Region: Himalaya - Nepal

Dr Doug Benn with Steve Keene from UK, Jason Gulley from USA & Endre Gjermundsen from Norway (November-December 2005)

This unusual expedition was set up to study the role of high altitude ice caves in the evolution and drainage of ice lakes, and assess the feasibility of cave diving within them. Basing themselves on the Ngozumpa Glacier between Cho Oyu and Gokyo they succeeded in exploring and mapping five caves at altitudes between 4900m and 5300m (the longest of them extending to 905m), achieving the record for the world's highest surveyed cave in the process. They exhibited a wide variety of morphologies ranging from high narrow 'canyon-like; tunnels to wide low-roofed caves occasionally opening out into large chambers.