Dave Clucas

Dave has been caving since 1974 when he joined the Buxton Speleological Group. In Europe he has caved in France, Greece and Spain. He was a founder member of The Buxton Sub Aqua Club and became a BSAC diving instructor in 1978. He was a member of the Cave Diving Group in Derbyshire for nine years serving as treasurer for most of that time. In 1983 he organised and took part in a cave diving expedition to Greece. As a member of the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation he took part in many rescues and served as Equipment Officer for over ten years.

He became a member of the Peak District Mines Historical Society in 1976 and served on the council for many years. He has explored mines in Britain, America and Spain and has been involved in the exploration and recording of Old Millclose Mine (over 20Kms) in Derbyshire for almost twenty years.

In 1988 he visited the Nare River Cave in East New Britain having cancelled his place on the 1984 expedition due to the imminent birth of his daughter Nari. In 1992 he first visited Mulu in Borneo and has returned almost every year since, marrying a local Sarawakian in 2003.Always keen on achieving he has tried many past-times including photography, sailing, skiing and flying, obtaining his private pilot's licence in 1994.

He has been involved in several major digs in Derbyshire including Valley Shaft - Old Millclose where a 100 foot deep shaft was excavated over 4 years, Snelslow where a new 60 foot deep shaft was sunk and Hurdlow where a 120 foot shaft was sunk to connect with Titan. He was also involved in the dig which led to the discovery of Sidetrack Cave.

As a partner in an engineering company until retiring in 1997 he has travelled to many parts of the world but has always been happiest in South East Asia

Photo: Dave Clucas on Traverse of Life in Titan by Robbie Shone