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he following message has been received from Colonel John Blashford-Snell
in Bolivia towards the end of the epic 2 month long expedition,
Kota Mama 5.
Mission accomplished! After 10 weeks the 50 strong Kota Mama
V expedition’s flotilla has emerged from the little known
gorges of the Rio Grande at the small frontier of Abapo. The
new specially designed Eurocraft Inflatable boats sponsored
by JP.Knight Ltd in conjunction with the Mariner Outboard motors
provided by EP Barrus Ltd, enabled the team to cover 400kms
of this formidable river. During the voyage over 400 rapids
and cataracts were negotiated without casualties. The boats
sustained only minor damage during this first scientific exploration
of the great challenging waterway. Much archaeological, biological
and geological research has been carried out with the cooperation
and support of the Bolivian Geological Institute Sergiomin,
the Hydrographic Department of the Bolivian Navy and the Bolivian
Army.
The archaeological discoveries have been especially important
and details will be announced later. The support of the Patino
Foundation enabled a lot of dental and medical aid to be given
to remote communities. An incubator and surgical equipment were
provided for the hospital of the areas’ major town Vallegrande
and the first computers provided for their school. Thanks to
a British Charity "Just a Drop", the towns’
water supply has been refurbished, ending years of water rationing.
Throughout, the flotilla of four boats was guided by a recce
canoe crewed by former Royal Marine Malcolm Cavan and Lt.Col
Hugo Cornejo of the Bolivian Army. The flotilla was re-supplied
throughout by a support group under the leadership of British
explorer Simon Hampel. Using 4WD vehicles, horses, mules, donkeys,
and their feet, they covered many hundred kms of difficult terrain
and also plotted numerous archaeological sites in the mountains.
Organised by The Scientific Exploration Society the expedition
largely consisted of British and Bolivian personnel but also
included members from Australia, Colombia and South Africa.
"This expedition has been of immense value to Bolivia"
said Mauricio Ordonez of the Ministry of Tourism". It has
given us a great opportunity to study the geology of a little
known area of our country said Oscar Almendras of Sergeomin.
"It has not been a picnic" said Col JBS "and
to achieve the scientific results under such conditions has
not been easy. The performance of the Eurocraft boats have been
most impressive".
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