Application for Grant Aid
Submitted on: 27 Aug 2017Expedition details (GPF2017b-004)
Region: Sierra Mazateca (Oaxaca)
MEF funding: none
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 1Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 6
Eligible for grant aid: 0
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition duration (days): 60
Field days: 230 Travel days: 60
List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
To mount full scale exploration attempt on sump 7, a sump not dived since 1984 and believed to connect into the main Sistema Huautla drainage. This will include two teams of 4 'push' divers each spending 1 week underground. The teams will us dual rebreathers, multiple scooters and an underwater habitat to provide the greatest chance of success in this historic attempt.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
Mounting an expedition of this scale and complexity presents many challenges, not least in financing a technical diving operation in a remote part of Mexico. The GPF's support is an essential component in the expedition budget and will assist the UK participants in joining this international team.This expedition is in the tradition of the previous Mexico trips which have previously received the generous support of GPF.
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.
1) Establish an advance camp in the cave entrance.2) Re-line, re-rig the route to sump 7
3) Transport exploration and camping equipment for a team of 4 ‘push’ divers to sump 7.
4) Establish camp 2 at the head of sump 7
5) Conduct exploration and surveying dives in sump 7
6) Complete a new centre line survey of the entire cave using modern electronic survey tools.
7) Record the expedition through videography and photography.
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.
1984 - Bill Stone USDCT1995 - Bill Stone USDCT ("1995 Rio Tuerto Expedition" published in AMCS Newsletter 22 1997)
2001 - Bill Stone USDCT + CDG ("2001 InnerSpace Odyssey Expedition" published in AMCS Newsletter 25 2002)
2013 - UK expedition. (AMCS Bulletin 25 2013)
2014 - PESH expedition (Bill Steele)
2015 - PESH expedition (Bill Steele)
2016 - PESH expedition (Bill Steele)
2016 - Huautla Resurgence Expedition. https://www.beyondthesump.org/16-huautla-resurgence/
2017 - Huautla Resurgence Expedition https://www.beyondthesump.org/17-huautla-resurgence/
Expedition Finances
Travel
Travel plans: |
| # from UK: | 7 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from UK: | £5,775 | Flights (£750pp) = £5,250 Hotels: (£25pp) = £175 Bus: (£50pp) = £350 |
| # from outside UK: | 8 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from outside UK: | £8,415 | US/Canadian Flights (£350pp x 5) = £2,800 Hotels: (£25pp x 5) = £125 Bus: (£50pp x 5) = £250 Australian flights (£1,200pp x 1) = £1,200 Fuel for 2 trucks from US to Mexico and back = £2,500 Tolls for 2 trucks from US to Mexico and back = £280 Vehicle permits = £400 Insurance = £560 Hotels and subsistence for drivers = £300 |
| Travel total: | £14,190 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £825 |
| Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £1,051 |
Subsistence
| Total: | £1,974 | Comments: |
| Subsistence p.p.: | £132 | Based on last year's expedition we know that it should cost: Accommodation cost: £312 Food, drink and other supplies: £1000 Local 'permit' costs: £117 Translator and Cook: £545 |
Gear
| Total: | £2,362 | Comments: |
| Gear p.p.: | £157 | Oxygen and Helium: £625 Dive Line 5km: £530 Bolts and metal work: £273 Rope: £625 Underground camping kit: £195 Running costs for compressor: £117 |
Special 1
| Total: | £468 | Comments: |
| Special 1 p.p.: | £31 | Vehicle repairs and maintenance (the roads in Mexico are harsh and in the last two years we've incurred serious costs keeping the truck running. £468 |
| Exped Total: | £18,994 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £1,145 |
| Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £1,371 | ||
| Mean Exped cost per person: | £1,266 |
Other Funding
| Total: | £2,000 | Comments: |
| Last year we received NSS funding of $500. We are hopeful of getting a larger amount this year. In addition to this the 2013 expedition was run to deliver a surplus to be used in future projects and money will be released from this account to support this expedition. |
| Total shortfall: | £16,994 | Mean shortfall per person: | £1,132 |
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: friend
Reason: John is a highly experienced cave diver and I believe he is well placed to assess the cave diving merits of the expedition.
Affiliation: friend
Reason: Tim was part of the 2013 expedition and can judge the abilities of the UK participants in achieving our objectives.