In this paper, we present a qualitative study on speleology that aims to widen the current understanding of people's practices in Nature and identify a design space for technology that supports such practices. Speleology is a practice based on the discovery, study, and dissemination of natural cavities. Speleologists are amateur experts who often collaborate with scientists and local institutions to understand the geology, hydrology, and biology of a territory. Their skills are at the same time physical, technical, and theoretical; this is why speleology is defined as a ‘sporting science’. Being at the boundary between outdoor adventure sports and citizen science, speleology is an interesting case study for investigating the variety and complexity of activities carried out in the natural context. We interviewed 15 experienced speleologists to explore their goals, routines, vision of the outdoors, and attitude towards technology. From our study, it emerged that i) the excitement of discovery and the unpredictability of an explorative trip are the strongest motivations for people to engage in speleology; ii) physical skilfulness is a means for knowledge generation; iii) the practice is necessarily collective and requires group coordination. From these findings, an ambivalent attitude towards technology emerged: on the one hand, the scientific vocation of speleology welcomes technology supporting the development of knowledge; on the other hand, aspects typical of adventure sports lead to resistance to technology facilitating the physical performance. We conclude the article by presenting design considerations for devices supporting speleology, as well as a few reflections on how communities of speleologists can inspire citizen science projects.

在本文中，我们提出了对洞穴学的定性研究，旨在扩大人们对自然界实践的当前了解，并确定支持此类实践的技术的设计空间。洞穴学是一种基于发现，研究和传播自然蛀牙的实践。洞穴学家是业余专家，通常与科学家和地方机构合作以了解某个地区的地质，水文和生物学。他们的技能同时是物理，技术和理论上的；这就是为什么将洞穴学定义为“体育科学”的原因。地势学处于户外探险运动与公民科学之间的边界，是一个有趣的案例研究，用于研究在自然环境中进行的活动的多样性和复杂性。我们采访了15位经验丰富的洞穴学家，以探讨他们的目标，日常活动，户外视野以及对技术的态度。从我们的研究中发现：i）探索的兴奋和探索之旅的不可预测性是人们从事洞穴学的最强烈动机；ii）身体上的技巧是产生知识的一种手段；iii）这种做法必然是集体的，需要小组的配合。从这些发现中，出现了一种对技术的矛盾态度：一方面，洞穴科学的科学使命欢迎技术支持知识的发展；另一方面，冒险运动的典型特征导致对有助于身体表现的技术的抵抗。