May South Wales Caving Weekend

Yes. We will arrange lifts for people who can’t drive. Different people bring different skills – it usually works out in the end.

Yes, food will be provided on this trip. Breakfast will be provided in the morning, and on Saturday we will have a group meal cooked in the hut.

Food will not be provided on Friday, or on Sunday evening. You’re recommended to bring cave snacks and evening snacks

We'll be recruiting volunteer chefs and will be looking for helpers with prep, washing up etc

Tea, coffee and milk will also be provided (the coffee might only be instant though…maybe pack your cafetière!).

We'd prefer to have caved with you before - or at least know you in some way before coming on this trip. It might be best - if you're at all able - to come on one of our extra-welcoming trips before you sign up for this weekend to get a sense what we're like as a group and whether you'll get on with us.

All dietary requirements and allergies will be catered for - Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Kosher, Meativore, allergic to pepper, etc - please express it on the sign up form

A BCA-affiliated Club of supportive, friendly people who like to encourage each other to cave and eat cake. Sometimes at the same time.

We support an open, inclusive and accepting atmosphere for all members, whatever their ability or ambition.

Doesn’t matter – it will happen anyway.

Caving is usually a good sport if the weather isn’t great. However, if we will prepare some plan B’s in case of unexpected issues (such as really heavy rain). These could be:

Go for a scramble
Go for a walk
Go indoor climbing
Go to a museum or tourist attraction
Go to the pub

Primarily caving. There is the possibility of walks or other non-caving activities, but these will be arranged ad-hoc though - likely if weather messes up our plans.

Yes. Part of the cost covers borrowing any equipment you may need including light, helmet, oversuit, SRT kit and ropes. We may be able to lend a small number of wellies and undersuits too.

We’re keen for everyone to feel comfortable in our group so we introduce people new to Caving Crew trips with an experienced “buddy” to help them find their feet and answer any questions. Everyone is extremely welcoming, and you’re likely to make some firm friends very fast.

This usually doesn’t work.

All plans are made the night before, usually changing 3-4 times during the night and changing at least once in the morning. This makes it extremely difficult to tell anyone where to be and when. It might be possible to come for the day, if you were prepared to arrive at the campsite at ~7am and were prepared for mountains of faff and uncertainty. If that was me, I’d probably conclude it wasn’t worth it.

You also will struggle because you have to drive home in the evening – rather than stay for any social bits where the group really gets to know each other.

Ask it on the facebook group and we’ll reply ASAP.

You're very welcome to come - but unfortunately we can't offer you a discount. Do come along!

SRT isn’t essential, there are plenty of caves in the areas which don’t need it.

Everyone plays a part in making these weekends happen.

You can give us your preferences on what you'd prefer to help with, and we'll do our best to accommodate your choices - but this may not always be possible.

We don't segregate on perceived differences, put your sleeping bag in a bunk to reserve that as your place to sleep.

Please have a conversation between lift giver and lift getter about sharing the price of fuel between you. It's up to you to have this conversation and work out something mutually agreeable between you.

The Caving Crew is fully run by volunteers. No one is paid for sharing their caving and rope skills amongst the group. Nobody is using or assumed to be trained to professional qualifications unless they tell you otherwise in writing.

Everyone that comes to Caving Crew events recognises:

“that caving, cave diving and mine exploration are activities with a danger of personal injury or death, and by taking part acknowledge they are aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.“

Our Cancellation Policy is here

You will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow (optional but recommended), any caving kit you own, alcohol, snacks, and several changes of underwear as whatever you wear caving will get wet and dirty.

Part of the cost includes hiring use of the special equipment you’ll use. Here’s what you should bring:

• Some warm older/less nice clothes to wear as a base layer underneath the caving-specific clothes we will provide. Some examples
  • Fleece jumpers
  • Leggings
  • Thermal base layers
  • Outdoorsy t-shirts

Avoid anything made from cotton or untreated wool (such as t-shirts or wooly jumpers); synthetic fabrics that keep their warmth when wet work best here. You will be provided with a thick fleece layer and a protective outer layer to wear over this, so if all you have is cotton you’re better going without.

• Change of socks/underwear/replacement clothing. Anything you wear into the cave will likely be too wet and dirty to wear afterwards in the car, so make sure you have spare clothes for the drive home.
• Wellies (we do have spares if necessary, but the sizes and stock are limited). These aren’t special wellies – £12 wellies from go-outdoors or sparkling pink wellies with fur linings are great for caving.
• Towel
• Any important medicines you take
• Contact lenses or string for your glasses.
• A full sealed snack you enjoy eating (eg a mars bar)

What will I be borrowing?

If you don’t already have them:

• Caving Oversuit to go over your undersuit
• Caving Undersuit to go underneath your oversuit
• Caving Helmet with Caving Headtorch and fully charged Batteries
• Wellies

We’ll also be carrying the appropriate group equipment.

Arrive at the hut, drink, be merry. Look up the weather forecast and make plans for Saturday.

Plans are always dependent on weather and hangovers, but Saturday is typically when we'll head out for a longer caving trip. SRT training, trawling the local cafes and cheese shops, and general aboveground activities are also options.

Sunday typically involves waking up, having breakfast and cleaning the hut. Typically we'll run a shorter Sunday trip once the hut has been cleaned, then part ways and head home.