expoweb/years/2007/grants/GPFapp.txt

http://gharparau.org.uk

5. Continuing exploration and survey of Schwarzmooskogel ridge caves, chiefly the <20>Subsoil<69> level and "Razordance" in Steinbr<62>ckenh<6E>hle, as well extending the promising discovery of Tunnockschact. We will study stress levels (cortisol) in cavers and the role of condensation in cave microclimates and speleogenesis.

6.This year, an interdisciplinary research project will be combined with CUCC's usual high standards of surveying, prospecting, and photography. A network of sensors and dataloggers for temperature, humidity, and airflow will be deployed and then used a) to investigate microclimate and map / quantify expected and observed condensation rates and b) to provide a control backdrop for the caver stress study.

Exploration in Steinbr<62>ckenh<6E>hle will include a concerted push on the "Razordance" streamway (currently at -542m) in hopes that it will break through the current level, potentially leading to deep (potentially below -1000m) system or sump. Major pushes will also be carried out in the "Gaffered to the walls" series. Last year's promising discovery of Tunnockschacht will be further explored. Surface prospecting will be continued.

8. CUCC has been exploring in the area since 1976: an expedition has been
held every year since then except in 1986. The ARGE Grabenstetten group
from Germany, with whom we have a good relationship, also work in the
same general area and have held many expeditions there.

10.
Wookey, wookey@aleph1.co.uk
Professor Paul Smith, Head of Earth Sciences, Birmingham University m.p.smith@bham.ac.uk

11. The expedition website, http://cucc.survex.com/expo, contains surveys, detailed descriptions, logbooks etc.

Dreybrodt et al (2005) <20>Condensation corrosion: a theoretical approach<63> Acta Carsologica, 34 (2): 317-348.

Stenner, E., E. Gianoli, et al. (2006). "Muscular damage and intravascular haemolysis during an 18 hour subterranean exploration in a cave of 700 m depth." Br J Sports Med 40(3): 235-8.

Nagler, R. M., O. Hershkovich, et al. (2002). "Saliva analysis in the clinical setting: revisiting an underused diagnostic tool." J Investig Med 50(3): 214-25.

12.

Members will be charged on a pro-rata basis for items such as food and campsite fees. Each member will therefore receive a differing expedition bill according to their individual situation; there is no fixed contribution to the expedition. The costs of fieldwork equipment purchased for the research projects and lab costs will be funded by grants and sponsorship with any remaining shortfall contributed by Aaron Curtis and Djuke Veldhuis.


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EXPENDITURE
Travel costs (communal pooled transport, see above) 2200
Purchase of safety-critical expedition gear (rope etc.) 1000
Replenishment of first aid kits 100
Repairs to and purchase of surveying equipment 100
Purchase of field research equipment 3000
Post-expedition labwork 1500
Insurance 700
Food 1500
Campsite fees 1500 
Contingency (10%) 1160
Approximate total expenditure 12760
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INCOME
Total contributions from members 8000
Grants, sponsorship and fundraising 4760
(Other organizations we have applied or plan to apply to include the Cambridge Expeditions Fund, the Royal Geographical Society, the Shell Personal Development Award, the Cambridge University Geography Department Bedford Travel Grant, and the David Richards Travel Fund.)

13.

Name             Age     Occupation             Number of past CUCC Austria expeditions

Richard Mundy	22	Student                0
Mark Shinwell	27	Programmer             8
Serena Povia    26	Student                0
David Loeffler  24	Student                5
Lucy Freem	20	Student                0
Ollie Stevens	20	none                   0
Rebecca Lawson	39      Lecturer               11
Julian Todd	38	Programmer             9
Adam Kessler	19	Student                0
John Billings	22	Student                1
Anthony Day		Geologist              12
Mark Dougherty          Professor              5
Peter  Harley	19	Student                1
Tom Handford	20      Student                1
Richard Mundy	22      Student                1
Djuke Veldhuis	24      Student                0
Aaron Curtis	20	Student                0
Phillip Underwood30     GP	               9
Andy Atkinson	37      Teacher                9
Sarah White     22      Student                1

14

Ollie Stevens 20

I am a 1st Year Student studying Engineering, and have been caving for a several months. I am keen to gain more experience in more exotic caves, but also through exploring/surveying begin to give something back to the caving community. I also feel this expedition would give me deeper insight into the organisation of major expeditions, such that in later years I can sustain our annual expedition for future cavers. As CUCC does not lend gear for Expo, any financial help I can get for the purchase of an SRT kit, undersuit, oversuit, etc would be gratefully received. 

Serena Povia 26

I'm an italian PhD student who started caving in october 2005. I had to suspend caving in Dec 2005 due to a non-caving related broken leg and a scholarship in USA. Now I'm back in U.K. and the first thing I did was go underground. In caving I appreciate the 'group' spirit and the total sense of dependence and trust that develops among party memebers. On a more individualistic side I love the thrilling feeling of challenge and adventure, I love the cold water that makes my feet numb, the mud on my Mars bar, the impressive rock that I have to climb and conquer. I will go on CUCC Expo in Austria and make myself useful as much as possible, although I will need to purchase gear which is difficult to afford on my own and therefore any assistance is greatly appreciated.

15

The 2007 Austria expedition incorporates many new elements. This year we have applied to the Cambridge Expeditions Committee to become officially endorsed by the University, and fully expect to gain that status. We also have applied for and expect to gain Royal Geographical Society approval and funding to assist with the purchase of fieldwork equipment.

The research aims of the expedition will provide the data for Aaron Curtis' undergraduate dissertation as well as an upcoming paper to be published by Djuke Veldhuis.

In addition to the main research aims, we intend to test a prototype of a new cave exploration aid: a remotely operated blimp for underground use. A camera, and light mounted on the blimp will allow scouting of avens and pitches to determine whether they are worth ascending or descending. This is being developed with advice from Rob Franklin, balloonist, caver, and cameraman whose work includes the BBC Titan video and Planet Earth: Caves.

While we will make every attempt possible to be economical in these projects, your financial assistance is invaluable to their success and that of the expedition overall.