The Derbyshire Caving Association
Working for Cavers
The DCA is a volunteer organisation working for and with cavers to maintain access to, preserve and record the underground world of the Peak District and surrounding area.
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Access
Whether it is maintaining a fence or stile, installing a new lid, manging access to a site, or just talking to landowners about what is under their property, the DCA works hard to ensure continued access to caves and mines. We maintain an online access database at peakdistrictcaving.info.
Conservation
DCA preserves and secures cave and mine sites through its We are focussed on the conservation and protection of the delicate underground world for future generations to enjoy. We work with bodies like Natural England and the National Trust to protect caves and educate the caving community and wider public.
Equipment
DCA has trained and insured installers that place resin anchors into the local caves and mines for use by anyone. We follow a nationally agreed set of protocols with other Regional Caving Councils and are a member of the BCA Equipment & Techniques Committee. To learn more about this area of our work see the Equipment pages.
Projects
DCA preserves and secures cave and mine sites through its project work. This is often an essential activity to ensure access can be maintained. Projects range from stile repair to completely rebuilding shaft tops. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with our current and future projects.
Training
The DCA runs a range of very cheap or totally free caver training workshops throughout the year. There are a diverse mix of workshops on topics like SRT skills, cave photography, mine hazards and navigation. We also support caving clubs with their own training by running ‘train the trainer’ events. See the training pages for details of upcoming workshops.
Membership & Meetings
Joining the DCA to support and participate in our work is easy. If you are a member of a DCA affiliated club you are already supporting us, but you can also join as an individual member. Details of how to join are here.
See our meetings page for information about upcoming meetings and to find the minutes of previous meetings.
Recent News
- 2023 DCA Cave Exploration Prize – Winners AnnouncedThis is the second year that DCA have run a competition to reward cavers for the most new cave discovered at one site in our region. The full details of… Read more: 2023 DCA Cave Exploration Prize – Winners Announced
- 2023 SSSI Cave Monitoring Competition WinnerThe Derbyshire Caving Association is happy to announce the winner of the DCA Cave Conservation competition for 2023.
- New Stile for Oxlow FarmThe access stile from the parking area for Oxlow, Maskhill and Nettle Pot has been rebuilt by volunteers.
- Rigging Changes at Garlands PotDCA installers have recently replaced anchors at Garlands Pot in Giants Hole.
News from Peak District Caving (the Cave Registry)
- Access changes for Clatterway LevelsSee website for details PDCi
- Access changes for Clatterway Levels**important** Clatterway has become dangerously unstable, one or more rocks in the roof that have to be squeezed past, in flat out crawls, are now loose, wobble and are likely to fall. It is strongly advised NOT to attempt Clatterway until DCA/PDHMS have inspected and hopefully made repairs. PDCi
- Access changes for Eyam Dale House CaveThere has been a change to the access for Eyam Dale House Cave. Please refer to the updated access section on the Cave Registry prior to your next trip here, PDCi
- Access changes for Watergrove SoughUpdated access info PDCi
- Warning for Snake MineUpdated access contact info from email to WhatsApp. PDCi
- Access changes for Great Masson CavernThe Great Masson PDCi listing was updated with safety warning. There are reports of a cracked section of roof near to the mine entrance. Details on the DCA Registry here: PDCi
