Multi-day Caving in Waitomo

Dates:

Monday 12th June - Saturday 17th of July

Meeting place:

Van shed at bottom of drive

Meeting time:

Monday 8:30am

Departure time:

As soon as the trailer is packed, and everyone is ready we'll head off.

Trip Overview

The Year 13 Outdoor Education class will embark on a six day journey down to Waitomo to explore some of the wild caves that the region has to offer. We will use the assistance of experienced cave guides from The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company.

When we arrive in Waitomo we will stay at the Hamilton Tomo Group hut, located at 155 Te Anga Road, Waitomo. The hut will be our base where we will eat, sleep, plan and prepare for each day’s caving. We will drive back up to Whangarei on Saturday, arriving at WBHS around 4pm. Clean-up will then take an extra hour.

Cave Trips

Tuesday through Friday will see the class experience four different wild (non-commercial) caves. The planned caves to explore are Zwei Höhlen, Lee's Swamp, Cleft of the Orcs, Millars Waterfall. There may be variations to the caves based on the confidence levels of the students and environmental factors.

Skills

Students will use the rope skills which they will have mastered during class time at school. These skills will allow them to ascend, descend, and switch from one rope to another. Depending on the group’s confidence and shown ability, there may also be first aid scenarios added to the trips.

Clothing

Waitomo is in the heart of King Country, and it is generally 4 degrees colder than Whangarei. It is crucial that all students have plenty of warm clothing, and four pairs of thermal tops and long johns made from polypropylene or merino. The thermal tops and bottoms will be used for caving and will get wet during each trip. By bringing multiple pairs, it allows one pair to dry while the other is being worn.

Food

Given the length of the trip, the food provided by the school will be high energy. The school will provide food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner where needed. If students would like treats then they will need to provide these themselves. Students will need to bring a packed meal or money for dinner on the Monday when we make our way down to Waitomo. For the cave trips, students should bring muesli bars, chocolate bars, and bags of lollies.

Sleeping

Students will need to bring their sleeping bag as we will be staying at a caving hut which has large bunk-type beds.

Gear supplied by each student:

• Beanie

• Warm clothes (including thermals. It is recommended that each student has four sets of thermals)

• Plenty of warm socks and spare underwear

• Shoes

• Wet weather gear

• Drink bottle(s)

• Sleeping bag

• Pillow

• Snacks

• Packed dinner or money for dinner for Monday night

• Home baking for in the evenings

• Any medicines required e.g. asthma inhaler

• Toiletries

• A towel

Gear supplied by the school:

• Helmets

• Headlights

• Overalls

• Gumboots

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Specialist caving equipment e.g. SRT kits, ropes etc

The hut has a bunk-room, lounge, dining room, kitchen, hot showers etc. The kitchen is fully equipped so students do not need to bring eating or cooking utensils.