope-ascending tool, today known as the ], that he had developed by adapting the ] to the specificity of pit caving. Pursuing these developments, in the 1970s ] started a small caving equipment manufacturing company ], which is today a world leader in equipment for both caving, mountaineering and at-height safety in civil engineering. The development of the ] and the evolution of mechanical ascension systems, notably helped extend the practice and safety of pit exploration to a larger venue of established cavers. In the late 1950s, American caver Bill Cuddington further developed the ] (SRT) in the United States. In 1958, two Swiss alpinists, Juesi and Marti, teamed up, creating the first rope ascender, known as the ]. In 1968, Bruno Dressler asked Petzl, who worked as a metals machinist, to build a rope-ascending tool, today known as the ], which he had developed by adapting the ] to the specificity of pit caving. Pursuing these developments, in the 1970s Fernand Petzl started a small caving equipment manufacturing company. The development of the ] and the evolution of mechanical ascension systems, notably helped extend the practice and safety of pit exploration to a larger practice by established cavers.


==Notable pit caves and underground pitches== ==Notable pit caves and underground pitches==
===Europe===
*The deepest individual ] (vertical drop) within a cave is {{convert|603|m|sp=us}} in ] in ].
*The second deepest pitch is ] at {{convert|553|m|sp=en}} in the ] mountain, ]. *The deepest individual ] (vertical drop) within a cave is {{convert|603|m|abbr=on}} in ] in ].
*Sótano de Las Golondrinas ("]"), ], ], at {{convert|1094|ft|m|sp=us}}, is the world's deepest freefall drop. *The second deepest pitch is ] at {{convert|553|m|abbr=on}} in the ] mountain, ].
*], ], ], USA, at {{convert|598.3|ft|m|sp=us}} is the deepest vertical shaft in the United States. *], ], England, was entered by a {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} pitch as early as the 17th century.
*], Czech Republic, is the deepest underwater cave in the world, the lowest confirmed depth (as of August 2022) is {{convert|519.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} (450 m under the water level),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/activities/caving-and-canyoneering/deepest-underwater-cave-discovered/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001101651/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/activities/caving-and-canyoneering/deepest-underwater-cave-discovered/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2016| title=Exclusive: Deepest Underwater Cave Discovered|website=] }}</ref> the expected depth is 700–800 m.
⚫ *Fantastic Pit, ], ], USA, at {{convert|586|ft|m|sp=us}} is the deepest freefall pit in the lower 48 United States.
*], Italy, is the world's second deepest underwater pit cave, the deepest part reached (as of October 2014) is {{convert|392|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
⚫ *Stupendous Pit, Rumbling Falls Cave, ], USA, is a {{convert|202|ft|sp=us|sing=on}} pit that drops into a {{convert|26|acre|m2|sing=on|sp=us}} chamber.
*], ], ], has a depth of {{convert|-1733|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="cds74">{{cite web|language=en|url=http://cds74.free.fr/decouvre/record.html|title=Complément d'information sur le nouveau record du monde de profondeur de spéléologie (january 2003)|access-date=2023-10-20}}</ref>
⚫ *], ], USA, has a {{convert|154|ft|sp=us|sing=on}} entrance drop and was the site of development of the single rope technique in the 1950s and 60s.

⚫ *Natural Trap Cave, located in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, is {{convert|85|ft|sp=us}} deep and home to one of the largest fossil finds in North America.
===United States===
*], ], England, was entered by a {{convert|25|m|ft|sing=on|sp=en}} pitch as early as the 17th century.
*El Capitan Pit, ], ], USA, at {{convert|598.3|ft|m|abbr=on}} is the deepest vertical shaft in the United States.
⚫ *Fantastic Pit, ], ], USA, at {{convert|586|ft|m|abbr=on}} is the deepest freefall pit in the lower 48 United States.
⚫ *Stupendous Pit, Rumbling Falls Cave, ], USA, is a {{convert|202|ft|abbr=on}} pit that drops into a {{convert|26|acre|m2|abbr=on}} chamber.
⚫ *], ], USA, has a {{convert|154|ft|abbr=on}} entrance drop and was the site of development of the single rope technique in the 1950s and '60s.
⚫ *], located in the ] of ], is {{convert|85|ft|abbr=on}} deep and home to one of the largest fossil discoveries in North America.

===Mexico===
*Sótano de Las Golondrinas ("]"), ], Mexico, at {{convert|333.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, is the deepest known freefall drop in the western hemisphere.
*Cenote Poza El ], ], Mexico, is the world's deepest ] at {{convert|339|m|ft|abbr=on}}

===China===
] announced that in ] ] 49 pit caves have been found.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} The largest one is {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter. The caves are in pristine condition, as they lie in inaccessible mountains.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://article.wn.com/view/2016/11/28/6000yearold_pentagon_house_discovered_in_China/|title=6 000-year-old pentagon house discovered in China|website=article.wn.com}}</ref>
* Tian Xing, China, is the deepest known Chinese pit at {{convert|-1026|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Fluted pothole - geograph.org.uk - 116344.jpg|Fluted pothole, ]
File:Cave PP2.jpg|Pit cave PP2, ]
File:Archbald Pothole State Park 5.jpg|Cave in ], United States
</gallery>


==See also== ==See also==
*]s and ]s (vertical cave ] filled with water)
*]
*]
*] *]
*]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}


{{Caves}} {{Caves}}
{{Subterranea}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Pit Cave}}
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] ]
]

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Latest revision as of 00:29, 18 December 2024

Cave with significant vertical passages
Benagil pit cave near Marinha Beach in Lagoa, Portugal
A caver rappelling into Mexico's enormous pit cave, Sotano de las Golondrinas
Pit cave Haviareň, Little Carpathians

A pit cave, shaft cave or vertical cave—or often simply called a pit (in the US) and pothole or pot (in the UK); jama in Slavic languages scientific and colloquial vocabulary (borrowed since early research in the Western Balkan Dinaric Alpine karst)—is a type of cave which contains one or more significant vertical shafts rather than being predominantly a conventional horizontal cave passage. Pits typically form in limestone as a result of long-term erosion by water. They can be open to the surface or found deep within horizontal caves. Among cavers, a pit is a vertical drop of any depth that cannot be negotiated safely without the use of ropes or ladders.

Pit caving

Techniques

Exploration of pit caves ("vertical caving", also called "potholing" in the UK and "pit caving" in US English) requires the use of equipment such as nylon kernmantle rope or cable ladders. The specialized caving techniques of single rope technique (SRT) are common practice and the preferred method of pit exploration for cavers worldwide. SRT involves the use of 8–11 mm nylon static rope and mechanical descenders/ascenders.

Vertical caving is a specialized sport that should be undertaken only after acquiring knowledge of, and expertise in, proper vertical caving equipment and its use. For obvious reasons, vertical caving is more dangerous than "horizontal caving". Vertical caving requires an understanding of ropes, knots, anchors, abseiling/rappelling devices and ascending systems, and techniques for passing rebelays, deviations, knot passes (where two ropes are joined mid-hang) and changeovers (the act of switching from rappel to climb, or vice versa, whilst on rope). Experienced cavers are typically knowledgeable in self-rescue techniques such as rigging pulley-jammers and doing pick-offs (the act of rescuing a stranded caver from his rope and returning him/her to the ground).

History

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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Pit caving was pioneered by the English geologist John Beaumont (c. 1650–1731) who gave an account of his descent into Lamb Leer Cavern to the Royal Society in 1681. French caver Édouard-Alfred Martel (1859–1938) first achieved the descent and exploration of the Gouffre de Padirac, France, as early as 1889 and the first complete descent of a 110 m (360 ft) wet vertical shaft at Gaping Gill, in Yorkshire, England, in 1895. He developed his own techniques using ropes and metallic ladders. In the 1930s, as caving became increasingly popular in France, several clubs in the Alps developed vertical cave exploration into a recognized outdoor sport.

During World War II, a team composed of Pierre Chevalier, Fernand Petzl, Charles Petit-Didier and others explored the Dent de Crolles cave system near Grenoble, France. It became known as the deepest cave in the world (658 m (2,159 ft)) at that time. The lack of available technical equipment during the war forced Chevalier and his team to innovate and develop their own. The scaling-pole (1940), nylon ropes (1942), use of explosives in caves (1947), and mechanical rope ascenders (Henri Brenot's "monkeys", first used by Chevalier and Brenot in a cave in 1934) can be traced historically to the exploration of the Dent de Crolles cave system.

In the late 1950s, American caver Bill Cuddington further developed the single rope technique (SRT) in the United States. In 1958, two Swiss alpinists, Juesi and Marti, teamed up, creating the first rope ascender, known as the Jumar. In 1968, Bruno Dressler asked Petzl, who worked as a metals machinist, to build a rope-ascending tool, today known as the Petzl Croll, which he had developed by adapting the Jumar to the specificity of pit caving. Pursuing these developments, in the 1970s Fernand Petzl started a small caving equipment manufacturing company. The development of the rappel rack and the evolution of mechanical ascension systems, notably helped extend the practice and safety of pit exploration to a larger practice by established cavers.

Notable pit caves and underground pitches

Europe

  • The deepest individual pitch (vertical drop) within a cave is 603 m (1,978 ft) in Vrtoglavica Cave in Slovenia.
  • The second deepest pitch is Patkov Gušt at 553 m (1,814 ft) in the Velebit mountain, Croatia.
  • Lamb Leer, Somerset, England, was entered by a 25 m (82 ft) pitch as early as the 17th century.
  • Hranice Abyss, Czech Republic, is the deepest underwater cave in the world, the lowest confirmed depth (as of August 2022) is 519.5 m (1,704 ft) (450 m under the water level), the expected depth is 700–800 m.
  • Pozzo del Merro, Italy, is the world's second deepest underwater pit cave, the deepest part reached (as of October 2014) is 392 m (1,286 ft).
  • Gouffre Mirolda, Haute-Savoie, France, has a depth of −1,733 m (−5,686 ft).

United States

  • El Capitan Pit, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, USA, at 598.3 ft (182.4 m) is the deepest vertical shaft in the United States.
  • Fantastic Pit, Ellisons Cave System, Georgia, USA, at 586 ft (179 m) is the deepest freefall pit in the lower 48 United States.
  • Stupendous Pit, Rumbling Falls Cave, Tennessee, USA, is a 202 ft (62 m) pit that drops into a 26 acres (110,000 m) chamber.
  • Hellhole, West Virginia, USA, has a 154 ft (47 m) entrance drop and was the site of development of the single rope technique in the 1950s and '60s.
  • Natural Trap Cave, located in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, is 85 ft (26 m) deep and home to one of the largest fossil discoveries in North America.

Mexico

China

CCTV announced that in Shaanxi Province 49 pit caves have been found. The largest one is 500 m (1,600 ft) in diameter. The caves are in pristine condition, as they lie in inaccessible mountains.

  • Tian Xing, China, is the deepest known Chinese pit at −1,026 m (−3,366 ft).

Gallery

See also

References

  1. "Your Flexible Friend ... the Ladder", by Dave Irwin in Belfry Bulletin: Journal of the Bristol Exploration Club, Autumn 2007, Number 529, Vol. 36, No. 3
  2. "Exclusive: Deepest Underwater Cave Discovered". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016.
  3. "Complément d'information sur le nouveau record du monde de profondeur de spéléologie (january 2003)". Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  4. "6 000-year-old pentagon house discovered in China". article.wn.com.

External links

Media related to Pit caves at Wikimedia Commons

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