About the book: 1979 / This book, written by Sverdlovsk speleologist Yuri Lobanov, tells the story of the world of eternal darkness, about those who decided to devote their lives to the study of caves. How the Sverdlovsk speleological section arose, what kind of people gathered in it to unite under a common emblem - the bat, what goals motivated them in their research and what they achieved in it - all this is said in the book. But speleology is not just exciting journeys underground. It is also one of the most complex and difficult sports. The author gives recommendations to his fellow hobbyists. Drawing on the experience accumulated by Ural speleologists, he talks about the physiological and psychological aspects of the impact of the underground world on the human body, about what every speleologist should know. In addition, one of the chapters of the book gives a detailed description of new, only recently discovered caves. The book is intended for both experienced cavers and beginners, as well as for anyone interested in this complex but interesting sport..