Reading University Caving Club

Below are details of trips that RUCC are running, along with an outline of what you need to bring.

Upcoming Caving Trips and Events

See our calendar below containing details of our trips and other upcoming club events:

Mon 28th Sep 8:00pm 11:30pm	e-Pub Night - Meet & Greet While COVID-19 prevents us from meeting up as much as normal, we are still having fun! Every Monday, we hold weekly online 'e-Pub' nights, starting at around 8pm. This week, we are running a special "meet & greet" e-Pub night for all new and potential club members. Anyone is welcome to join this - you can learn more about our club and our activities, ask any questions you may have, as well as start getting to know our existing members. We normally use Facebook Rooms for our e-Pub nights - to take part, simply join our Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/rucavers/) now, and we'll post a link on there when the e-Pub night is due to start.
Mon 5th Oct 8:00pm 11:30pm	e-Pub Night - Meet & Greet While COVID-19 prevents us from meeting up as much as normal, we are still having fun! Every Monday, we hold weekly online 'e-Pub' nights, starting at around 8pm. This week, we are running a special "meet & greet" e-Pub night for all new and potential club members. Anyone is welcome to join this - you can learn more about our club and our activities, ask any questions you may have, as well as start getting to know our existing members. We normally use Facebook Rooms for our e-Pub nights - to take part, simply join our Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/rucavers/) now, and we'll post a link on there when the e-Pub night is due to start.
Mon 12th Oct 8:00pm 11:30pm	e-Pub Night - Meet & Greet While COVID-19 prevents us from meeting up as much as normal, we are still having fun! Every Monday, we hold weekly online 'e-Pub' nights, starting at around 8pm. This week, we are running a special "meet & greet" e-Pub night for all new and potential club members. Anyone is welcome to join this - you can learn more about our club and our activities, ask any questions you may have, as well as start getting to know our existing members. We normally use Facebook Rooms for our e-Pub nights - to take part, simply join our Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/rucavers/) now, and we'll post a link on there when the e-Pub night is due to start.
Mon 19th Oct 8:00pm 11:30pm	e-Pub Night - Meet & Greet While COVID-19 prevents us from meeting up as much as normal, we are still having fun! Every Monday, we hold weekly online 'e-Pub' nights, starting at around 8pm. This week, we are running a special "meet & greet" e-Pub night for all new and potential club members. Anyone is welcome to join this - you can learn more about our club and our activities, ask any questions you may have, as well as start getting to know our existing members. We normally use Facebook Rooms for our e-Pub nights - to take part, simply join our Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/rucavers/) now, and we'll post a link on there when the e-Pub night is due to start.
Mon 20th Sep 8:00pm 12:00am	RUCC Pub night @ Monks Retreat
Thu 23rd Sep 11:00am 5:00pm	RUSU Sports freshers fayre To any and all Freshers (and anyone else who's keen); come meet the RUCC squad at the Sports Fayre on Thursday 23rd. We'll have a booth set up where you can come talk to us, find out just what caving is, and ask any questions.
Sat 25th Sep 8:00am 8:00pm	Caving Day Trip - Surrey Mines Our first trip for the academic year, we're going to Surrey Mines. This trip is aimed at our new members, but anyone can join! Members and non members are welcome at this trip. We have a limited capacity of 12 and are operating on a first come first serve basis so please express interest and ask any questions you have. As a change from our usual naturally formed cave, we will be popping to some manmade quarries and mines. We shall be exploring some subterranean delights close to home - a mere 1 hour away from Reading, near Reigate. Our guides will take us through 4 different mines throught the day. Bedlams Bank and Godstone Mine are abandoned heathstone (a type of building stone) mines, and we will also be visiting Barons and Tunnel Rd Mines. We will meed at the tackle store at 8.00am, pack kit etc, then jump on the minibus and or cars and meet with our guides about 10am. None of the mines present any particular technical challenge - I am told they've even had 4 year olds visit the site! 😛 There will likely be some crawling and one of the mines is known for its 4ft head-height, which can get a little tiring after a while. We will likely not be getting wet. This trip will cost £10 per person to cover the minibus rental & fuel costs What the club will provide: * Helmet & Light * Wellies What you'll need: * Jeans * A change of clothes * A packed lunch For further info, see our Facebook event: fb.me/e/EUYuoyuH You can purchase tickets for this trip on our RUSU page: www.rusu.co.uk/student.....ving/ Please also mark yourself as 'going' on our Facebook event, or send an email to [email protected], so we can confirm your place.
Mon 27th Sep 8:00pm 11:59pm	RUCC Pub night @ BoBs (Back Of Beyond) Join us for our usual Monday pub night! This is a great chance to meet us if you haven't done so already, socialise, and learn more about caving. We're a friendly bunch, and anyone is welcome to attend, whether or not you are a club member. This week, we're meeting at the Back of Beyond pub in town, from around 8pm. For more info, see our Facebook event: fb.me/e/1HnfWFywF The Back Of Beyond - JD Wetherspoon, 104-108 King's Rd, Reading RG1 3BY, UK
Sat 2nd Oct 8:00am 9:00pm	Caving Day Trip - Somerset Come with us on a day trip to a cave in the Mendip Hills in Somerset! This trip is particularly suitable for beginners, but all are welcome: On Saturday: * Meet at the Tackle Store 9:00.. hopefully * Pack caving supplies * Head to 2hrs by car to Mendips * Get changed in a clubs changing rooms, or changing barn * CAVE * CAVE * SNACK * CAVE * Come out and get changed back * Meal at a local pub * And return home What you'll need to bring: * A change of clothes (including spare socks & underwear) for after the cave * A packed lunch * A snack bar * A towel * Some money for pub, convenience stores * Trainers / Boots (may get muddy) * If you have them thermals, warm hat * Disposable water bottle What we Provide: * Helmet / Light * Oversuit (For Protection) * Onesie undersuit (For Warmth) * Wellies * Gloves * Belt / Harness / Cowstails Recommended equipment if you have it (optional)? * Knee pads / Elbow pads See our Facebook event for more info: fb.me/e/5Gp7eoYtG The trip costs just £10.15, Tickets are available on our RUSU page: www.rusu.co.uk/student.....ving/ Please also mark yourself as 'going' on our Facebook event, or send an email to [email protected], so we can confirm your place.
Mon 4th Oct 8:00pm 11:59pm	RUCC Pub night @ Mojos Join us for our usual Monday pub night! This is a great chance to meet us if you haven't done so already, socialise, and learn more about caving. We're a friendly bunch, and anyone is welcome to attend, whether or not you are a club member. This week, we're meeting at Mojo's in the RUSU building on campus, from around 8pm. For more info, see our Facebook event: fb.me/e/1N89qTi00 Mojo's Bar, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UR, UK
Fri 8th Oct 6:00pm to Sun 10th Oct 11:00pm	Weekend Caving Trip to South Wales (SWCC) Give caving a try on our first weekend trip of the academic year! We will be staying in a cozy hut in the Swansea Valley, and going on trips down Ogof Ffynnon Ddu (OFD), one of the finest caves in the UK. The Cost is just £35 including food, transport and accommodation. See our Facebook event for more info: fb.me/e/1EILixayW You can purchase tickets for this trip on our RUSU page: www.rusu.co.uk/student.....ving/ Please also mark yourself as 'going' on our Facebook event, or send an email to [email protected], so we can confirm your place.
Mon 11th Oct 8:00pm 12:00am	RUCC ePub night on Facebook Rooms
Mon 18th Oct 8:00pm 12:00am	RUCC Pub night @ The Dairy
Fri 5th Nov to Sun 7th Nov  all day	Weekend Caving Trip to Mendip (Somerset) (Fireworks)
Fri 5th Nov to Sun 7th Nov  all day	Reading University X15 Reading University booked by Harry Everitt Bristol Exploration Club, Wells Rd, Wells BA5 3AU, UK
Fri 19th Nov to Sun 21st Nov  all day	Porthmadog (north Wales) Weekend trip
Fri 26th Nov to Sun 28th Nov  all day	CHECC forum - Yorkshire
Fri 4th Feb to Sun 6th Feb  all day	RUCC x20 Reading University Caving Club  booked by: Jonathan Abrahams Bristol Exploration Club, Wells Rd, Wells BA5 3AU, UK
Fri 4th Feb 6:00pm to Sun 6th Feb 11:30pm	Caving weekend trip to Mendtip - BEC - Belfry
Mon 21st Feb 8:00pm 11:00pm	RUCC @ The Roebuck
Fri 4th Mar to Sun 6th Mar  all day	RUCC @ Southern CHECC
Fri 18th Mar to Sun 20th Mar  all day	RUCC @ Northern CHECC
Thu 22nd Sep  all day	RU Cavers @ Freshers Fayre
Sun 25th Sep  all day	Reading Mine trip - Evening Our first trip for the academic year, we're going to the Reading Chalk Mines. This taster trip is aimed at people who have never gone caving before and want to try it out, but anyone can join! Members and non members are welcome at this trip. We have a limited capacity and are operating on a first come first serve basis, so please express interest and ask any questions you have. We will meet at the tackle store at 4:30pm, pack kit etc, then jump in the cars and head off for the mine. The mine does not present any particular technical challenges, and it is regularly visited by scouts and cub scouts. There may be a little bit of crawling, and there is a long ladder at the entrance (we'll attach you to a rope for this bit, to ensure your safety). We will likely not be getting wet. This trip will cost £10 per person to cover the fuel costs, kit hire, and mine access fees. What the club will provide: * Helmet & Light * Oversuit, undersuit & belt * Wellies What you'll need: * Jeans * A change of clothes * A mars bar or similar snack * Some money, in case we decide to go to the pub afterwards Please send an email to [email protected] if you would like to come on this trip, so we can confirm your place.
Mon 26th Sep 8:00pm 11:55pm	Freshers Bar Crawl Come to the first social of the year, meet our members and the committee. We plan to meet at Back of Beyond at 8pm and hoping to finish at Purple Turtle for people to then stay as late as they like. See you all there 😄 The Back of Beyond - JD Wetherspoon, 104-108 King's Rd, Reading RG1 3BY, UK
Wed 28th Sep  all day	Reading Mine trip - Evening Our second trip for the academic year, we're going to the Reading Chalk Mines again. This taster trip is aimed at people who have never gone caving before and want to try it out, but anyone can join! Members and non members are welcome at this trip. We have a limited capacity and are operating on a first come first serve basis, so please express interest and ask any questions you have. We will meet at the tackle store at 5pm, pack kit etc, then jump in the cars and head off for the mine. The mine does not present any particular technical challenges, and it is regularly visited by scouts and cub scouts. There may be a little bit of crawling, and there is a long ladder at the entrance (we'll attach you to a rope for this bit, to ensure your safety). We will likely not be getting wet. This trip will cost £10 per person to cover the fuel costs, kit hire, and mine access fees. What the club will provide: * Helmet & Light * Oversuit, undersuit & belt * Wellies What you'll need: * Jeans * A change of clothes * A mars bar or similar snack * Some money, in case we decide to go to the pub afterwards Please send an email to [email protected] if you would like to come on this trip, so we can confirm your place.
Thu 29th Sep  all day	Reading Mine trip - Evening Our third trip for the academic year, we're going to the Reading Chalk Mines again. This taster trip is aimed at people who have never gone caving before and want to try it out, but anyone can join! Members and non members are welcome at this trip. We have a limited capacity and are operating on a first come first serve basis, so please express interest and ask any questions you have. We will meet at the tackle store at 5pm, pack kit etc, then jump in the cars and head off for the mine. The mine does not present any particular technical challenges, and it is regularly visited by scouts and cub scouts. There may be a little bit of crawling, and there is a long ladder at the entrance (we'll attach you to a rope for this bit, to ensure your safety). We will likely not be getting wet. This trip will cost £10 per person to cover the fuel costs, kit hire, and mine access fees. What the club will provide: * Helmet & Light * Oversuit, undersuit & belt * Wellies What you'll need: * Jeans * A change of clothes * A mars bar or similar snack * Some money, in case we decide to go to the pub afterwards Please send an email to [email protected] if you would like to come on this trip, so we can confirm your place.
Wed 5th Oct  all day	Extreme sports union social (with kayaking, skydiving, and caving) Come meet us at park bar at 8pm to join us to go to union. Make sure to purchase your union tickets beforehand on the Eventbrite website! See you there
Fri 7th Oct to Sun 9th Oct  all day	RU Cavers @ South Wales Caving Club
Thu 13th Oct  all day	Quiz and karaoke

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About Our Trips

If you want to go on any of the trips, please let our secretary or president know. We may charge a deposit or ask you to make a full upfront payment to confirm your place prior to our trips, as they can be very popular.

For day trips, we usually leave Reading in a minibus at approximately 8am and return in the evening at about 9pm. For evening trips, we usually leave at around 6:30pm and return at around 9:30pm. The day trip or evening trip fee covers all transport, equipment, and any cave entrance fees.

For weekend trips, we usually leave Reading in a minibus at approximately 6pm on a Friday evening and return late on a Sunday, so it’s a pretty intensive weekend, but great fun. The weekend trip fee includes accommodation, travel, equipment, breakfast and Saturday dinner.

Trips will normally start from our tackle store, near Wessex Hall.

If you want to join us or have some questions, then please come to one of our regular pub meet-ups and sign up – please see our Instagram page, our Facebook group or the calendar above for the location of our next pub night. To accompany us you need to have Club membership (£15 for students and £20 for non students) and Reading Students’ Union Sports Federation insurance (prices from £18 per year).

What to Bring

Caving Abroad

Our more enthusiastic members sometimes go caving further afield… In recent years, we’ve enjoyed some fantastic caving (along with various other activities such as hiking, rock climbing, via ferrata and swimming) on club trips to Southern France, Ireland, and Austria.

If you are really keen, there are even opportunities to join the Dachstein Caving Expedition and/or the CUCC Expo in Austria – and explore some of the deepest, most exciting, and least visited caves in the world!

If you’d be interested in going on one of these trips and/or expeditions abroad, or would like to know more, please get in touch with our committee, and we can provide you with all the details.

In previous years our club has travelled even further afield – travelling as far as Spain, Romania, Slovenia and China to see some truly spectacular caves! To read more about some of these historic expeditions, please see our old site…