Sunday, September 05, 2010  
 
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SKI SCHOOL
26-07-2010 
Our 2010 Mount Buffalo Cross Country Ski School is now up and running - see winter 2010


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CAVING


 

INFORMATION - UNDERGROUND RIVER CAVE ADVENTURES

FOR SCHOOL GROUPS

AT Mt BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK

 

 

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(Click on photo to enlarge)

The underground river cave at Mt Buffalo is a horizontal boulder infill type cave, some 350 metres long. It has a number of exits.

There is an active steam in the cave and when water levels are moderate, there are numerous rapids and waterfalls to challenge the caving team.

This cave is wet and cold with tight squeezes and slippery rocks. It is a horizontal cave so no roped work is needed for access and it is all crawling and squeezing and teamwork.

DURATION

The adventure normally takes approximately 3 hours (Including rigging, briefings and walking to and from the cave – about 1.3 km)

We will only conduct full or Multi Day programs at Mount Buffalo due to the distance and need to pay leaders for a full days work.


Ø       We can run

o    Two caves in the day (For separate caving teams if you have more than 12 participants)

o    Caving and Abseiling (Both half day activities – either for one team or two with a change over at midday)

o    Or, we can run a full days caving for one team – commencing in Burston’s Crevasse (Abseils – small caves and steel wire ladder) and then finishing in the Underground River Cave.

VALUES AND OUTCOMES

The activity is conducted as a team adventure with the participants being required to participate in the running of the cave and communicating within the group. Caving is one of the best team and leadership activities available in the outdoors.

Outcomes that meet the needs of your group and the program that they are participating in   can be built into the activity

EQUIPMENT

We provide two competent cave leaders suitable for working with your group.

You will need:

Ø   Thermal underwear and or warm synthetic clothes such as an old track suit or fleece clothing (Long Trousers and Long Sleeves) as the underground river can be a cold cave.

Ø   Sturdy runners or boots (Sports sandals are not acceptable)

Ø   Medication as required (such as an asthma puffer)

Ø   A full change of shoes and clothing and a towel for when you finish the cave as we will get very wet!

Ø   A plastic bag for wet and dirty clothing at the end of the Adventure!

Ø   Cameras are not recommended if they are not waterproof.

We provide:

Ø   Helmets and Helmet lights

Ø   Knee pads

Ø   Safety Ropes :

MEETING LOCATIONS

We normally meet at the Mt Buffalo Gorge Car-park (near the stone hut) at the lower end of the car-park at the time arranged:

PRICE

The price will depend on which activity you select and how many days in the program

As an example – A School group FULL DAY cave adventure could be conducted for from $1100.00 for a full day - single team of up to 12 students - with the Burstson’s Crevasse / Underground river cave option being facilitated (Price for 2010 only and subject to change without notice)

TIME OF YEAR

We can normally conduct caving from November to Mid may at Mount Buffalo, dependant on weather conditions.

Assumption of Risk Forms:

Participants (or their parents / guardians) etc may need to complete assumption of risk forms at prior to participation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You will normally need to bring your own lunches and other snacks as suitable for the duration of the adventure except where provided as a part of a package.

You will need your own transport unless otherwise arranged.

There is a vehicle entry fee to the Mount Buffalo National Park (In 2010 this is $10.60 for a car and from $55.00 for a bus)

For the minimum standards for adventures (on Public Land in Victoria) see the Adventure Activity Standards on www.orc.org.au

For the current list of licensed operators on Public Land see www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

CONTACT David Chitty (Activity Director) Mobile 0410280614 – E Mail agati@netc.net.au