Active Vocabulary:

accomplish ascent

artificial wall

artificial practice wall

be home to smb

be in the blood and soul of smb.

be interpreted in an innovative way

bear witness

bivouac

build up ability

climber

crag

crown the landscape

exercise one’s body

gnome

go rock climbing

grow into a sports phenomenon

in the rapport with

indoor facilities

ingrained element

lateral

lift gaze

loom

maintain smth.

measure oneself against smth.

mild climate

mountaineer

natural training ground

profound meaning

rapport

repute

rock face

run smth.

sharpen up one’s approach to

sheer cliff

spirit

take root

unapproachable

understand the limit

venture out

Potholing and caving

Warm-up Activities.

Can you guess the meaning of the word “potholing”?

Which associations do you have with the word “caver”?

Think of as many words as possible related to the theme “cave”.

Text 1.

Cave exploring, or caving, is the recreational companion of speleology, which is the scientific study of natural caves. Caving enthusiasts call themselves "cavers", rather than "spelunkers" which is a term often used by noncavers.

Nowadays the term “potholing in caves” is also widely used to denote going down into the bowels of the earth to admire the unreal, magical landscapes dominated by complete silence and by the magical constructions formed over millions of years by the workings of water.

Interest in caving and potholing is growing worldwide, partially due to the continuing concern for health, fitness and the environment, and a growing demand for outdoor experiences with an educational purpose. Perhaps the caver's greatest motivation is the thrill of original discovery. The remotest corners of the globe have been observed by satellite technology, yet there is no alternative to personal investigation of caves. Most cavers are drawn by the potential for discovering new caves or finding new extensions to known caves, but some simply enjoy the solitude and beauty of the underground wilderness. Others enjoy the camaraderie of caving, which can be a rewarding group activity as the physical and technical challenges can demand concentrated team work.

For some, caves are objects of study, to be entered as much for scientific examination of underground features as for pleasure. Natural caves may be studied for their archaeology, ecology, biology, cartography, history, geology, minerology and hydrology, to name but a few research disciplines.

Besides the growing number people caving for recreation and research, there are many of those who enter caves as casual visitors. Indeed, the growth of "wild cave" tourism, a form of commercial recreation, has paralleled that of caving, and several commercial operators offer guided tours. Now the average person can enjoy an activity that he or she may have missed through lack of experience, skills, equipment or leadership. Present day caving gives possibility to live unforgettable experience in complete safety by taking the necessary precautions for this unusual environment.

Hazards can include flooding, rock instability, falls, getting stuck, getting lost, light failure, exhaustion, and hypothermia. Depending on the level of difficulty and the length of the cave visited, caving can be a strenuous activity requiring reasonably good fitness and health. Casual exploration of simple horizontal or semihorizontal caves requires some equipment besides warm clothing. A good, reliable light with at least two backup sources are necessary for you to see the cave's features and your footing on uneven floors. A helmet with a chin strap protects you from bumping your head against low ceilings and falling rocks. Sturdy, rubber-lugged boots are desirable in slippery conditions, and if you are more adventurous, hands-and-knees situations require gloves, knee pads and additional protective clothing such as coveralls. More advanced caving involving the safe negotiation of vertical drops requires specialized ropes and equipment and the knowledge and experience required to use them properly.

To enjoy safe and memorable experience, prospective cavers are encouraged to join a caving club or take one of training courses which are offered in some communities. Remember, never go caving alone... and always inform someone of your plans! If you have an accident that requires outside assistance, contact the nearest Federal Emergency Management Agency detachment.

Caving can be a fun, educational and safe sport to take in, provided that you are using the old Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared". Caving can require some special precautions that you must consider if you wish to have a safe, successful and rewarding trip. First and foremost is that you should be physically fit and have the necessary equipment. You can apply for equipment hire to caving clubs and climbing associations. Proper exposure clothing, food and water, first aid kit and three other people are the minimum that you should be taking on a hike.

Remember that cave environment is fragile. For this reason, cavers follow a basic code of conduct:

• Keep to the established underground routes.

• Do not litter or mark the caves.

• Do not disturb crickets, spiders or other forms of life.

• Do not touch cave formations.

The caver's motto is: "Take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time, leave no trace."

Ian Mckenzie, Alberta Speleological Society

Read the texts and answer the comprehension questions:

1. Is there any difference between the terms “cavers”, “potholers” and “spelunkers”?

2. Which factors make caving so popular?

3. What are the dangers a caver can meet with?

4. What clothing do cavers need?

5. What equipment is necessary for a caver?

6. What should a caver do to ensure safety of an underground trip?

7. What are the items of the caves conduct code?

Text 2. a) Read the text and translate it into Russian.

What to Bring for a Caving Trip. Light: a headlamp is ideal, so you can have both hands free. Many sporting good shops and hardware stores sell inexpensive electric headlamps. Cavers normally carry a second good light and a smaller backup flashlight (usually a small waterproof type, such as the "Tekna"). If a light is going to fail anywhere, it will fail in a cave (corollary to Murphy's Law). So try to bring lights that are reliable. Your little Tekna light can be hung around your neck from a long loop and tucked under your sweater where it will always be handy in an emergency. For any kind of battery-operated light, be sure that the batteries are fresh and that you have an extra set of NEW batteries with you. A spare bulb is also handy. Never use a Coleman-style gas lantern in a cave. The glass globe will probably break as will the fragile cloth mantle.

Food: expect it to get squashed in the cave. Bananas turn into banana pudding; tomatoes turn to ketchup. For munching underground, cavers usually carry such things as salami, lumps of cheese, beef jerky, candy bars, canned fruit... things that won't squash or leak. Pack your food in a plastic bag that you can put wrappers or scraps in. Littering underground is bad manners, of course.

There's not much water in caves that's safe to drink, so we suggest that you carry a full liter or half-liter water bottle. A couple of cans of juice or pop will suffice, although anything sugary is not as thirst-quenching as plain water. Don't use a glass container; it will probably break. Get a plastic water bottle (an empty plastic bottle works great).

Pack: most cavers carry a hiker's shoulder bag of sturdy canvas or nylon. This kind of bag is easy to maneuver out of the way or take off in constricted places. For your first few trips, a small backpack will be fine. You might want to bring a cheap one, because caves are very hard on packs. Whatever kind of bag you decide to bring, pick one big enough to hold your lunch, plastic water bottle and extra lights.

b) Read the text and make a list of things necessary for a caving tour.

Text 3. Read the text and translate it into Russian.