The Ghar Parau Foundation

A 100% voluntary-based charity providing grant-aid assistance for British caving expeditions to all corners of the world.

Photo: Sunbeams in Doline 1 Hang Son Doong, Vietnam. (Ryan Deboodt)

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The Ghar Parau Foundation is a 100% voluntary-based charity. Through the management of an investment fund, the GPF provides grant aid to British caving expeditions, in particular those that include an element of innovative exploration or scientific study.

Since 2007, the GPF has awarded £150,950 to 227 expeditions travelling to 48 different countries.

We are also particularly keen to encourage young cavers into expedition caving. Over the last 18 years, the GPF has additionally awarded 117 individual grants to cavers going on their first foreign expedition.

Photo: Alum Pot, Yorkshire Dales, UK (Mark Burkey)

Zarris studying cave Racer Snake (© Bartek Biela)

Mulu Caves 2024

Posted on By Henry Patton

The expedition split into 2 main groups 1 based at Camp 5, the other at HQ. At Camp 5 we photographed Defiance and the Velodrome, then continued exploration in Whiterock; the hoped for northern entrance was not found. HQ did science and a large amount of exploration but no major connections were found. A small hill near the airport gave Jarau Cave.

Report | Photo: Zarris studying cave Racer Snake (© Bartek Biela)

Mountaineering expedition cover

Mount Everest Foundation (MEF) tightens its criteria for expedition support

Posted on By Howard Jones

The MEF was established after the successful first ascent of Everest in 1953 and each year gives financial support to expeditions that apply and meet its criteria. Expeditions must take place in a mountain environment with an emphasis summarized by high, remote, exploratory, and quality of exploration. … Continue Reading >Mount Everest Foundation (MEF) tightens its criteria for expedition support

Chris Hayes in M10, an ice cave not yet connected to the main system, but directly above it. Pickaxe in hand, on the way to dig at draughting holes. (Photo used in Descent 300) (© Ben Richards)

Spring ’25 funded expeds

Posted on By Henry Patton

A total of £6000 was awarded across nine caving expeditions by the GPF Committee during the latest round of funding in March 2025. A further 12 Alex Pitcher awards of £100 each were also granted to young cavers going on their first expedition abroad.

The funded expeditions submitted this round will see cavers visiting Spain, Albania, Austria, Greece, and Slovenia.

Browse the archive map to find out more about the funded expeditions’ objectives

Photo: Photo: M10 ice cave, Slovenia. (© Ben Richards)

A wooden bridge leading away from the camera crosses a large river in the Darkhad depression. Behind the bridge a large flat plain extends into the distance where mountains can be seen.

Caving in Mongolian permafrost 2024

Posted on By Henry Patton

Several caves in the Khovsgol region (N Mongolia) were visited, and monitoring data and samples collected. Previously reported, but poorly documented caves in the Darkhad depression have been partly surveyed and sampled. A human skeleton has been (re)discovered and reported to authorities in Ulaanbataar. All objectives have been accomplished.

Report | Photo:  Darkhad depression, Mongolia (© Breitenbach/Breitenbach)

The huge (90 x 70 x 70 m) chamber of Triumph of the Matriarchy in Tragadero de la Soledad. (© Jules Carter)

2024 Granada Plateau Expedition in North Peru

Posted on By Henry Patton

This expedition returned to explore caves on the high altitude (> 3,250-3,550m) Pico del Oro Plateau in North Peru. It extended Tragadero de la Soledad to be the longest cave in Peru (4.2 km) and 325m deep, and found >150m deep ‘back door’ and ‘side door’ surface shafts close to Soledad’s farthest end. Other significant caves were also explored.

Report | Tragadero de la Soledad, Peru (© Jules Carter)

Relict phreatic passage in Tham Wang Mu (© Andy Goddard)

Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, 2024

Posted on By Henry Patton

Shepton Mallet Caving Club (SMCC) carried out a reconnaissance expedition to southern Thailand in 2024/5. Over 6 km of previously un-mapped cave passage was surveyed by the team and a large multi-level relict phreatic system, with an active river cave, was partly explored. Cave fauna observed included what is a likely unrecorded species of gecko.

Report | Photo: Tham Wang Mu, Thailand (© Andy Goddard)

fter camping one night at Camp 1, almost 700m down, Team 1 & 2 arrived at the new Camp 2 location. Team 1 then set up and stayed at Camp 2, while Team 2 returned to Camp 1 for a final night. (© Alexander Ried)

Dachstein Caving Expedition 2024

Posted on By Henry Patton

This year’s expedition had two main objectives in our main expedition cave of WUG Pot: to set up a deep Camp 2 in Exploration Fever, and to explore the newly-discovered Parallel Universe series in the entrance (which now provides an easier route). We also continued prospecting in the high Wildkarkogel region, searching for new high entrances.

Report | Photo: WUG Pot, Austria (© Alexander Ried)

A female caver wearing a yellow caving suit straddles the cave passage.

Matienzo 2024

Posted on By Henry Patton

The expedition is yearlong, with most activity occurring in Easter and August. The objective was to find, survey and document caves in the permit area allocated to us. We added over 7 km to the cave systems. We took steps to involve younger people who can gain skills in techniques and so support UK speleology. This year, 10 cavers under 30 years old attended.

Report | Photo: Cueva de Riaño, Spain (© Sam Davis)