Region: Himalaya - China & Tibet

Ms Hilary Greaves (with Richard Gerrish, Gavin Lowe and Paul Swire). August-October 2002

Until 2001, there had been little interest in the caves of North Yunnan, but that year a reconnaissance expedition indicated an overall depth potential exceeding 4000m - hence this return trip. Operating at heights up to 4935m, there were several areas of particular interest - the south of Nu Tiang Valley (near Liuku), the limestone peaks 20km W of Zhongdian and the hills between Lugu Hu and the Yangtse. The final phase concentrated on the Zhongdian area where the height difference between a resurgence cave and a high altitude draughting cave was c.2200m: the team returned home with plenty of scope for future exploration in the Province. Click to view report of follow-on in 2003