Expedition Name (& Club): Tian Xing 2011 (HMG)

Destination country: China
Region:

Lat: 29.2064 Long: 107.9410 Elevation: m
MEF funding: none

Leader: Imogen Furlong

Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

1) Continue exploration and survey of People Go Down Cave (PGD) as the main objective. Still has approx 500m depth to drop before likely connection to DongBa. 2) if connected - Push, explore and survey far end of Dongba 3) Continue to explore, survey bamboo cave if PGD sumps.

How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

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

The TianXing project appreciates the support the GPF have given it over the years. The emphasis this year is not only on continuing to build on the knowledge of this area, with collecting rock samples and surveying, but to do so safely. This is why we are looking to install some sort of comms systems and bolting that can work in the rock in PGD.

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.

PGD is a very active stream passage, with cascades. Exploration had been abandoned due to the lack of good rock available to drill into in the streamway. It is hoped to use 3/8 (10mm) rod – HILTI - HVA Glue anchours to provide a safe passage deeper into the cave. These however require a 36Volt -Hilti Drill TE6A or equivalent.

PGD is well placed to connect to the Dongba end of Keng Dang Dang. Here in 2010 a big inlet was observed high in the ceiling in the "big stuff" in Keng Dang Dang. Keng Dang Dang itself is a tight arduous rift passage which would not provide easy passage into Dongba. The inlet is about the right volume of water to be the PGD stream. Dropping in at this point would provide easy access to leads off both the big passage in Keng Dang Dang and Glycogen in Dongba. A comfortable camp could be set up in this area.

Main work planned a) Explore and map b)Photograph c)Collect rock samples d) Learn more about technical rigging in this kind of rock e) it is also hoped purchase and use/test the NicolaRadio3

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.

Tian Xing has been visited for several years and the system known as Qikeng/Dong Ba Dong now has 35km of passage mapped. It is the third longest in China and has potential to go much bigger. Several team members including myself have visited the area before. For some this will be their first trip to the area, and for others their first major deep cave exploration.