Application for Grant Aid
Submitted on: 06 Oct 2019Expedition details (GPF2019b-003)
Region: Chiang Rai & Mae Hong Son
MEF funding: none
Cavers ≤25 yrs old: 1Cavers 25-35 yrs old: 0
Eligible for grant aid: 4
Alex Pitcher nominations: 1
Expedition duration (days): 16
Field days: 72 Travel days: 24
List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
To assist Martin Ellis (SMCC) with the ongoing Thailand Caves database project that two members of the team have been involved with for several years. This expedition will focus on two areas, firstly, the newly formed, Tham Luang National Park, with the aim of undertaking a detailed survey of Tham Luang and the surrounding caves and secondly, to locate and survey new caves in the Mae Hong Son region of NW Thailand.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
We are a team of six UK-based cavers who will be undertaking speleological exploration and surveying. 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.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.
To continue the work of Martin Ellis to populate the Thailand Caves database with up to date and accurate information. The survey work around the Tham Luang area will also assist the National Park by providing a detailed survey of the main cave and the caves surrounding it. The area of Mae Hong Son has many unexplored leads that need to be explored and surveyed to add to the database.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.
Some of the caves have been explored before, with some surveys available. The current survey of Tham Luang is not very accurate. The National Park authority has requested a detailed survey for this now famous cave.Many of the entries on the database are of an entrance location only.
Key publication: The Caves of Thailand by Martin Ellis
Expedition Finances
Travel
Travel plans: |
| # from UK: | 6 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from UK: | £4,380 | Flights from UK to Chiang Mai = £550 Car hire = £100 Fuel in Thailand = £40 approx Fuel to airport and parking = £40 approx |
| # from outside UK: | 0 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
| Total costs from outside UK: | £0 | N/a |
| Travel total: | £4,380 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £730 |
| Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £0 |
Subsistence
| Total: | £2,100 | Comments: |
| Subsistence p.p.: | £350 | Hotel costs approx £15.00 per person per night. Meals approx £10.00 per person per day |
Gear
| Total: | £535 | Comments: |
| Gear p.p.: | £89 | Slings, maillons = £100 Throughbolts and drill bits = £100 Hangers = £50 Team first aid equipment = £25 Surveying books = £50 Tackle bags x 6 = £210 |
Special 1
| Total: | £600 | Comments: |
| Special 1 p.p.: | £100 | Insurance = £100 average per person (based on annual or per trip) |
| Exped Total: | £7,615 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £1,269 |
| Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £0 | ||
| Mean Exped cost per person: | £1,269 |
Other Funding
| Total: | £0 | Comments: |
| Total shortfall: | £7,615 | Mean shortfall per person: | £1,269 |
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: Knows some of the team & issues encountered with the originally scheduled China expedition
Affiliation: n/a
Reason: Previous expedition caver, who knows the majority of the team