Film Project

Xin Long Town

Gavin Newman hopes to film the connection of Di Feng (The Great Crack) to Zhao Zhai Tien Keng (The Great Doline). This is the fifth attempt to join the two caves. The previous attempts have been thwarted by lack of equipment, floods and cold water. Poisonous snakes, exhaustion, illness, logistical problems and sheer intimidation have also played a part.

The connection is an exciting and interesting challenge.

I was on the first China Caves Project expedition to Xin Long (pronounced Shin Long) in 1994. Since then I haven't been back other than for a quick recce with Andy Eavis in 1995 and a visit last year (2001) to gather weather data for this trip. The 1994 Downstream Doline exploration with Colin Boothroyd remains one of my best caving memories. I really want to be on the trip that makes the Upstream connection to Di Feng ('Dee Fong'). The 2002 trip has all the right equipment and a very strong team of cavers led by Andy Eavis.

Unfortunately I've made a fundamental mistake.

I know from the weather data that August is one of the wettest months of the year in this part of China. For some reason I find myself on a plane in August, on my way to explore a cave that I know is dangerously flood prone.

Di Feng, The Great Crack


Weather in this region is not quite that simple. Monthly rainfall can vary a lot each year. In 2001 it hardly rained at all in July, which is normally the wettest month.

In 1997, August was drier than September, when usually it is drier in September than August. The temperature is also a factor. An expedition in winter found it cold, wet and miserable. If I were to pick the best time to explore The Great Crack, it would be September or October, rather than August. It's obvious I haven't made my views plain enough to the planning meetings prior to this trip.

This expedition is also expensive compared to others I've been on recently. However, the thought of the excitement we may have and joining up with my friends again, swamps any doubts that I have. In any case it's too late to drop out now.	Tiananman Square, Beijing
	Just in case I have a back up plan, which is to continue exploration of Qi Keng Dong ('Chee Ken Dong'), a deep almost weather proof cave, that we had started to explore in May 2002, near Jiang Kou.	Click on survey to enlarge

2002 Index

A little Damp

Explore Cave and Dive - Entrance Page