List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
The Shan Plateau in Myanmar has over 400km of limestone. Our recent expeditions to the area near Ywangan have shown its great potential, with the longest (5km) and deepest (300m) caves in Myanmar. Here our aim is search for deeper caves along the edge of the escarpment, including locations that have 1,000-1,400m of depth potential. In this expedition we wish to both visit new areas and extend known caves. We will (i) map a cave near Pindaya that has been entered for 500m, and left ongoing, by a German colleague; (ii) visit a major resurgence north of Pindaya near Lawksawk, (iii) look at major sinks above the escarpment east of Pindaya, and (iv) continue exploration west of Ywangan where we found the 300m deep Ju's Gu last year. That cave was left at three undescended 50-30m pitches due to bad air. Local villages report a cave 'big enough to fit an aeroplane' nearby and we hope it could bypass the bad air, as Ju's Gu has a remarkably strong draft at the top of its main 125m pitch.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
Caving and travelling in these areas is only allowed with a formal guide and driver, and thus costs tend to be high. Ghar Parau funding will make a real difference, especially for those less well off in the party, and allow them to take part in this year's trip.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.
Objectives: The overall objective is to search for the longest and deepest caves in Myanmar, including in karstic areas with over 1 km of depth potential. This year we will combine visits to new caving areas near Pindaya and Lawksawk, with continued exploration for deep caves at the edge of the plateau to the west of Ywangan. These areas are within a days drive in Southern Shan State. They are chosen because we know we can obtain permission to cave in these parts of Myanmar, from past experience.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.
We have visited the Ywangan area in three previous expeditions (see those reports to Ghar Parau and to Mount Everest Foundation). They have resulted in three descent articles, and an extended report from our last 2015-16 expedition has just been published as an extended article (with surveys) in the Journal of Red Rose Pothole and Cave Club 2009-2016 (volume 11).Travel plans: |
# from UK: | 5 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
Total costs from UK: | £6,700 | International Flight UK-Yangon £750 Flight Yangon-Heho £150 Vehicle plus driver and guide (mandatory for permit) £110/day for whole 7 person team for 20 days = £2,200 |
# from outside UK: | 2 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
Total costs from outside UK: | £1,800 | Flight US - Yangon £850 Flight Yangon-Heho £150 [vehicle plus driver and guide - included above] |
Travel total: | £8,500 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £1,340 |
Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £900 |
Total: | £4,200 | Comments: |
Subsistence p.p.: | £600 | Accommodation and subsistence £30 for 7 person for 20 days = 3,600. This includes cheapest hostel where foreigners allowed to stay in Ywangon and Pindaya/Lawksawk - as we must stay at registered locations for our permit. |
Total: | £450 | Comments: |
Gear p.p.: | £64 | We have 480m of rope, and drills plus rigging gear in Myanmar. Here we seek a contribution to a meter (£450) for detecting high CO2 levels and hence bed air. |
Exped Total: | £13,150 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £2,004 |
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £1,564 | ||
Mean Exped cost per person: | £1,878 |
Total: | £0 | Comments: |
Previously we have received Mount Everest Foundation support - but no other support this year. |
Total shortfall: | £13,150 | Mean shortfall per person: | £1,878 |
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.
Reason: Highly experienced expedition caver.
Reason: Highly experienced expedition caver.