Application for Grant Aid

Submitted on: 31 Aug 2011

Expedition details (GPF2011b-003)

Expedition Name (& Club): Castleguard 2012
Destination country: Canada
Region:
Lat: 52.1000 Long: -117.2500 Elevation: m
MEF funding: Applying for MEF funding

Leader: Martin Groves
Total cavers: 12
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0
Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
UK/nonUK cavers: 6/6
Eligible for grant aid: 0
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition dates: 29th Mar 2012 - 12th Apr 2012
Expedition duration (days): 15
Field days: 84 Travel days: 0
Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

Over two previous expeditions an 845m sump was passed, with a large dry passage continue beyond. Geologically it is anticipated (personal comm Derek Ford) that a dry extension large than the know cave (20km) should exist beyond. Our aim is to get two divers through the sump to explore the extensions.
How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

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

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.

Beyond simply exploring the extensions the team have a commitment to Parks Canada, who grant access, to produce a full Grade 5 survey of the extensions. We also need to provide more passage details to complement the centre line produced of the sump. We also aim to photograph the extensions and get some basic video footage of the dive.
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.

2008 Martin Groves recce trip to cave, helping to collect biological samples. 2009 Joint UK, Canadian team dive the sump to 500m beyond base. 2010 Joint UK, Canadian team pass sump after a 845m dive. Dry passages await exploration.

Expedition Finances

Travel

Travel plans:
The UK team aim to fly direct to Calgary. The team will meet up with the Canadian members. Overland transport will be part car hire and part sharing with locals. The team has made the decision not to look into the helicopter option to get on to the icefield, for several good reasons.

# from UK: 6 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from UK: £5,210 Flights 6x£700 = £4200;
Excess Baggage £210;
Car hire £800
# from outside UK: 0 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from outside UK: £0
Travel total: £5,210 Travel p.p. from UK: £868
Travel p.p. from outside UK: £0

Subsistence

Total: £1,254 Comments:
Subsistence p.p.: £209 Accomodation 25x6x5 = £750;
Field Rations = 7x12x6 = £504

Gear

Total: £1,000 Comments:
Gear p.p.: £167 Dive Gear £400;
Ski Hire 6x100 = £600;

Special 1

Total: £900 Comments:
Special 1 p.p.: £150 Insurance 6x150 = £900;

Special 2

Total: £864 Comments:
Special 2 p.p.: £144 Back country pass = 12x6x12 = £864;
Exped Total: £9,228 Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: £1,538
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: £0
Mean Exped cost per person: £769

Other Funding

Total: £2,000 Comments:
Welsh Sports Association
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: Phil Rowsell
Affiliation:

Reason:

Permission obtained?: No
Referee 2: Greg Horne
Affiliation:

Reason: Jasper National Park Warden

Permission obtained?: No

Expedition report author:

Attachments

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