Application for Grant Aid
Submitted on: 28 Feb 2017 (Withdrawn)Expedition details (GPF2017a-009)
Region: Napo County
MEF funding: none
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 1Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
Eligible for grant aid: 0
Alex Pitcher nominations: 1
Expedition duration (days): 23
Field days: 113 Travel days: 45
List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
To explore, record, survey and undertake basic scientific work and cave exploration within the above area which has not been explored by any previous caving expeditions.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
We are a team of nine UK-based cavers who will be undertaking speleological exploration, surveying and basic scientific work of an area previously not explored by cavers. Grant aid will significantly benefit the team, as we are a non-club based expedition, based mainly in the Midlands, with many of us known to each other through cave rescue work, and/or previous China Caves expeditions. We are advised that the area is predominantly vertical with tiankengs, and we do not have the benefit of a singular club from which to source equipment from.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.
Our objectives are as follows:To explore an area identified by the Institute of Karst Geology as being significant due to a number of recorded tienkengs
To record and survey our exploration of the underground features
To undertake basic scientific work in the caves
To work together with the Institute of Karst Geology to further our understanding of the area and to share caving techniques
To work together with the local government and provide advice where appropriate
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.
There have been no previous caving expeditions to this area, neither Chinese nor non-Chinese cavers. The only reported activity was Chinese hydrologists in the 1970's according to the Institute of Karst Geology in Guilin.A recent visit to the area by Chinese cameraman/caver Chen Lixin has seen numerous entrances recorded.
Expedition Finances
Travel
Travel plans: |
| # from UK: | 9 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from UK: | £7,759 | Flights from UK to Guilin = £700 Additional luggage allowance for rope between the group = £100 Chinese visas = £151 Guilin to Napo = included below in Subsistence |
| # from outside UK: | 0 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from outside UK: | £0 | N/a |
| Travel total: | £7,759 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £862 |
| Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £0 |
Subsistence
| Total: | £5,650 | Comments: |
| Subsistence p.p.: | £628 | Each team member will pay a set rate of $50 a day for road transport, food, accommodation, translators etc which is approx £40.50. |
Gear
| Total: | £945 | Comments: |
| Gear p.p.: | £105 | Rope = £520 Slings, maillons = £150 Throughbolts and drill bits = £200 Team first aid equipment = £25 Surveying books = £50 |
| Exped Total: | £14,354 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £1,594 |
| Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £0 | ||
| Mean Exped cost per person: | £1,594 |
Other Funding
| Total: | £0 | Comments: |
| Possible funding from an employee for boilersuits. |
| Total shortfall: | £14,354 | Mean shortfall per person: | £1,594 |
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.
Affiliation: N/a
Reason: Founder of China Caves Project.
Affiliation: N/a
Reason: Has previously led the China expeditions that team members have participated in and has given us his full support in continuing the project.