Application to the BCU Expeditions Committee for Approval and Grant Assistance

‘Team Tourist’ Expedition to Bolivia, March - April 2005.

Application to the BCU Expeditions Committee for Approval and Grant Assistance

NAME OF LEADERBCU Membership No.Date Of Birth

Chris Wheeler17810/F03/08/64

OTHERS ON THE EXPEDITIONBCU Membership Nos.

Kevin Francistbc

Marcus Holburntbc

Andrew Levick46315/B

Andrew McMahontbc

Mark Rainsley029410/F

Ferdinand SteinvorthCosta Rican national

Simon Wilestbc

DESTINATION

Country

BOLIVIA – ‘The Tibet of the Southern Hemisphere’!

Rivers/ Stretches

Various. We will begin by attempting second descents on a number of challenging 2-3 day steep creek runs which received their first descents in 2003 from a Kiwi group (depending upon water levels – choice from Rio Quita Calzon, Rio Camata, Rio Choro). We will then attempt to paddle and explore as many new rivers as possible in the same ‘Cordillera Real’ region of the Andes and – if time allows – in the Cochabamba region to the south. We have identified a number of exciting looking possibilities which we hope to investigate first hand – see below under ‘research done’. Although Bolivia has a wealth of medium/ large volume rivers worthy of closer study, our key interest is in discovering accessible new low volume steep creek runs, either single- or multi-day.

1st Descent?

As noted above, a mix of second descents and (hopefully!) first descents. Bolivia has some commercial rafting on the Rio Corioco and Rio Tuichi, but very few kayak groups have visited the area. Notable exceptions include the above-mentioned Kiwi group and an American group including Scott Lindgren (leader of the successful ‘Tsangpo’ Expedition) both of whom we have contacted for advice and information.

RESEARCH DONE.

We have searched for helpful information in trekking guidebooks, the internet and accounts from the previous trips.

Maps are our main source of topographical river data however; we have been poring over US military maps (1:500000 Tactical Pilotage Charts and 1:250000 Joint Operations Graphics). These have been used to identify rivers with high potential, and we have then in turn ordered the appropriate ‘Bolivia Instituto Geografico Militar’ 1:50000 map…not a quick process! In addition, we have already been able to discount a number of riversfrom our ‘hit list’, from visitor’s accounts and information on the local mining industry (pollution has sadly ruined a number of catchments). To a large extent, identifying suitable rivers is educated guesswork; only on the ground will we be able to fully ascertain the accessibility and suitability of a river for our purposes.

We have researched viable transport options (a major concern in a country with little infrastructure) and are in the process of hiring 4WDs and experienced local drivers.

Marcus has visited Bolivia previously on a non-paddling trip.

On the ground, we will attempt to correlate our research with local knowledge and conditions.We identified the need for a fluent Spanish speaker and Latin American expert early on; Costa Rican paddler Ferdinand Steinvorth was invited to join us for this reason; also as he’s a good friend and has wide experience of masochistic jungle boating.

ESTIMATED COST

c£1250 per person.

ROUGH BREAK DOWN OF COSTS

Airline tickets £850 each. We anticipate additional transport costs to be at least £200 a head. Other costs within Bolivia are not expected to be very high (cheapest country in South America) and we promise not to spend a single penny on beer.

PREVIOUS TRIPS DONE

Kevin Francis–The team’s youngest member(26ish) has kayaked inNorway,USA (California, Washington and Oregon) andCanada (British Columbia and Alberta). Kevin recently completed a five day descent of California’s arduous upper Cherry Creek.

Marcus Holburn - Based in the Thames valley and paddles throughout the UK. Over twenty years white water kayaking experience. Previous overseas trips include Nepal, Western USA (California, Washington and Oregon), Zimbabwe(Zambezi) and much of Western Europe.

Andrew Levick - has kayaked in the UK, European Alps, Nepal, Pyrenees, Turkey, Canada (British Columbia, Alberta,Ontario, Quebec), Norway, USA (Washington, Oregon, New England, West Virginia, Maryland) Costa Rica, and (briefly) Iceland.

Andrew McMahon–Is Scottish. He has kayaked in the UK, Norway, European Alps, USA (Washington and Oregon), Uganda(White Nile) and Costa Rica.

Mark Rainsley– Seventeen years of whitewater kayaking experience. Based in Dorset and has kayaked in the UK, European Alps, Ireland, Poland, India, Nepal, Norway, USA (New England, West Virginia, Maryland, California, Washington, Oregon), Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica, Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario), Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Uganda (White Nile) and Devon. He has completed first descents of two equally arduous rivers – the Zara Chu (India) and the De Lank (Cornwall).

Ferdinand Steinvorth – is Costa Rica’s leading creek boater and competed for his country in slalom at the Barcelona Olympics. He works as a professional raft guide and safety kayaker. He has run Costa Rica’s outrageous Rio Patria more times than any other paddler. He isn’t looking forward to the colder water of Bolivia’s rivers.

Chris Wheeler–The ‘Old Man of Hurley’ has kayaked throughout the European Alps; Ireland; Corsica; Norway; Uganda (White Nile); Zimbabwe (Zambezi); India; Nepal; New Zealand; USA (New England, West Virginia, Maryland, California, Washington and Oregon); Canada (British Columbia and Alberta); Ecuador; Chile; and Costa Rica. Chris took part in a 4 day first kayak descent of a 120 mile section of the SutlejRiver in India in 1995, and has been paddling whitewater for 24 years.

Simon Wiles–Twelve years of whitewater kayaking experience. A UK citizen currently based through work in Vermont USA. Simon has kayaked in the UK, European Alps, India, Nepal, Norway, USA (New England, West Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Carolinas, California, Washington, Oregon), Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica, Canada (Quebec, Ontario), Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Uganda (White Nile), and Zambia (Zambezi).

ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAKES THIS TRIP SPECIAL.

1] “Because it’s there”.

2] From our research, we have absolutely no doubt that Bolivia has huge potential as a high quality recreational whitewater paddling destination, potential which is largely and surprisingly unexplored and untapped at present. We intend to suffer so that others do not have to! In other words, we hope to do useful groundwork in identifying and exploring great creek runs. We will freely and widely publicise our experiences and river notes via the internet and magazines*. We will judge our trip’s long-term success by the number of paddlers who follow in our footsteps. If we are able to demonstrate that excellent paddling can be located and enjoyed within a two week holiday, then Bolivia could become the next ‘Costa Rica’ or ‘Ecuador’ in terms of popularity.

*Our media contacts are well established. A number of members of the group write and photograph regularly for all of the UK paddling magazines, whilst Mark edits the largest UK paddling website which sees 4-5000 different visitors every day).Mark and Chris helped co-write the BCU guidebook, 'English White Water'.

TWO REFEREES

(Who knows you as a paddler)

Dr Chris Sladden, Clearwater, British Columbia, Canada

(Who knows you as a person)

Richard Parkin (Paddles Magazine editor), 27 Benjamin Road, Poole, Dorset