SKP9, ready to set new limits...

Today the SKP9 team is ready to tackle the deepest and already longest caves on Soqotra.
The complex and labyrinthic Difshelei cave and fairly straightforward Giniba Cave.

Both caves have a rather difficult and intreaging genesis, which is not related to the actual drainage of the systems! Hopefully we obtain more insights to start to understand the karst development on the Island in a geological point of view?

Inch Allah!

SKP9 is finalising the preparations

Evenings of planning the logistics, preparing and training the team is coming to an happy end.
The last meeting was held tonight, just before the lift off, of SKP9.
Everyone is more than motivated and really enthousiastic, as limits are set to break.
Just received the image here in my mailbox in Dubai, sad that I can't enjoy a Belgian trappist Rochefort beer, as on this occasion, it is the only rectified beverage to drink!

Cheers,
Peter

General Update

Heidi and me are living in Dubai now. Organising an expedition is one thing, but moving abroad to become an expat is something different. Of coarse you do this only once, because once an expat, always an ...? Anyway, SKP9 is taking shape under the leadership of Rudi Debbaut this time. There is only one new member this time, all the rest are experienced SKP'ers. Just weird to see this shaping up from abroad this first time.

A new chapter

My research project is set aside for a while. A new job was offered in the Emirates (Dubai) regarding land reclamation, while another opportunity would lead us to Yemen (Sana'a). Although both are equally challenging, Dubai is just a safer option in many regards. So SKP10 with around 40 to 50 people willing to join is cancelled. No real problem as SKP had to move back to its source. SKP9 is now forming, under the leadership of Rudi Debbaut.

SKP... "The Movie"...!

Next year "SKP the movie" (work title) can we expected!
Rik Martens will put all his free time, material and efforts in to it to make the magic happen.
He will direct it, edit it, make the storey line, text, music,... Succes MAN!

New jobs, new possibilities?

The visit to the Emirates has got greater consequences than initially thought. My wife and I will travel back to Dubai in the near future (October) to start a new job as a geologist! My scientific research will be temperately put on a site track. A second job offer from Yemen sounded very exiting too, but the decision was already made. We will keep on working closely together with the Yemeni government and Ministries and can hopefully even contribute directly from the Emirates.
The SKP9 expeditions, scheduled for the end of December - beginning of January 2008, will be organised through the previous core team members and focus both on the length and depth potentials of the Soqotran Karst features!

July again, caving time for the team!

During July - August most members are underground exploring new caves all over the world, success everybody!

SKP in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Kay Van Damme, my wife and I get a round trip in the Emirates. Our presentation itself is well received by local VIP's and the Arabian media. We are extremely pleased by the invitation and hope to work together on future mutual initiatives.

SKP invited by the UAE!

I receive a phone call from the Belgian Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates with the question if I was willing to give a presentation about SKP in Abu Dhabi for the “Ministry of Information Affairs”. Direct contacts are established and the idea further discussed.

SKP in sunny Vienna

Science continues and the results are this time discussed at the European Geosciences Union congres in Vienna (Austria). My wife and I have just an additional weekend to hike true the little "left-over" snow at some mountain peaks, as it is hot in the area?

One expedition this year instead of two!

We meet again on the 23rd at the TRT club house in Merksem (Antwerp). The plans for SKP9 in the beginning of this year are postponed towards the end of this year. There is not enough time for a detailed preparation and still way too many people interested. People who will join SKP9 have to have a clear contribution to the expedition and a certain amount of expertise in a specific field, tropical caving tourism is not an issue!

Website under construction

The engine of the new website is a fact, but more updated text and pictures will have to be added.

A new year, New dreams, a New Website...

A new year, a new start, a new website (at least the concept and initiative). It looks like an interesting year again for SKP: a few expeditions, more research to coming to an end phase and a new documentary film... of course we will inform you monthly right here!