There are several types of people who visit caves. Tourists, who visit "show caves", caves made reasonably safe for average people to visit. Spelunkers are av

There are several types of people who visit caves. Tourists, who visit "show caves", caves made reasonably safe for average people to visit. Spelunkers are average untrained people who on a lark, go into a "wild" cave seeking adventure, often woefully ill equipped. "Real" Spelunkers, scientists and geologists who are often not very well trained in cave exploration because they are Corporate or Educational professionals and going into caves is a rare part of their job. Sport or Tourist Cavers, those who have sought out some training in safely visiting a cave, often through a Grotto (Chapter) of the National Speleological Society. This is the most common of trained cave visitor, they tend to visit well know "safe", horizontal caves. Vertical Cavers, this is where the separation of hard core and sport cavers starts. These are cavers who have vertical rope work training, enabling them to rappel into and climb out of caves that have pit entrances. Project/Hard Core cavers, these are the Worlds elite cave explorers, a small group of amazing people from all walks of life who share the passion of exploring caves that are technically difficult and extremely dangerous. There are even more minor distinctions within the caving world, but this is enough to chew on right now.