Reading University Caving Club

Description:

One of the most anticipated trips of the year! In early November each year, the club visits the Mendip Hills in Somerset. In addition to exploring some fantastic caves in the region, we always go to the stunning firework display that is held on the Saturday evening in the nearby village of Priddy. This somehow manages to combine the traditional feel of a small local display, with the quality and standards of a professional large-scale event!

The club has a tradition of attending this display whilst dressed up in full Halloween costume, in an attempt to scare entertain the locals. Several other caving clubs also have a tradition of visiting the Mendips this weekend as well, so it tends to be a very sociable trip! All in all, it’s not to be missed…

Sign up for this trip at one of our Monday pub gatherings, or by emailing our president.

Where:

We will be staying at the legendary Belfry Caving Hut in the Mendips, in Somerset.

When:

Friday 4th – Sunday 6th November. Meeting in the car park of the Athletics Pavilion at 6:30pm on the Friday – see building 43 on this Map [PDF file]. Returning late in the evening on Sunday.

What to bring:

• Standard trip gear
• £35 to pay for the trip (if you haven’t already!), plus extra money to pay for any additional food or booze on the way there or back
• Your best Halloween costume

Further Information:

• About our trips

Description:

Our second weekend trip of the term! This trip to Wales is particularly geared up for new members and people who wish to try caving for the first time, however it is likely to be very popular with many of our older members as well!

Expect a lot of excitement, crazy antics including our legendary ‘caving games’ during the evenings, plenty of partying, as well as chance to try some fantastic caving…

You can sign up for this trip at the Fresher’s Fayre or the presentation afterwards, at one of our Monday pub gatherings, or by emailing our president.

Where:

We will be staying at the Croydon Caving Hut in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales.

When:

Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd October. Meeting in the car park of the Athletics Pavilion at 6:30pm on the Friday – see building 43 on this Map [PDF file]. Returning late in the evening on Sunday.

What to bring:

• Standard trip gear
• £35 to pay for the trip (if you haven’t already!), plus extra money to pay for any additional food or booze on the way there or back
• Your Sports Fed card (obtainable at the Freshers Fayre or from the Student’s Union)
• Lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to try new things!

Further Information:

• Fresher’s Welcome Post
• About our trips

Description:

We realise that joining a new club is a big commitment, particularly for a sport as unusual as caving! We’re therefore running a trip at the beginning of the Autumn Term to allow people to try it out. Anyone is welcome to come on this trip with us before they become a member – whether you’ve had some previous experience of caving, or you are completely new to the sport.

Even if you’re not sure if you want to join the club, these trips still provide a fantastic chance to try something new and get to meet some interesting people – and very cheaply! If nothing else, it should make for a fun day out 😉

You can sign up for a day trip at the Fresher’s Fayre or the presentation afterwards, or by emailing our president.

Where:

The Mendips (in Somerset), meeting in the car park of the Athletics Pavilion at Reading University – see building 43 on this Map [PDF file]

When:

On Saturday 8th October. Meeting at 9am, and returning by 8pm-9m. A long day, but worth it 😉

What to bring:

• Old warm clothes (we will supply all gear and equipment for the cave itself).
• Wellies if you have them (provided if not).
• Spare underwear and socks, and a towel
• £5 to pay for the trip (if you haven’t already!), and your Sports Fed card (obtainable at the Freshers Fayre or from the Student’s Union)
• A packed lunch, and money to pay for a take-away evening meal
• Lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to try new things!

Further Information:

• Fresher’s Welcome Post

Description:

For new students and other people who may be interested in joining up, this is a must-attend event! Here you can find out all about us and what we get up to… You will also be very welcome to put your name down for our ‘taster’ trips, or to sign up for our mailing list to be kept informed of club events. If you wish to join the club immediately we can help with that as well, however we understand this is a big commitment.

We will therefore be holding a presentation immediately after the fayre with lots of further information, so you can decide whether caving is something for you. We’ll be ending the day by going for a curry at BoB in town, and anyone is welcome to come along – whether or not you’re interested in joining the club 😉

If you’re unable to make the freshers fayre or presentation this year but would still like to become a member, we’d love to hear from you! Simply contact our president.

Where / When:

• At our stall at the Fresher’s Fayre (held at the RUSU car park), between 11am and 4pm
• We’re also holding a presentation afterwards at 5pm in Room 126 of the HUMSS Building – see building 1 on this Map [PDF file]

What to bring:

• Lots of enthusiasm, and any questions you may have for us
• A willingness to try new things…
• Money if you wish to join now or sign up for a trip (there’s no pressure though!)
• For current members: club hoodies / t-shirts, any publicity material or ‘gimmicks’ you think may help, loads of enthusiasm, and all your powers of persuasion!

Further Information:

• Freshers Fayre – RUCavers Facebook Event
• Freshers Fayre – General Facebook Event (from RUSU)
• RUSU website

Description:

To access some of the deeper and more vertical caving systems, you will use a special system known as Single Rope Technique (SRT). These types of caves are particularly common in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, which are among the most popular caving regions with members. SRT will add a whole new dimension to caving, and opens up the possibility of plenty of further exploration.

The club will provide you with full SRT training to ensure you are completely comfortable before using it underground. The training takes place at the local climbing wall, and there is always a fun and relaxed atmosphere. People learn the techniques at different rates, however as a general rule we require everyone to have attended at least 3 training sessions before allowing them to enter any cave that involves SRT. If you plan to come to Yorkshire or Derbyshire with us, you should definitely attend!

To sign up for a training session, please meet us at the College Arms on the Monday evening before the session, or contact the president.

Where:

Reading Climbing Centre, meeting at the Athletics Pavilion / Club Tackle Store (see building 43 on this Map [PDF file]).

When:

Wednesday evenings between 2nd November – 7th December (TBC).

What to bring:

• Comfortable old clothing (e.g. tracksuit or running trousers)
• ~ £6.50 to pay for entry to the climbing centre (a bit more may be a good idea, as we sometimes end-up in a pub!)
• The club’s useful Guide to SRT
• OPTIONAL: snack food / drink

Further Information:

• More About SRT Training
• Reading Climbing Centre website