SWAZILAND GOBHOLO CAVES EXPEDITION 2017
See website with contact details here
- Message from the organiser:
Dear all,
you are receiving this email, because you either have expressed your interest in participating to next years expedition to Swaziland or because you have participated earlier.
As you might have seen on the blog or facebook, I started checking dates, availability of accommodation, local transport etc. Unfortunately it's a bit slow to get responses. We will either rent a bus and a car (for exploring other areas for caves) or we might be able to borrow a bus (with hopefully functioning brakes - the first year we had a few interesting experiences on the road ;)) and then only need one car.
What will be different from the previous expedition will be that we will stay in Ezulwini, not at the Kapholo estate. This means a (rather low) fee for either bed in a hostel or camping will have to be paid. Everybody will also provide for their own food as we are staying in the village. You can of course in that case cook yourself in the hostel, or we eat out.
The time will be 10 days in end of June/beginning of July, depending still on a few circumstances I am waiting answer on.
What I would need from you is
- are you still interested in participating?
- is the time suitable?
- do you have mapping experience?
- are you member of a caving club and which one?
- Nationality and age
To get an idea about the costs yourself, I encourage you to check flights to see what they will end up at and transport to Ezulwini. If you fly to Jo'burg, you can get a bus to Mbabane and from there either a local bus to Ezulwini (which is an experience!) or we can arrange for a pick-up. I might be there a day or two before everyone else.
Last time we cooked ourselves and kept the costs down by doing that. To eat in a "normal" place is about 50-70 R per person, to eat in a more expensive place about the double. You also need to calculate for water - 1,5 around 17 R, so basically I would say the cost of living (food that is) is comparable to live cheap in Europe:
Cost of Living in Swaziland
Cost of Living in Mbabane, Swaziland. Jan 2016 prices in Mbabane.
Please get back to me about the questions above, I hope I can sort out living and transport the next few weeks.
Regards
Manuela

Gatkop Caves - 12 & 13 November

Hello everyone,

So over the weekend of the 12th and 13th November, there is a trip planned to the Gatkop Caves close to Thabazimbi (3 hours from JHB).

Plan is to leave from JHB at 7 in the morning on the Saturday and get there around 10ish and do Gatkop 1, aka Slotmachine, and get into the cave around 11. Then stay over very close to the cave and have a big braai etc and do Gatkop 2, aka Thabazimbi Cave, the next morning.

There is dormitory style accommodation available for R200 per person and camping is also a possibility. If you want luxury, there is accommodation close by which I can find out about.

Warning! Gatkop 2 is infamous for its very high levels of CO2. If you did not get a headache from drinking too much at the braai on Saturday, you will probably get one from this cave... Those not comfortable with this, are welcome to do Gatkop 1 again as the cave does have lots of potential for exploration.

The second very important point is that there are strict controls in place from management regarding decontamination of gear as this is a very important site for bats. All gear must be cleaned before going there. Before we go in, our boots will be sprayed with a diluted bleach solution and once we get out of the cave our overalls and boots and helmets will once again get sprayed on both days.

I have been told, sarcastically, that I really know how to sell a caving trip... These are two of the biggest caves in SA and both are stunning. One area of Gatkop 2 is named Pamukkale. If you don't know what Pamukkale is, Google it...

It is a members only trip and space is limited, so please let me know if you are going so I can book the accommodation. sjtucker135@gmail.com is most likely to get a response, otherwise message me on 083 212 0817.
Will let you know where to meet once I know who is going.

Cheers,

Steven

SEC AGM 22 October & Armageddon 23 October

Hi to ALL our members

This coming Saturday afternoon we have our Annual General Meeting where you, the members, get to decide what you want for the up-coming year and who will be on the Committee to make it happen.

It is YOUR club……………..so please make every effort to attend (and if you cannot be there make sure you have given your views and voting proxy to someone who will) and make you desires known. We’ve been going since 1954 through both fat and lean times. We now have a relatively BIG membership so please come and say your piece on what you want for 2017.

As previously advised there will be a rope practice session at 12, and at3pm the  AGM in preparation for the exciting visit to Armageddon on Sunday the 23rd, South Africa’s deepest dry cave and the oldest cave on the planet, the following day. You’ll need to bring your drinks and meat for the braai afterwards but SEC will have salads, bread etc available. Please let Selena (083 460 4828) and John (073 985 8068) know if you are coming……………if you haven’t already.

Below is a link to the Agenda and Proxy:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B416s8iUqlBkemhadXY0X3ZSX0U/view 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B416s8iUqlBkeXBITUN0WEw3dFk/view 

Address is 64 Patton Place, Tedderfield, JHB

I look forward to seeing and talking with you on Saturday afternoon.

Dave – Hon. Secretary

SEC Meet-list for 2016

Meetlist

A trip is done once a month on the second Sunday of the month. Extra trips are then done on an Ad-Hoc Basis and a few long-weekend trips to other provinces are also organized throughout the year.

• ·         22 October – SEC AGM & SRT training at John & Selena’s place – Contact John and Selena Dickie

• ·         23 October – Armageddon – Only for members or those who attend SRT training at the AGM – John Dickie

• ·         12 & 13 November – Gatkop Caves – Members only – Steven Tucker

• ·         26 and 27 November – Cave rescue weekend – Open - Steven Tucker

• ·         11 December – Armageddon’s mudwall – Members only – John Dickie

Please note: These are proposed dates – please see Facebook and/or Yahoo groups for final destinations or contact the meet leader closer to the time. Caving trips additional to those above will also be notified via these avenues.

Contact the Meet leader to arrange to join a trip. See the contact us page for contact details.

SEC Freaky Friday Night Caving, 14 Oct, 7.30pm

Meet at Oaktree Engen garage, off Hendrick Potgieter on N14 near Sterkfontein at 7.30pm.

Cave to be confirmed, but it will be close to Oaktree.

Beginners and visitors welcome.

Cost R100 per person

Caving involves some climbing, crawling, squeezing. Wear comfortable old clothes and shoes.

Let me know if you need a hardhat and headlight; bring 3 x AAA batteries.

We will be caving for about 3 hours.

RSVP Selena 083 460 4828

Caving Apocalypse Sunday 9 Oct

Hey SEC Members

Caving at Apocalypse with an opportunity to practise your survey reading skills, and there are endless places to get lost in!

Usual SRT proficient only.

Meet 9am at the cave.

RSVP John 073 985 8068