Resource Content Classifications:

Class A:

Caves which contain few or no items of scenic or scientific value. If any such items are present within the cave, they are of the type which cannot, without great effort, be destroyed or removed from the cave. Basically, a cave in which frequent visitation by any and all types of cavers will cause little or no change within the cave.

Class B:

Caves which contain secondary deposit-type formations of the ordinary type, such as stalagmites, stalactites, columns, flowstone, draperies, and rimstone dams, which are either of such size or are so positioned within the cave that they are not easily damaged and/or vandalized; or any items of biological or other scientific value which are of the type which cavers could not seriously disturb or destroy.

Class C:

Class C: Caves which contain secondary deposit-type formations of the ordinary type, such as stalagmites, stalactites, columns, flowstone , draperies, and rimstone dams which are either of such size, or so positioned within the cave that they are quite susceptible to breakage and/or vandalism; or any items of scientific value which are of the type which cavers could seriously disturb or destroy.

Class D:

Class D: Caves which contain formations that are of unusual quality or are very delicate and susceptible to breakage, even by well-trained and very careful cavers; or any items of scientific value which are of the type which cavers could and/or would seriously disturb or destroy. Examples of Class "D" Cave formations would be selenite needles, gypsum flowers, epsonite formations or crystals, cave helictites, moon milk, rare biological species, etc.

Class E:

Class E: Caves which contain items of scientific value which could and/or would be seriously disturbed or destroyed by frequent visits, or by visits of uninformed cavers as to the item or items of scientific value, i.e., a biological species which has a delicate habitat, or is in danger of extinction in the area or within the particular cave. The items of scientific value could be either archaeological, biological, or paleontological in nature, or very rare cave formations.

Cave Hazard Classifications:

Class 1:

A Class 1 cave offers the least hazard to a caver and has the following general characteristics: (a) Single, well-defined main passageway, with no lateral passages. (b) No passageways less than 1 meter in diameter (approximately 39 inches). (c) No step-type drops over 1 meter. (d) No loose ceiling rocks. (e) Few loose floor rocks.

Class 2:

A Class 2 cave contains moderate hazards, and is predominantly horizontal in structure. General characteristics of Class 2 caves are: (a) Well-defined main passageways, with relatively short deadend lateral passages. (b) No crawlways less than 60 centimeters (approximately 24 inches) in diameter. (c) No step type drops over 3 meters (approximately l0 feet). (d) No loose ceiling rocks. (e) Loose floor material is permissible.

Class 3:

A Class 3 cave contains structural hazards not found in Class 1 and 2 caves. General characteristics of Class 3 caves are: (a) Multiple passageways with straight connecting passages. (b) Crawlways less than 60 centimeters (approximately 24 inches in diameter. (c) Vertical drops from 3 to 15 meters (approximately la to 50 feet). (d) Loose rocks on ceiling of 2 meters in height. (e) No loose rocks on floor of crawlways less than 2 meters.

Class 4:

A Class 4 cave is the most hazardous from the structural standpoint and has the following general characteristics: (a) Maze-type passageways. (b) Vertical drops over 15 meters (approximately 50 feet). (c) Loose ceiling rocks in crawlways less than 2 meters in diameter. (d) Contains wet passageways. (e) May be subject to flooding. (f) May require wet suit to explore.

Class 5:

A Class 5 cave is extremely hazardous due to characteristics such as poisonous insects and/or reptiles, polluted water, dangerous gasses, extreme flooding, or any other hazard which requires special equipment to protect the caver.

Cave Appeal Classifications:

Class V:

Caves which, for reasons of limited extent, high hazard, lack of features of interest and/or remoteness, have virtually no appeal to either cavers or the general public.

Class W:

Caves whose characteristics make them moderately attractive to cavers but not to the general public. Characteristics might include: (i) Technically sporting passages; (ii) a limited number of interesting features: (iii) suitability for training or practice.

Class X:

Caves whose location, features, relative lack of hazards and relative durability makes them suitable for and moderately attractive to general public visitors. These caves might have general adventure appeal, but would not be worthy of full interpretive or commercial development.

Class Y:

Caves having special appeal to cavers or speleologists owing to the presence of various factors, including: (i) outstanding speleological features (speleothems, etc.); (ii) relatively low vulnerability; (iii) challenging features (pits, etc.); (iv) surface accessibility; (v) unexplored passage or potential; (vi) record-holding qualities (depth, length, etc.); (vii) underground wilderness qualities; (viii) significant biological features.

Class Z:

Caves having great public appeal and characteristics which would make them highly suitable for public display or interpretation. Factors would include: (i) outstandingly beautiful or impressive speleothems; (ii) other outstanding cave features such as waterfalls, rivers, lakes, large passages and chambers, etc.; (iii) relative ease of access to features without major impact or cave modification; (iv) acceptably low hazard level; (v) relative ease of surface access and proximity to population centres or main lines of communication.