Application for Grant Aid

Submitted on: 31 Aug 2010


Expedition details (GPF2010b-005)

Expedition Name (& Club): Guangxi 2010
Destination country: China
Region:
Lat: 24.3203 Long: 106.9591 Elevation: 0 m
MEF funding: none

Leader: Ged Champion
Total cavers: 16
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0
Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
UK/nonUK cavers: 11/5
Eligible for grant aid:
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition dates: 23rd Sep 2010 - 17th Oct 2010
Duration (days): 25
Man-days in field: 320 Man-days travelling: 0
Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

Two days visit to Leye to descend shafts. The main objective of the expedition is to visit Fengshan county and attempt to connect to already long cave systems, Ma Wang and Jiangzhou. This would make a combined cave system of 60km+ and confirm it as the second longest cave in China. Please see attached map
How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

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

This expedition continues the excellent tradition of work that is undertaken by UK cavers in partnership with the Chinese scientists/cavers. Over the past number of years we have helped Chinese develop geoparks and increase the protection of caves as well as promote tourism in China. Also, scientific work undertaken by the group has discovered new cave-adapted species and helped local government with issues of pollution. Our publications and website provide full information about the project, www.chinacaves.org.uk. A map will be sent separately by post
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 survey work will be the largest part of the task but also collecting cave adapted species, water chemistry, photography and work that will look at the ongoing protection of Chinese caves. All of our research will be collated in China Caves Projects (CCP) publications which we try to publish annually.
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.

Ma Wang was visited by the CCP in the 1980s and more recently by expeditions I've led in 2003, 04 and 05. Jianzhou is a cave system that we developed in 2004 and 05. We therefore have a good knowledge of these systems.

Expedition Finances

Travel

Travel plans:
We fly to Hong Kong, then onto Guilin to collect tackle from Karst Institute and take a day's overland travel to Leye/Fengshan. These areas are reasonably close therefore time spent travelling is minimised. Local transport will include 4 wheel drive vehicles and mini buses.


# from UK: 11 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from UK: £10,230 11 x UK to China flights @ £800 each: £8,800
Local transport: £550
Visas @ £80 each: £880

# from outside UK: 5 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from outside UK: £4,650 5 x flights to China from non-UK airports @ £800 each: £4,000
Local transport: £250
Visas @ £80 each: £400

Travel total: £14,880 Travel p.p. from UK: £930
Travel p.p. from outside UK: £930

Subsistence

Total: £0 Comments:
Subsistence p.p.: £0 Accommodation provided by Chinese

Gear

Total: £3,000 Comments:
Gear p.p.: £188

Special 1

Total: £400 Comments:
Special 1 p.p.: £25 Interpreters
Exped Total: £18,280 Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: £1,143
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: £1,143
Mean Exped cost per person: £1,143

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: Andy Eavis
Affiliation:

Reason:

Permission obtained?: No
Referee 2: Dr Tony Waltham
Affiliation:

Reason:

Permission obtained?: No

Expedition report author:

Attachments

No files have been attached to this application.