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CAVING

The Club's origins were in caving.  For more information about Caving activities see the DCC pages or read the summaries here.  There is also a gallery of Club caving photographs.

Novice Trips -o- Experienced Trips -o- Digging and Exploration -o- Expeditions -o- Safety.

NOVICE TRIPS

New members are always welcome in the caving and mining side of the Club. It is recognised that new caving members may need training to help them to become safe and skilful cavers. Members of the Club are therefore prepared to take novice cavers on trips in Derbyshire and Yorkshire to help them learn the sport. The Club has available a small amount of equipment and lights which it is able to loan to novices to help them on their first trips. After that, novices are expected to buy their own personal equipment such as clothing, helmet, light and selected safety items. To find out more abut novice trips, contact the Secretary.

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EXPERIENCED TRIPS

Over recent years, the balance of the Club has shifted towards work at Alderley Edge Mines. Nevertheless, some members still undertake experienced caving trips in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and South Wales. If you contact the Club via any member, you will be put in touch with the members who regularly cave in limestone areas. The Club also has an overlapping membership with the Alternative Derbyshire Caving Club (which is also based in Stockport!) and which is dedicated to caving.

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DIGGING AND EXPLORATION

To some cavers, sporting trips are the main aim in caving but to others, digging and exploration are more important. The Club has a long reputation for discoveries in Derbyshire and Yorkshire, albeit minor ones in most cases, and members are still digging some of the old chestnuts such as Rowter Hole and Nettle Pot. The feeling on walking into a new piece of cave where no one has been before and which no one even knew existed is beyond description. Digging is a very personal activity and relies on the initiative of individual members so if this is your interest, you need to get to know the Club and find out who is digging and where. Referring to the old Club publications and records can be a useful starting place.

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EXPEDITIONS

Expeditions have many uses, two of which are to give members the excuse for a caving holiday and to find new passage in foreign countries where caves are more plentiful and often larger. But expeditions can also be good opportunities to widen one's circle of caving friends as few expeditions these days are limited to members from one club alone. DCC members have been taking part in expeditions since the Club was formed and some of the more notable ones are listed below:

The best way to find out what expeditions are planned or being considered is to become a member and join in with the caving fraternity.

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SAFETY IN CAVING AND MINING

There is no question but that caving and mining is a hazardous activity but by taking sensible precautions, it does not need to lead to accidents.  Most accidents to experienced cavers arise out of difficult to foresee events such as rock falls or exceptional weather events.  However, cavers still take safety seriously and indeed provide cave rescue services at no cost to each other, even though these officially come under the Police.  For more information about safety in caving, click HERE.

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© Copyright DCC and Nigel Dibben: 2008   Last updated: 27/06/2008