Application for Grant Aid

Submitted on: 01 Aug 2019


Expedition details (GPF2019b-001)

Expedition Name (& Club): Mulu Caves 2020 (Mulu Caves Project)
Destination country: Malaysia
Region: Gunung Mulu NP
Lat: 3.8643 Long: 115.3564 Elevation: 1500 m
MEF funding: Applying for MEF funding

Leader: Mr. Tim Allen
Total cavers: 14
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 0
Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 4
UK/nonUK cavers: 14/0
Eligible for grant aid: 14
Alex Pitcher nominations: 0
Expedition dates: 26th Dec 2019 - 19th Jan 2020
Duration (days): 25
Man-days in field: 308 Man-days travelling: 42
Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

This expeditions focus is on Gunung Benerat, continuing exploration of leads from previous expeditions. Numerous leads in the Benerat Caverns system (50.6km) and Terikan system (32.5km) and the possibility of connecting the two together. Review and improve Benerat survex database as resources permit.
How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

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

Exploration, survey, photography and improving the survey database.
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.

Southern Benerat - leads in Moon Cave from 2007. Sakai's cave leads from 1984. Southern Cobweb from 2003. Investigate surface features for new caves/entrances.
Northern Benerat - Leads in Blue Moonlight Bay from 1980/2003. Leads in Northern Cobweb from 2000/2003.
Investigate surface features for new caves/entrances.
Investigate the large blank area between the Benerat Caverns System and the Terikan System for a possible connection.
Make improvements to the survex database as resources permit
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.

There have been 28 expeditions to Mulu since 1978 and over 400km of cave passage data is stored in the survex database. Each expedition has produced a summary and a full report and general information is available on the project website www.mulucaves.org

Expedition Finances

Travel

Travel plans:
Fly UK to Miri and Miri to Gunung Mulu NP HQ. Long boats and porterage to base camp at Camp 5. The reverse on return.


# from UK: 14 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from UK: £13,860 Flights from either Manchester or Heathrow to Mulu NP via Kuala Lumpur and Miri and long boat transportation up river.
NB: International flights slightly more expensive during the holiday period but this does allow participants in full time employment to use use statutory holiday and gives them the leave to go on the expedition.

# from outside UK: 0 Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK):
Total costs from outside UK: £0 No personnel are leaving from outside the UK.

Travel total: £13,860 Travel p.p. from UK: £990
Travel p.p. from outside UK: £0

Subsistence

Total: £6,720 Comments:
Subsistence p.p.: £480 Includes all food and food transportation costs and camp manager wages.

Gear

Total: £1,680 Comments:
Gear p.p.: £120 Most equipment is available through the Mulu Caves Project store. Some survey, first aid and rigging equipment is required and this cost also includes the porterage of equipment from HQ to Camp 5

Special 1

Total: £2,380 Comments:
Special 1 p.p.: £170 Insurance costs through the BCA scheme
Exped Total: £24,640 Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: £1,760
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: £0
Mean Exped cost per person: £1,760

Other Funding

Total: £300 Comments:
Mulu Caves Project will cover report printing costs
Total shortfall: £24,340 Mean shortfall per person: £1,738

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. Dick Willis
Affiliation: Mulu Caves Project

Reason: Mulu Caves Project trustee

Permission obtained?: Yes
Referee 2: Mr. High St Lawrence
Affiliation: Mulu Caves Project

Reason: Mulu Caves Project trustee

Permission obtained?: Yes

Expedition report author: Tim Allen

Attachments

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