Application for Grant Aid

Submitted on: 31 Jan 2009


Expedition details (GPF2009a-002)

Expedition Name (& Club): Montenegro 2009
Destination country: Montenegro
Region: Kameno More
Lat: 42.5133 Long: 18.6992 Elevation: 820 m
MEF funding: none

Leader: Joe Duxbury
Total cavers: 16
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0
Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
UK/nonUK cavers: 6/10
Eligible for grant aid:
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition dates: 20th Jun 2009 - 5th Jul 2009
Duration (days): 16
Man-days in field: 80 Man-days travelling: 0
Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

(i) Further exploration of PT4, an undescended pot in the Kameno More area of Montenegro (ii) Exploration of other known caves, and searching for others, in the same area
How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.

Montenegro is one of the last remaining caving areas in Europe that has received little attention, despite its great potential. In addition to exploring a relatively unknown region, this expedition intends to maintain contacts made with SOB and with local cavers in Kotor, Montenegro, over the past 5 years. The assistance of the local cavers with local inhabitants, and any governmental bodies, will be invaluable. We would expect to exchange knowledge of caving techniques, and if required, assist with training. We could be joined by about 5 from SOB, and the same from Kotor.
Detailed description of objectives:

Give a more detailed account of the purpose of the trip, including any particular known caves you intend to visit, specific areas where you will explore for new cave, and scientific experiments you will attempt.

The principal objective PT4 has only been descended to a depth of ~230m. It has an impressive draught, and at the lowest point reached, the sound of running water can be heard for the first time. The entrance is at a height of about 820m, and there is the potential for the cave to descend to sea level. The nearest point on the coast is ~5km away. There are other known caves in the area, which could connect with PT4, and there is potential for others which have not yet been discovered. PT4 and any other caves found would be surveyed.
Previous work in this area:

Give details of any previous work in this area by your own and other teams. Include references to reports and articles published on the area, and the names of any local cavers or academics with whom you have discussed the Expedition.

The cave PT4 was located and partially descended by the Belgrade caving club SOB in 1999, and further exploration in 2000 reached ~160m. On a joint trip with SOB in 2004 I and another member of the Gloucester SS got to the lowest point reached so far.

Expedition Finances

Travel

Travel plans:
3 of the team will drive a hired van from the UK to Montenegro, taking the bulk of the necessary equipment. The other 3 will fly to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and be picked up en route.


# from UK: 6 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from UK: £2,410 Van hire for 3 weeks: ~£1000
Fuel, ferries, and insurance: ~£900
Air fares London-Dubrovnik: ~£170 x 3

# from outside UK: 0 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from outside UK: £0

Travel total: £2,410 Travel p.p. from UK: £402
Travel p.p. from outside UK: £0

Subsistence

Total: £1,190 Comments:
Subsistence p.p.: £74 £100/person/week ?

Gear

Total: £0 Comments:
Gear p.p.: £0
Exped Total: £3,600 Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: £476
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: £74
Mean Exped cost per person: £225

Other Funding

Total: £0 Comments:
Total shortfall: £0 Mean shortfall per person: £0

Referees and Report

Please give the names, addresses and phone numbers of two suitably qualified people whom the Committee can contact. You should ensure that they are aware of the objectives of your trip, and that you have their permission for the Committee to contact them.

Referee 1: Maurice Febry
Affiliation:

Reason:

Permission obtained?: No
Referee 2: John Newton
Affiliation:

Reason:

Permission obtained?: No

Expedition report author:

Attachments

No files have been attached to this application.