Application for Grant Aid
Submitted on: 31 Jan 2010Expedition details (GPF2010a-011)
Region: Toledo
MEF funding: none
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
Eligible for grant aid:
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition duration (days): 19
Field days: 238 Travel days: 0
List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
Seeking new caves in the remote southern Toledo district of Belize Primarily the continued exploration and surveying of Pueblo Creek cave, discovered by us in 2006 and extended in 2008 and seeking a connection to Machacon Connection cave, found by a different trekking group in 2004Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
This is a really exciting expedition with great potential, the dense jungle and harsh climate makes all exploration challenging and rewarding. Our main objective of extending Pueblo Creek cave has massive potential, with good evidence of the connection through the mountains given by debris from a village washed trough the caves after the hurricane in 2001. Belize is not a cheap country to operate in, being close to America, so used to charging high rates for tourists visiting for short periods, we have negotiated deals but life is not cheap, beer costs about the same as in the UK!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.
Continued exploration, surveying and photographing of PC cave, pushing the open passage at the downstream end. Also travelling to the southern side of the mountain range and exploring major resurgence cave located by trekking groups in 2004. Also entering other major sites of Lagunita and Dead Parrot Pot, on a different watercourse both major caves but needing more manpower to get equipment for exploration into the jungle. Continuing exploring as many other sites identified by local hunters/ guides as we can to find new areas to develop.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.
Many of the team have been to this area before some up to 6 times. We have also managed to get some good information from Trekforce who located some caves, in the new area we are planning on exploring. We have also developed good contacts with teams of Archaeologists who find and explore cave entrances but rarely venture deep and have no interest in active caves.Expedition Finances
Travel
Travel plans: |
| # from UK: | 12 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from UK: | £9,440 | Flights £680 * 12 = £8160 Bus Fares £4*10 = £80 flight £100 * 12 = £1200 |
| # from outside UK: | 2 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from outside UK: | £200 | flight £100 * 2 = £200 |
| Travel total: | £9,640 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £787 |
| Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £100 |
Subsistence
| Total: | £2,534 | Comments: |
| Subsistence p.p.: | £181 | Accomodation £630 Food 14x17x £8 = £1904 |
Gear
| Total: | £30 | Comments: |
| Gear p.p.: | £2 | Medical supplies £30 Equipment; members will be responsible for their own personal kit, hammocks, tarps, jungle boots and tropical caving suits , as well as their own vaccinations etc. |
Special 1
| Total: | £2,240 | Comments: |
| Special 1 p.p.: | £160 | Insurance 12x£110 = £1320 4x4 Hire for 3 weeks = £400 Guiding £520 |
Special 2
| Total: | £1,120 | Comments: |
| Special 2 p.p.: | £80 | Report production £400 Freight £720 |
| Exped Total: | £15,564 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £1,210 |
| Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £523 | ||
| Mean Exped cost per person: | £1,112 |
Other Funding
| Total: | £0 | Comments: |
| We've applied for SCW assistance, and to various gear manufacturers to help individuals kit costs |
| 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.
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