SEC Annual Social 2025

Date:
Saturday 25 January

Venue:
Incus Data

Order of events:
- Arrival and mingle 12:30pm - 1pm
- Welcome and introduction of Roger Ellis 1pm
- Dragonsbreath talk by Roger Ellis
- Braai, swim and mingle
- Close out 6pm

There are braai facilities as well as a swimming pool so bring some meat, what you would like to drink as well as your costume and towel!

Roger will be talking us through the discovery of SWEX 86 (Dragonsbreath) in 1986, the caves' history as well as the underwater explorations. The cave contains the world's largest known non-subglacial underground lake, with an area of almost 2 hectares. The water surface of the lake is located around 100 metres below the surface.

Bolts Cave 12 January 2025

 Hi Everyone , upcoming trip on the 12th of January to Bolts Cave.

Date: 12/01/2025
Time: 9:00
Meet spot: Engen Oaktree
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJFjo8J4hUfYUXtv8
Meet leader : Edmund Harris
Cost: R100 visitors fee

Type : Open trip ( members and non-members)

Gear:
-Helmet , (club has if you need)
-Headlamp and spare batteries
-Snacks and water
-Bag ( club has a bag if needs)
-Hardy shoes ( preferably boots)
-Old long sleeved clothes and clothes and shoes to change into after caving

Trip info
An easy to access cave , the entrance requires a 2 pitch ladder, we'll have a harness on hand to belay people. There is a crawl into the second half of the cave that can be tricky for first time visitors.

Parking of cars will be about 500m from the cave entrance , so expect a walk into the actual quarry
The area to park is out in the open and in the sun so just be aware of any risk

Purpose of trip is to take visitors to Bolts and to have a second team explore the viability to dig a tunnel we found on the last trip.   

Hours in the cave will depend on consensus
but expect 4-5 hours.

If everyone is keen and wants to, we'll stop at Greensleeves for a milkshake, it's down the road.

Quarry Cave - 14 December 2024

Date: 14/12/2024
Time: 9:00
Meet spot: The Quarry
Meet leader : Teaghan Stoop
Cost: R100 visitors fee

Type : Open trip ( members and non-members)

Gear:
helmet , (club has if you need)
Headlamp and spare batteries
Snacks and water
Bag ( club has a bag if needs)
Hardy shoes ( preferably boots)


Trip info
An easy to access cave , entrance requires sliding through a brick built squeeze

Parking of cars will be about 200m from the cave entrance , so expect a walk into the actual quarry
The area to park is out in the open and in the sun so just be aware of any risk

Purpose of trip is fully exploratory , some surveying might be done depending on numbers and state of required survey area  

Hours in the cave will depend on consensus

If everyone is keen and wants to,  a stop at bushwackers for a milkshake could be planned 

Chaos Cave Weekend Trip 9 - 10 November 2024

Our next trip is on November 9th-10th November. We will be going to Chaos - a stunning Cave with lots to see, with a 2 pitch SRT in the cave.

Members only, but you must have done SRT or a training session at least once in the last year.

We'll camp on the farm so please bring camping gear. Note; there's no power, water or toilets.

We'll have a braai at night.

The farm road wasn't too bad last time, but it'll be a good idea to carpool where possible as the roads tend to fill with water when it rains.

You must be proficient in SRT (Single Rope Technique) as this will involve a two-pitch SRT descent in the cave, approximately 45 meters in total. Expect a long day underground. Depending on the number of participants and the availability of gear, we will split into two groups, with each group descending on a different day to ensure everyone has the opportunity to explore the cave.

Please contact the trip leader Edmund if interested.

Halloween Social - Friday Evening - 1 November 2024

 Join us for a bone-chilling Halloween sleepover in the depths of a cave, where shadows loom, and echoes turn ghostly. This is a casual gathering—not about exploring but about immersing ourselves in spine-tingling stories by lantern light. Wear your most haunting outfit and come dressed to kill! For those daring enough to stay, feel free to "Rest in Peace" until morning—if you can last the night. 🎃

It will be near Oaktree, cave TBC
Guest welcome
Details to follow

Knocking Shop Caving trip 24 November 2024

Date: 24/11/2024
Time: 9:00
Meet spot: Oaktree
Meet leader: Andreas

This will be beginner friendly trip, expect to spend most of the day underground while getting some mild exercise.
Visitors are welcome. You will need to be able to swim and have great care and respect for the delicate formations.

JV13 Caving trip 8 September 2024

 Hi everyone 😁

Our next trip is on Sunday 8th September. We will be going to JV13 - a stunning sinkhole with approximately 60m SRT and a small cave at the bottom.

Visitors are welcome, but you must have done SRT or a training session at least once in the last year.

This trip will focus on the SRT and rigging, so I will be using it as a training opportunity.

There is a short walk to the cave and the farmer will be showing us the other caves on the property which we might visit quickly if we have time.

We'll go to Bushwackers afterwards.

Please contact Kyle if interested.