Application for Grant Aid
Submitted on: 31 Aug 2010Expedition details (GPF2010b-002)
Region:
MEF funding: Applying for MEF funding
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
Eligible for grant aid:
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition duration (days): 43
Field days: 358 Travel days: 0
List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
Exploration beyond the current diving limit in sump 7 – a 55m deep sump which has been pushed for 150m. This sump is at the bottom of a 70m pitch with no dry land. Bolt climbing in accurex aven – an aven above the camp near sump 7.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
This expedition is part one of a two year project. The first year to tackle Pena Colorada and the second to explore from the San Augustin end of Huautla. Ambitious, bold and daring, this project represents the pinnacle of ‘sump’ diving . Sump 9 in San Augustin was considered by Bill Stone to be “the remotest point yet reached inside the earth” and right now this team has the skills and abilities to go further than anyone else in closing the gap between these two caves. We are committed to promoting and sharing the experience before we go and after we come back, online, in print and in person. We plan to use popular websites such as FaceBook and Youtube for engaging with the public and in turn promoting caving and cave diving.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.
Based from a surface camp in the remote Santo Domingo Canyon, over 5 weeks we will need to re-pass the 5 sumps, (totaling more than 400m of underwater passage) and set up two underground camps All equipment for camping and exploration will need to be transported through the 4.2km long cave and sumps by a team of cave divers. From the second (advanced) underground camp we will then put divers in to the terminal sump as well as bolt climb acurex aven. The terminal sump is at the bottom of a 70m shaft, where there is no dry land, making diving operations particularly difficult. Underwater the passage is known to be at least 50m deep. Due to the logistics of carrying enough cylinders to dive to this sort of depth rebreathers will be used here. Also to avoid the issue of nitrogen narcosis, trimix (a mix of Helium, Oxygen and Nitrogen) will need to be used. The dives in the terminal sump will require decompression and they may last for 3-4 hours in water time. Safety cylinders of specially mixed decompression gasses will be placed in the decompression zone to guard against rebreather failure. We expect to photograph and video the expedition activities as well as survey all explored passage – above and underwater.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.
Previous Exploration in Sistema Huautla: 1984 US Deep Caving Team exploration in Pena Colorada - led by Bill Stone 1994 Exploration in San Augustin - led by Bill Stone Previous visits to the area by members of this team: Mallinson part of 1997 Huautla Resurgance Team Mallinson part of 2001 Huautla resurgence Team Mallinson and Hudson part of 2003 Cheve TeamExpedition Finances
Travel
Travel plans: |
| # from UK: | 11 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from UK: | £7,000 | Flights are typically - £600 per person (x 11) local transport arrangements £400 |
| # from outside UK: | 0 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from outside UK: | £0 |
| Travel total: | £7,000 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £636 |
| Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £0 |
Subsistence
| Total: | £2,800 | Comments: |
| Subsistence p.p.: | £255 | subsitence and other personal costs in Mexico £200 (x11) Underground rations and underground camping kit approx £600 |
Gear
| Total: | £3,500 | Comments: |
| Gear p.p.: | £318 | Equipment budget for ropes, hangers, mallions etc… approx £1,500 Diving equipment including Hire or freight of compressor and cylinders approx £2000 |
Special 1
| Total: | £4,400 | Comments: |
| Special 1 p.p.: | £400 | Immunisation, Insurance and personal equipment approx. £400 (x11) |
| Exped Total: | £17,700 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £1,609 |
| Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £0 | ||
| Mean Exped cost per person: | £1,609 |
Other Funding
| Total: | £0 | Comments: |
| We will be applying to other bodies including the Lyon Equipment fund and Wilderness Fund as well as seeking commercial sponsorship deals. |
| 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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