1) What's caving all about then?

Most people have heard of caving, but few wonder what the sport actually entails. By definition it is the non-competitive exploration of underground passages, but this really is just the start. Every cave is different: crawling, walking, climbing, abseiling, wading through water and sometimes swimming are all part of the exploring underground. The caves can contain tight crawls and huge cathedral sized chambers. Caves also contain streamways which are good fun to visit and often very beautiful. On most caving trips you will get muddy and damp. This can range from being completely plastered in huge quantities of thick mud to passing through a completely submerged section of passage. The time underground varies depending on the cave and route taken. Some trips will be less than an hour, but occasionally we may camp for several days in a cave. The normal length of a trip though is between 3 and 6 hours. As people gain experience the types of cave visited and trips will change. At the start of term we run several trips especially for people that have not previously caved.

2) Why should I go caving?

Because it's fun. Really. Look at it this way -this may be your only chance to do it. It's a good chance to get to know lots of new people, see parts of the country that you've never seen before and impress your other friends when they ask what you've been doing over the weekend. You'll also see some amazing things underground and do things with your body that you didn't think were possible.

3) What range of experience does the club have?

All sorts. The club is a right old mixture of people, from Freshers right through postgrads and right through to people who never really got round to leaving and are now wizened by the ravages of time. As a result there is a wide range of abilities, and experience is filtered down from older members all the time.

4) What if I don't like it?

Hey, we know that the first time is always difficult -you're feeling nervous, insecure and you don't know where to put your bits. We've all been there, so there's no pressure. Some people take to it like a duck to a lightbulb, some like a moth to water. It's definititely worth trying. If you don't like it, well at least you know and you have the satisfaction of at least having tried. There will also be no pressure from those in the club should you find out that caving really isn't your bag after all. In fact we'll even try and help you find a new bag.

5) What sort of gear do I need?

Each person in the caving party needs protective clothing, durable and reliable lighting, food and a survival bag. For the first few trips pretty much everything is provided (or lent) and proper caving helmets are supplied by the club, along with caving lights and spare batteries. Protective clothing such as a wet suit (for especially wet caves), or an oversuit are usually worn. Under the oversuit people wear fleece or fibre pile suits or old warm clothes. On the first fresher's trips new members normally bring 2 sets of old clothes and borrow spare kit from other club members. If you find you really like caving, you can buy your own gear on a trip as we often visit a caving shop. Wellington boots are excellent for caving, alternatively an old pair of leather walking boots are fine but will be somewhat the worse for wear afterwards. Wet suit socks are ideal as these keep your feet warm whether wet or dry. Everybody should also bring at least one Mars bar, preferably two. A light weight survival blanket is also needed as a precautionary measure. These can be bought from the club and cost £1-2.

6) Is it safe?

Yes. Like any active sport there are no guarantees, but safety is of paramount importance. Groups taken underground are all kitted out properly and groups are kept small in number. To guide, instruct and help people, each group has several experienced leaders. All our gear is checked regularly, our leaders will know what to expect and we won't let anyone do anything if we don't think they are up to it. You will also be trained fully above ground before undertaking any rope work. You can read more about this in the caving club's constitution and safety policy, and we are proud to say that we have won safety awards from the University's Sports Federation on two occasions.

7) Where does the club cave?

We spend our weekends in one of the four major caving regions in Britain (Mendips, Derbyshire, South Wales and the Yorkshire Dales). The fresher's trips usually go to Derbyshire at the start of the first term. We stay in a bunk house in Castleton, which is very convenient for the caves and pubs. We visit South Wales at the end of the first term, staying at a cottage in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Mendips (south of Bristol) is the closest caving area to Reading and hence day trips and weekends are organised to here. The Yorkshire Dales are the most popular caving area with members because it contains many deep cave systems and potholes with vertical pitches (and for that whole Yorkshire experience). We visit these in the second and third terms, as prior cave experience is required before learning the special techniques needed to safely descend and ascend vertical pitches which can be up to 300ft deep. We usually stay at Ingleton in a caravan park, which is close to some rather fine pubs, legendary cafes and outdoorsy-type shops which sell caving gear. The club normally runs a summer expedition. The club has links with a group of Romanian cavers, and past expeditions have allowed us to explore underground glaciers, row across massive underground lakes, and complete scientific work such as surveying and mapping caves. The club has also run expeditions to Turkey and France. A further expedition to Romania is planned for Summer 2000.

8) Whats's the difference between caving and potholing?

Potholing is caving. Caving is the generic term for exploration of underground passageways, and involves walking or crawling, with the odd climb or descent, usually by ladder. Potholes are straighter, vertical holes formed by water in limestone areas. It involves going up and down ropes, using 'SRT' ('Single Rope Technique') The club owns SRT kits, which comprise of an array of pulleys, jammers and harnesses. Members are fully trained before being let loose down a pothole. Not that we'd let you go down loose.

9) How often are the trips? How much do they cost?

There tends to be about four trips a term, mostly weekend trips. We normally leave from outside Wantage Hall of residence at 6pm on the Friday evening, and get back to Reading late Sunday night for that full-on caving experience. We usually go by minibus, which are driven by qualified club members. The trips cost you about 20 pounds each, which includes accommodation, breakfast, transport and use of club kit. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag, old clothes, a towel, money, and some food (for example Mars bars).

10) OK, I think I could do this. How do I join?

Get in touch with one of us through e-mail -Sarah our president is at sau97jpt@reading.co.uk and we'll explain what's what. Better still we are always in the Back of Beyond in Kings Road (opposite the library and away from town a bit) from 9.30 p.m on Mondays -speak to some one sporting on of our fine range of caving club leisurewear or ask around. There should be plenty of us. You'll need Sport Federation Insurance (£9.00) and £4.00 to join.