Hey all, The hype has been building for some time, and some times it feels like you can't enter stores without someone talking about it. That's right, it's almost that most magical time of year, where we leave of work and studying to join together and celebrate the true meaning of this most special time of year. Caving. Winter Tour is almost upon us, and it is my job to work out whether you're nice enough to join us, or naughty enough to get sent down an abandoned coal mine*! WHAT: Cecilia, our Tours Secretary has worked hard to make this an incredible week of caving over New Year's Eve and into the New Year. Yorkshire is the premier caving destination in the UK, and you'll have a chance to tackle some the most exciting caves on offer, such as Gaping Ghyll (30th Dec), Easegill (Dec 31st), King Pot, Notts 2 (Jan 5th), and many more! You'll have a chance to learn advanced skills such as rigging and the length-ways table traverse. *Don't worry if you can't make it for the full week*, many people come and go by train (see TRANSPORT). Please make sure you've attended at least one of our Wednesday afternoon Tree Training sessions if you want to come on Winter Tour - the trips will be technical and you'll need the training. On Jan 4th, six people will be able to take part in an all day Cave Rescue Training course with Tony Seddon (priority for current and upcoming leaders, a caving trip will run on this day). TRANSPORT: A minibus will leave from the Union during the day on Dec 29th. It will return to the Union on 6th Jan. We only have 9 seats cos the rest of the space is needed for vast quantities of caving gear and rope. The closest train station is Clapham, North Yorkshire. It's about 30 minutes walk away, or we can pick you up if you arrive in the evening or early morning. If you take the train up you'll need to pack your own kit before the minibus leaves (probably before Christmas!) so we can take it up for you. Contact me if you need any help getting the right trains and finding a cheap ticket. ACCOMMODATION: We'll be staying at Greenclose cottage, the North Pennine Club's caving hut, and our spiritual home. It's got great showers, a drying room, wifi and a really warm fire - the perfect place to spend a week! FOOD: Food will be of the standard you have come to expect from the caving club. COST: Cost will be worked out on a per person basis, depending on how long you come for. The cost of the minibus is split between everyone regardless of whether you got a seat, cos we have to get the rope North somehow! As an example, the full cost for a week last year was £92.99 - not bad for a week of food, booze and caving! If you want to sign up, email me on ic.caving@gmail.com. If you need a seat on the minibus it's important you email me soon cos if there's a huge demand we might get a 15 seater. Otherwise, let me know when you plan to arrive so Cecilia and I can start to plan. Cheers, Jack *Just kidding, this ain't Derbyshire. -- Imperial College Caving Club <http://union.ic.ac.uk/rcc/caving>