List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.
The 2022 CUCC expedition to the Loser Plateau will continue to explore and extend the Schwarzmooskogel (SMK) system (figure 1, see attached figures) which is currently 131.8 km long and 1122 m deep. Also on the plateau is the Schoenberg-Hohlenen system (SH), Austria’s longest cave. Connecting the SMK and SH systems would form one of the world’s longest, deepest caves.Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.
The expedition is transitioning from a CUCC led expedition to a multi-student club expedition, with students attending from many different clubs (both student and non-student). Consequently, the expedition can not rely on funding from Cambridge University and our gear will be independent from CUCC’s.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.
Mentoring and Training: Training and inspiring students has always been at the centre of this expedition. This is even more important this year, with COVID-19 causing lost years for student clubs. The experience shortage has the potential to impact student clubs and the wider community for years to come. To address this the main focus of this expedition will be to train current students, from across the country, who will then share their experience within their respective clubs.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.
The CUCC expedition to Austria was established in 1976, and this represents the 43rd expedition made since then. The continual increase each year in the scope and achievements of the expeditions is testimony to this extraordinary area’s potential for the discovery of new caves.Travel plans:
Most of the people and equipment will be driven in personal cars and vans to and from the UK to the Loser Plateau (necessitating the cost of ferry-crossings or via the channel tunnel also). A few people will be travelling from elsewhere in Europe (Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Norway and Ireland) using their own or public transport. In-country transport will be via the aforementioned personal cars or vans. Please note that communal costs on the expedition are worked out on a per-person-per-day split rather than a per-person cost for the whole expedition, since the majority of people do not attend for the entire length of the expedition.
# from UK: | 25 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
Total costs from UK: | £6,200 | Per car: £420 fuel (estimated) £200 ferry (estimated) total/car = £620 Assuming 2.5 people per car means total travel cost of £6200 |
# from outside UK: | 3 | Travel costs breakdown (for personnel leaving from the UK): |
Total costs from outside UK: | £0 | As travel cost of expo-goers from outside the UK varies massively, this hasn't been considered in-scope for this submission. |
Travel total: | £6,200 | Travel p.p. from UK: | £248 |
Travel p.p. from outside UK: | £0 |
Total: | £9,000 | Comments: |
Subsistence p.p.: | £321 | This cost is dependent on the amount of time individual members spend on expo, and whether at top camp or basecamp (which is also variable according to weather and other factors). The very rough breakdown of this cost based on previous years is: Accommodation (camping and rental of huts at Gasthof Staud ´nwirt, the "base camp") - £4,000 Food - £4,000 Toll road and fuel at base camp - £500 Camping consumables - £400 Permissions and fees - £100 |
Total: | £6,810 | Comments: |
Subsistence p.p.: | £243 | Rope (2000m) - £3000 Through Bolts (300) - £750 Drill bits (10) - £10 Hangers (300) - £900 Maillons (300) - £1200 Carabiners (50) - £450 Tackle bags (10) - £500 |
Total: | £700 | Comments: |
Special 1 p.p.: | £25 | Camping supplies and Emergency response kits for a second top camp set up. |
Total: | £600 | Comments: |
Special 2 p.p.: | £21 | 2x Photography equipment (e.g. second hand tough camera) - £400 2x Tablet/phone for data capture - £200 |
Exped Total: | £23,310 | Exped cost p.p. travelling from UK: | £859 |
Exped cost p.p. travelling from outside UK: | £611 | ||
Mean Exped cost per person: | £832 |
Total: | £150 | Comments: |
Older members of the expedition subsides students. |
Total shortfall: | £23,160 | Mean shortfall per person: | £827 |
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.
Reason: Rebecca Lawson is a hugely active and well respected expedition-goer from the uk and has taken part in cave exploration expeditions across the world. A long history with CUCC has provided many years of familiarity with the Loser Plateau and SMK cave system
Reason: Wookey has made many innovations in cave surveying and is a highly noted and well-respected expedition caver with experience from across the world and over forty years of expeditionary caving adventures.