I grew up wandering old hunting properties across Jackson County, Alabama — and every time we walked the land, I found myself drawn to the holes in the ground. Caves fascinated me from the start. There was something about the mystery of them, the stillness, the idea that just beneath our feet were worlds no one had seen. That obsession never left.

I’ve always wanted to explore places no one had been — like a lot of kids, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. But with a heart condition and a love for mountains over oceans, I found my frontier underground. Caving became my version of space travel — and project caving, in particular, gave me the chance to go deeper. To stand in places never seen before, to map them, to leave something meaningful behind.

People call me a YouTuber, but I see myself as a caver who happens to document the journey. I’ve been underground long before I ever hit record. I film to share the beauty, the intensity, and the raw reality of caving with the people who may never get to see it themselves. The brand I’ve built — Cantrell Caving — exists to give people a window into that world, and to show that exploration still exists in the modern age. It’s also a space for my team to share our work, our progress, and the stories we’re uncovering together.

I specialize in nearly every aspect of dry caving — aid climbing, rigging, mapping, and cartography. I’m currently based in Jackson County, Alabama — one of the most cave-dense regions in North America — and most of my work centers around the TAG area (Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia). Since 2020, I’ve had the opportunity to work on major systems like Cross Creek Valley, Keystone, exploratory pushes in the Grand Canyon, and ongoing efforts in the Tetons. I’m proud to work alongside some of the best explorers I know, many of whom I met through the Cross Creek Project, led by my good friend Aiden Campbell — the person I credit most for shaping the direction of my caving career. Through him, I met the team that brought me west and helped me find the passion I have today.

My goal with Cantrell Caving is simple: to explore, educate, and inspire. I want people to feel something when they watch my content — not just awe, but a sense of possibility. Caving isn’t easy. It’s cold, muddy, exhausting, and at times brutal. But it’s also beautiful, humbling, and grounding. I want people to understand that beauty can live inside hardship — and that even the tightest crawl might lead to something massive.

I’ve been lucky to work with brands I genuinely respect — launching campaigns with Osprey and Fenix Lights, collaborating with Rocky Talkie, HowNot2, GRAYL, and helping improve gear through real-world use in extreme conditions. I’ve taken creators like Demolition Ranch, Magnus Midtbø, Hownot2, and Geoknowledgy — not just for content, but to share the reality of these environments with new audiences. I’ve also worked with the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCI) on conservation-focused media, and continue to work alongside members of the National Speleological Society (NSS) on expedition-based projects that contribute to survey, science, and exploration.

Whether I’m sketching passage deep underground, rigging for dome climbs, or just hauling muddy gear, my purpose is the same: to go deeper.

I’m always open to thoughtful collaborations — with creators who want to do it right, and brands that care about the outdoors. I’ll soon be leading a trip to Vietnam in 2026 and plan to continue building expeditions that blend scientific value, authentic exploration, and meaningful storytelling. If you’re someone who wants to experience this world — or help support it — let’s talk.