Jiang Kou expedition 1996 page 4: Communications


	1996 Yangtze Gorges Expedition Communications Jiang Kou Area
	By August 7th we had used up nearly all our equipment; it was essential we try and contact Andy Eavis and inform him that the freight was still stuck in Hong Kong. He was due to lead another team to the Xin Long area. Without equipment they would do virtually nothing. We also needed more ropes and bolts if we were to fully explore the deep caves we were finding.
	Left to right back row: Jack and Laurie Sheldon, Eoghan Lynch, Anne Gallagher, front row, Zhu Xuewen, Brian Judd and Zhang Ren.	The only way to have some chance of communicating with the UK was to go to Wulong, about 20 kilometres by road from Jiang Kou. Eoghan Lynch, Anne Gallagher, Jack and Laurie Sheldon, had previously spent two days exploring Furong Dong. They now gallantly volunteered to undertake the communications task and maybe try to explore the hills near Wulong for caves.
Bridge over the Wu Jiang at Wulong	Changing plans like this was not easy. Transport, accommodation, food and permission needed to be obtained. The authorities had to be informed, local guides and officials had to be found to accompany the group. Working with Professor Zhu, the team managed to overcome the sticky glue of bureaucracy holding them back. They successfully contacted Andy and managed to go to the hills above Wulong. The word 'maybe' came to be something of a catch phrase on the expedition. Although it was rarely possible to be absolutely positive about anything, more often than not things worked out in the end with patience and perseverance.
	China is of course a very regulated society. We were helped because the county officials were trying to develop tourism. Furong Dong Show cave is a major attraction and has had over a million Chinese visitors. It was hoped that publicity from our expeditions would encourage more foreigners to come as well.