Expedition Planning

Essential guide for hiking expeditions covering extended planning, advanced gear, multi-day preparation, logistics, safety, and all necessary steps for successful expedition.

Learn all aspects of expedition planning, funding, safety, fieldwork and communication with our library of knowledge and advice for impactful exploration.

Find out how we support a global community through resources, events, advice, and funding.

Pro climber Anna Pfaff shares her expedition packing list. With over 20 far-flung international adventures under her harness, she knows what to bring.

SPECIALIST CAVING & ACTIVITIES TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance specialists, P J Hayman & Company have arranged an exclusive scheme for BCA members.  It is a dedicated product which is only available to full BCA members resident in the UK.

Newcastle University’s proven record of student expeditions stretching back over 70 years.

Eve MacCallum shares lessons learned from her first expedition to Greenland.

Various resources, including Environmental Responsibility, highlights the issues that should be taken into consideration when planning and organising an expedition to assess the damage an expedition might do to the environment and the steps that should be taken to minimise such damage.

The caves of the UK are a very special place indeed, offering glimpses into history and geology. Not only are caves often adorned with formations such as stalactites and stalagmites…

Most of the caves and potholes in the North of England have SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status, either for botanical, biological or geological in

The GPF recognises the value of managing the risks associated with caving expeditions and encourages the use of risk assessments.

Learn essential safety principles for any expedition, covering risk assessments and emergency planning to ensure a safe and successful journey.

Caving requires the use of many complex techniques and skills, ranging from Single Rope Technique (SRT), rescue, first aid, surveying and mapping, photography, conservation…

The CNCC has been providing training opportunities for northern cavers for over 50 years, helping to deliver skills ranging from first aid, conservation techniq

The Caving Wales Training Officer can help any affiliated club with their training needs, whether it is SRT techniques, cave surveying, photography or geological knowledge.

The DCA Training Officer works with the BCA and other Regional Training Officers to support cavers delivering training in club settings. Through out the year, DCA arrange low cost workshops for any…

improving standards and providing access to surveys of caves

Survex is a Free Software/Open Source software package for mapping caves, licensed under the GPL

Therion is a complete package which processes survey data and generates maps or 3D models of caves.

Contribute to CaveSurveying/tunnelx development by creating an account on GitHub.

TopoDroid is an Android app for cave surveying.

Cave surveying and sketching tool with a sexy interface

Buy the Shetland Attack Pony, a cave surveying electronic compass clino and laser range finder, similar to the DistoX

A tough, water resistant survey device built for modern caving. Connects to survey apps TopoDroid & SexyTopo. Fully repairable. Fully yours.

A high precision ruggedized survey tool designed for mapping in the harshest subterranean conditions.

The new generation cave survey tools offer enhanced features, good ergonomics, and a waterproof design

UIS working group on cave survey and mapping

BCRA gradings for a cave line survey

Explore QGIS’s exceptional cartographic design features to craft outstanding maps for desktop, mobile, cloud, and print media

Post-expedition reporting need not be a chore. Learn how to turn your findings into a comprehensive narrative that stands the test of time.

Newcastle University’s proven record of student expeditions stretching back over 70 years.