1.
GV PAN. MEMBERS OF TEAM. PAN TO CAMP
0.15

2.
SV GROUP PREPARE EQUIPMENT
0.25

3.
SCU MEMBER DONS EQUIPMENT ONTO BACK, SETS OFF
0.34

4.
GV OTHER MEMBERS MOVE OFF TO SURFACE CAMP
0.40

5.
SV STORES CARRIED
0.45

6.
SV STORES LAID ON GROUND AT SURFACE CAMP
0.47

7.
CU OXYGEN BOTTLES
0.49

8.
SV POTHOLER UNPACKING STORES
0.53

9.
SV ANOTHER POTHOLER LIFTS STORES
0.58

10.
SV WALKS AWAY
1.04



Initials JT/S/AW-WH/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN THE FRENCH ALPS, A 12-MAN BRITISH TEAM ARE PREPARING TO PROBE THE DEPTHS OF THE WORLD'S DEEPEST CAVE. AND AT THE SAME TIME BREAK THE WORLD CAVE DEPTH RECORD OF 3,721 FEET (1134.15 METRES)
THE CAVE THEY PLAN TO CONQUER IS CALLED GOUFFRE BERGER, WHICH LOOSELY TRANSLATED MEANS "SHEPHERD'S PIT." THEY HOPE TO BEGIN THE DESCENT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THIS "EVEREST IN REVERSE" MEANS THE POTHOLERS WILL BE UNDERGROUND FOR 10 DAYS -- 10 DAYS OF DARKNESS, DURING WHICH THEIR ONLY CONTACT WITH THE WORLD ABOVE WILL BE A TELEPHONE LINK WITH THE SURFACE CAMP.

THEY WILL WORK TO A TIGHT SCHEDULE -- EIGHT HOURS FOR SLEEP AND RELAXATION, AND 16 HOURS CRAWLING, CLIMBING, SCRAMBLING DOWN DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE EARTH.

THEIR ROUTE IS ONE NEVER BEFORE ATTEMPTED AND EVEN NOW THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT AWAITS THEM. IT COULD BE A DEAD END; IT COULD BE THEIR PASSPORT TO A NEW WORLD RECORD.

THE BIG OBSTACLE WILL BE BY-PASSING THE LAKE IN WHICH THE EXISTING RECORD WAS SET.

(THIS RECORD IS NO WHERE NEAR THE DEEPEST MAN HAS DESCENDED. GOLDMINERS IN SOUTH AFRICA HAVE WORKED 11,246 FEET (3,428 METRES) UNDERGROUND, AND MANNED BATHYSCAPHES HAVE GONE DEEPER STILL UNDER THE SEA).