Exploring Caves: Figure 1. The first exploration of the deep shaft of Tripa tis Nifis in Greece; the main belay is a good thread, but the rock is thin bedded, so back up belays are onto the piton and the rope of the pitch above. (Photo by Tony Waltham)

doi:10.4324/9780203483855-165

Chapter

Exploring Caves: Figure 1. The first exploration of the deep shaft of Tripa tis Nifis in Greece; the main belay is a good thread, but the rock is thin bedded, so back up belays are onto the piton and the rope of the pitch above. (Photo by Tony Waltham)

Chapter

ABSTRACT

Footwear has also progressed. Originally miners’ boots made of leather or rubber and with steel toecaps and nailed soles were used. During the 1980s specialized caving rubber wellingtons or walking boots became popular, often worn with neoprene bootees. More recently there has been a move towards more specialized footwear, such as water boots, normally used for canoeing or canyoning and in the future it is likely that highly specialized boots will be produced with rigid toecaps and wetgrip soles.