Application for Grant Aid

Submitted on: 31 Aug 2017


Expedition details (GPF2017b-005)

Expedition Name (& Club): Kyrgyzstan 17 (Wessex Cave Club / Craven Pothole Club)
Destination country: Kyrgyzstan
Region: Various karst areas across the country
Lat: 40.5140 Long: 72.8161 Elevation: up to 3800 m
MEF funding: none

Leader: Mr Malcolm Foyle
Total cavers: 4
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0
Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
UK/nonUK cavers: 4/0
Eligible for grant aid: 0
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition dates: 29th Sep 2017 - 7th Oct 2017
Duration (days): 9
Man-days in field: 28 Man-days travelling: 8
Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

A first reconnaissance trip to the country in order to facilitate future speleological expeditions. On this initial trip there will be four team members from the UK along with support from a member of the Kyrgyzstan caving community. We will be visiting three different karst areas in the south, the east and in the central area of the country. Following our visit we hope to be able to secure an area or areas for future exploration.We believe that this is the first visit to all, or most of our proposed areas by cavers from the UK. Our potential future expedition will be on a much larger scale than tis initial reconnaissance and will include younger members within the team to help foster an exploration ethos with young British cavers. Speleological research in Kyrgyzstan is in its infancy with little or no protection for caves. an overarching objective for our trip is to help raise awareness and draw the attention of government officials to the importance of cave protection.
How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

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

Speleology is relatively new in Kyrgyzstan. We believe that there are less then 10 local cavers in the country. The prime objective of this initial reconnaissance trip will be to locate areas for future exploration along with making good contacts with the local population and hopefully forge a potentially good on going working relationship. By working alongside the local cavers we hope to gain an area or areas for ongoing exploration for future years. It is we believe a good opportunity to enhance the reputation of British caving.
Some financial assistance from the GPF would be very welcome as the initial cost per person are quite high.
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.

On arrival to the country meet with our interpreter, stay in Bishkek overnight. Travel on to Osh the next day and stay overnight. Monday travel on to the Batken area and check out the Turkestan Ridge. We believe that there are three area of Karst to look at. See attached area map.

Following our reconnaissance the Turkestan Ridge we will go to the Fergana range in the region of Jala-Abad to look at an area of sink hole at an approximate altitude of 3800 meters. See attached map.

If we have time on the return trip we will also look at Alay range in Osh, Arvan, Galcha. When we are in the field we will be camping with our interpreter and driver/guide
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.

This is the first time any of us have visited Kyrgyzstan and we have no knowledge of any publications.

Expedition Finances

Travel

Travel plans:
Travel to Heathrow on Friday 29th September. Fly to Istanbul and then on to Bishkek. Land in Bishkek on Saturday 30th. Return to Heathrow on Saturday 7th October.


# from UK: 4 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from UK: £1,860 Flights, Travel to and from Airports and parking.

No visa's needed UK citizens are allowed 60 day visa free travel unless going within 50 km of the Chinese boarder when special governmental permission is required.

# from outside UK: 0 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from outside UK: £0 N/A

Travel total: £1,860 Travel p.p. from UK: £465
Travel p.p. from outside UK: £0

Subsistence

Total: £772 Comments:
Subsistence p.p.: £193 Food when in country @ £ 11.00 P/P per day
Accommodation £ 105.00 P/P

Gear

Total: £0 Comments:
Gear p.p.: £0 Nothing this time as only personal equipment will be used.

Special 1

Total: £680 Comments:
Special 1 p.p.: £170 Interpreter @ £ 85.00 per day.

Special 2

Total: £568 Comments:
Special 2 p.p.: £142 Transport including driver & fuel £ 71.00 per day
Exped Total: £3,880 Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: £970
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: £0
Mean Exped cost per person: £970

Other Funding

Total: £0 Comments:
None at this time
Total shortfall: £3,880 Mean shortfall per person: £970

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: Mr Phil Rowsell
Affiliation: Caving friend

Reason: Phil has vast experience in this sort of expedition. He has known us for a number of years and will be able to answer all queries the committee have about us.

Permission obtained?: Yes
Referee 2: Mr Clive Westlake
Affiliation: Caving friend

Reason: Clive has huge knowledge and experience of cave exploration. He has know us and caved with us both nationally and internationally for many years. He again will be able to answer any queries that the committee have.

Permission obtained?: Yes

Expedition report author: Kevin Gannon