Caving requires you to navigate through oftentime disorienting terrain, not to mention dark lighting and tight passages. So, it occurred to me that you should use a GPS to easily navigate around and not get lost. So, I did some research and put together this helpful article to explain whether you need a GPS to go caving.
So, do you need a GPS to go caving? GPS requires you to have line of sight to multiple satellites, to triangulate your position. As a result, GPS do not work underground, and can’t be used to locate yourself in underground caves. It is a good idea, however, to use one to help in and your caving spot.
Exactly why GPS don’t work underground needs further explaining, as well as, the methods you can use to navigate yourself while in a cave and it’s surrounding areas. So, read on to discover the answers to these questions, and more.
Why GPS don’t work in caves, and what to use instead?
GPS uses signals from satellites that work best when there is no physical barrier between the satellites and your device. Although you can get limited coverage when using them in buildings, it is a common misconception that they work everywhere.
They don’t work in thick-walled and large buildings, underground, and in tunnels, according to Itstillworks.com and Slate.com. As a result, they are unusable to navigate yourself when caving underground. Also, based on my research there is no current electronic system that can locate you electronically when you’re caving.
Can GPS work without a satellite?
A GPS cannot work without a satellite. When you lose signal to the satellites your device wont update with your current location. The signal from a GPS can be interrupted from cloud cover, interference from the atmosphere and water sitting on trees after a heavy rain. To get the best GPS signal you need to be in open space where you can get a clear signal.
Further to this a GPS works by triangulating your position and needs three of more satellites to locate you. This is because the GPS uses mathematical equations based on the speed the satellites are moving, to pinpoint your location. By sending and receiving signals from the satellites to your GPS device.
When you’re underground there is no way for any signal to get to you. So, the GPS wont update your location at all.
Since a GPS won’t work, how do you orient yourself in a cave?
Caving is a hobbyist term for the scientific study of caves called Speleology. The terms are used interchangeably largely, because caving is easier to say. Speleology and cave exploring is done by National and local societies, who team up to create maps and resources for new and experienced cavers.
There are many good resources both locally, and nationally where you can meet people and share your information and research.
These resources are usually located and kept by Speleology clubs. You can find your local one using the tool provided by the US Spelogical Society. Click here to go to the page on their website that has the tool.
It is similar to the field of Geology, or orienteering, and there are many transferable skills. You can create maps based on sketches, maths, and observation. And use others maps as a guide. Some caves are so well explored that they have very intricate and detailed information.
If you have never explored a cave before, and you can’t find any maps on the topic, this a special delight that only cavers will experience. You get to be the one that explores and maps the cave for the first time.
But, due to you knowing nothing about the cave, and the terrain inside. You should use your natural instincts such as fear to guide you, as you begin exploring. This is because it is easy to fall, and become trapped permanently. This is compounded by the fact that caves are usually away from passers by, that could find you.
When first starting out mapping a cave or exploring a cave for the first time, it is a good idea to take it slow. Carefully position yourself with any maps you do have, and use waterproof notebooks to draw where you started, how far you went inside, and different features along the way.
This will be an invaluable resource to finding your way back to the entrance and getting home safe. You should treat caving as a survival endavour and exploring much like Indiana Jones. You don’t know what you might find, and how long you could be trapped. So, it is a good idea to have a reasonable amount of supplies, and equipment for a worst case scenario. Some basics are:
- A flashlight with backup batteries
- Warm clothing, that can keep you warm overnight
- Food that will keep you going for a certain number of days
- Water
- A waterproof notebook, and pencils
- A compass.
A compass is unique in that it will tell you what direction you are heading. But you need to know how to orient yourself with it using a cave map, or a topographical map.
It is beyond the scope of this article to explain how to use a compass to orient yourself using a map. A very helpful article is provided by Backpacker.com on this topics, which you should check out as a refresher or if you have never done it before.
Is a GPS still useful for caving?
However you orient yourself a GPS is still a good idea if you are exploring caves in regions that you are:
- Unfamiliar with
- Are difficult to navigate
- Or if you are inexperienced using a map to navigate yourself outdoors
Getting from your starting point to the cave may be difficult because of any of the above. As well as, returning to your starting point once you have finished caving.
Unfamiliar terrain and terrain that doesn’t have easily identifiable landmarks is difficult to navigate. You can rely on tall mountains or hills that are much higher than the rest of the terrain provide good reference points, that can aid you to find your location using a map.
But, when none of these are around you can go around in circles for quite sometime trying to find your cave. You might just stumble upon it but these instances are rare.
If you’ve been to the location many times, you wont need a GPS. But, you never know what could happen, and you might end up in unfamiliar territory. So, it can be a good idea to keep one as a back up.
So, a GPS is still useful when going caving in areas that are difficult to access from your starting point, and there is significant risk of getting lost.
What are some good GPS for caving?
[I would include some affiliate products in this section: perhaps you have some in mind or have an affiliate deal with a company other than Amazon]
Conclusion
A GPS wont work when caving. But, they are still useful for navigating too and from your starting point to the cave. A GPS requires a signal from satellites that are blocked by physical barriers such as buildings, overhead cover, and by the overlying rock and soil when in a cave. As a result, you can’t get a signal to locate yourself when caving.
To locate yourself underground you need to use a premade map, or you can map the cave yourself using a notebook. You can then later compile your data and refine it into a really nice map that you can share with your Speleogly club.