SASA Bulletin 43-2017 Special Edition

Hello again everyone,

In addition to bulletin 42 that came out recently, there is also a special edition bulletin 43! It covers one of the most stunning caves found in the last few years as well as the discovery of the largest underground lake in South Africa!

SASA Bulletin 42-2017

SASA Bulletin 43-2017

Enjoy,

Steven

SASA Bulletin 42-2017

Hello everyone,

A new SASA Bulletin is ready for download.

A special thanks to Colin Redmayne-Smith for editing another great looking bulletin!

Thanks to all the contributors.

Download from the link below:

SASA Bulletin 42-2017

PS, more to come soon!

River Passage Cave - 14 May

Hello everyone,

On Sunday there will be a trip to River Passage Cave, a stunning cave discovered by the Potch Potholers. The upper level of the cave is relatively easy to get into, but then there is a very difficult narrow vertical crack that must be negotiated to get into the main and lower parts of the cave, so that part of the cave will be for members only. 

 

 For those not going into the lower levels, Gerrie will look at various other caves and sinkholes on the property. At least one has a very interesting blowing hole that could lead into a second River Passage Cave!

Meet at Oaktree Garage at 08:30. Limited parking at the cave, so we will have to leave some cars at the garage.

 

Bring SRT kits to get into lower levels.

For visitors see this link:

http://www.sec-caving.co.za/p/new-cavers.html

If you need gear let us know.

 

Unfortunately there won't be time for a braai.

Numbers are limited, so please send me a message on 083 212 0817 if you want to join this trip.

Cheers,

Steven

Chimanimani 2017

Hello everyone,

We are considering a return expedition to the caves in Chimanimani in Zimbabwe around the middle of October 2017. This is still within the their dry months and should be plenty warmer than August last year!

The main focus will be to explore the newly discovered and only briefly explored Tartarus Cave. Depening on how that goes, other options will be to push question marks in known caves such as Bounding Pot, Black Crystal Abyss and Mawenge Mwena. Then of course, for those who want some time on the surface, there are plenty of potential areas to explore to find new caves!

The current idea is to leave early on Saturday the 14th, arrive that evening in Chimanimani, hike up to the camp site on the 15th. Then spend five days on the mountain and hike down on the 21st and drive back the 22nd.

This is very flexible and if there is interest some can stay longer. 

Costs are estimated at around R10,000 per person, depending on numbers and final dates etc.

If you are at all interested in going, perhaps even as a hiker, please let myself (083 212 0817) or John Dickie (073 985 8068) know.

Cheers,

Steven

Chaos/Crystal Weekend

Hello everyone,

John is organising a trip to Chaos and possibly Crystal Caves over the weekend of the 7th to 9th of April.

Arrive Friday afternoon to rig cave entrances, cave Saturday and Sunday before leaving for home.

Rough camping with no facilities other than an old spider infested house you can stay in. So bring everything you need, including water and a spade...

The caves require SRT skills and therefore it is a members only trip. If you haven't SRT'd before bribe me with food and beer to teach you (083 212 0817).

If you are planning on going or want more info contact John at 073 985 8068.

See you next week,

Steven

Sunflower Fund Donation

Dear SEC Members

In memory of long-time SEC member and Immediate-Past Chairman, Peter Andrew Kenyon, who passed away on 3 December 2016, our Club will be supporting the Sunflower Fund. We have decided to sponsor up to five club members who wishes to join the bone marrow registry and save future lives. It costs R2000 to join the registry, and there are some stringent requirements. Please read the information in the link if you are interested.
http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-Donor-Information.pdf 

If you would like to take up this life-saving opportunity sponsored by SEC, please confirm with our Treasurer Vanja Ingold at vjingold@ingold.co.za. The procedure is to check with Vanja if you are one of the first five, then go ahead and do the necessary and SEC will refund you the cost of R2000. Please note that this invitation is open to all SEC members, your family and friends.

Regards

John Dickie

CHAIRMAN

Cave Rescue Practise 18 February

Hello everyone,

For those interested, there will be a cave rescue practise this Saturday.

The plan for this practise session will be to initiate a mock callout for a missing caver, organise the gathering of people and equipment at the cave and then search for the missing caver and rescue him.

So the cave location will not be made known until Saturday morning. At around 7:30 one of the SEC committee members will receive a call with the information and a callout will be initiated.

If you are interested in joining this session, please let me know!

Regards,

Steven

083 212 0817

sjtucker135@gmail.com