+8 Diggin’ Speleology
Diggin’ Speleology
Diggin’ Speleology
Diggin’ Speleology
Diggin’ Speleology
Diggin’ Speleology
Diggin’ Speleology
Nerone, Italy – It was another moment when the reporter felt the panic of being stuck, of being buried alive deep inside this Italian mountain. What seemed to be a huge cave on the outside was now closing within inches of her head, arms and legs. For a moment she was paralyzed…
That’s when Giacomo Berlocchi offered his prescription for the qualities of necessary becoming a speleologist – a person who explores mountains inside and out: Determination, a desire to discover, and car grease.
A speleologist and rescuer, Berlocchi was also squeezing through the first and tightest hole in the cave of Monte Nerone as he offered the advice. He recalled an outing when a chubby friend coated himself in grease to navigate a really tight spot.
“The caves are pretty safe,” he said. “A car will not hit you. What should we be scared off? If the passage is too small then do not go. There’s nothing to be afraid off.”
Berlocchi is one of 15 instructors for the internal rescue branch of the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS), a volunteer group that carries out rescue missions recovering injured or lost Italian adventurers. It is part of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI).
This region central Italy, Le Marche, is a prime location for their services. Packed with rolling hills and soaring mountains is home to a community that can found hiking the trails in the mountains that line Urbino’s horizons
On any given day members might find themselves using their kills inside caves, on a hiking trail, a mountain summit or a whitewater canyon river. It’s what makes them speleologists in Italy.
“Being a speleologist is a multifaceted experience,” Berlocchi said. “On the one hand you should be a scientist: someone who knows the cave, knows why it was formed and how its developing. On the other hand, you need to be technically ready as well as physically.”
His fellow CNASA members are prime examples.
“You have to explore yourself, your fears all while taking in the beauty of a place many people will never be able to go.”
Filippo Martelli, speleologist and professor of physics at the University of Urbino, plays a role in building the speleology community by expressing his love and knowledge of the sport to students. He says the sport requires personal exploration as well.
“You have to explore yourself, your fears all while taking in the beauty of a place many people will never be able to go,” he said.
Lorenzo Zanarelli, speleologist and long-term friend of Martelli, agrees the sports requires exploration within and without.
“Experiencing a cave allows you to know what’s inside yourself and not just what is inside the cave,” he said. “It is a personal, more intimate experience.”
And speleologists say the sport creates a close-knit community.
“Speleology allows you to create relationships and share experiences with other people while increasing your knowledge and giving you have a deep understanding go the world which surrounds you,” Zanarelli said.
The hobby has helped the local environment. Speleologist who specialize in hydrogeology, like Zanarelli, created Carta della vulnerabilità , a pollution vulnerability map of the aquifers of Monte Nerone, a vital drinking water source for the city of Urbino.
Video by Zahra Sandhu & Sarah Detwiler
