Travelogue Lot December 2011

Participants Cavebase: Marc Grosse, Andreas Voigt, Manuel Fiore, Tobi Ziegler, Oli Kurtz
Guests: Wilke Reints , Danny Beiert, Flo Hang

Actually December is a good time of the year for trips to the Lot. Therefore we had planned a trip again this year just before the Christmas holidays. The intention was once more to start a project, to survey and to map. Unfortunately, we were put in our place by the weather, as we have been many times before.

This was already noticeable when we arrived. Danny and Oli were the first to arrive, and were still lucky with the snow coming in. Manuel and Flo, as well as Tobi and Wilke were rather more shaken and arrived only at night at 3:00 and 5:00 o'clock in the Domain de Gayfie, which we had selected also this time, as already so often, as base camp.

We had the largest house on the site this time, and also took full advantage of the space.... ;-)

On the first day after arrival, we first wanted to sound out the situation. Was it possible to dive at all? Could we perhaps still implement at least part of the project planning? First we went to the Cabouy, and as expected the spring pond was so full that it dramatically overflowed the Seine at the lower end. But to be 100% sure that diving here is not possible, Oli and Danny still got ready again to take a look at the situation.

About 5 minutes after the descent was confirmed what we had already suspected, the visibility in the cave was less than one meter. Diving or even a project in the cave was therefore not possible. Unfortunately, it rained again and again during the next days, so that we could hardly expect the conditions to improve. In order not to have to write off the trip completely we gave ourselves to the known caves and simply made vacation. The Ressel shone with visibility of about 2m, in the Landenouse it was "even" about 4m.

Oli and Danny fought their way in the Ressel until just before the first deep T, but the flow was so strong that despite the use of scooters, the approach to the second T, where the 21m gas was suspended, took almost 30 min. Even descending the shaft and entering the deep part did not bring any noticeable improvement. After another 25min or so of travel, they had just reached the 800m mark. Unfortunately there was nothing to see from the cave itself. It was always just along the line, neither walls nor ceiling could be made out in this white milky broth, so the two decided to abort the dive. The way back, on the other hand, was very easy on the battery for the scooters, Danny and Oli simply let themselves drift out with the flow and thus achieved double to triple the speed compared to the dive in.The rest went as usual, gas changes and deco are standardized in the well-rehearsed team and were carried out safely and controlled even in bad conditions. 

At the same time Tobi and Wilke also fought their way through the Ressel. The current in the entrance area was borderline and their scooters just made it through the passage. The two had with their planned 1,400m extensive luggage (double 20 with rebreather, 4 stages and a spare scooter) which did not necessarily simplify the passing of the first meters.

But shortly before the shaft, the two were able to safely stow away most of their luggage and tackle the deeper part of the Ressel with only one bottom stage. Unfortunately, Tobi and Wilke also confirmed that the visibility in the back part did not improve, it varied between 2 and 3m. Both could just see the top of the ADV Scooter and had to concentrate quite intensively on the line. Actually, the two had hoped that the visibility would improve at the latest from the 3rd T - unfortunately, this also did not come true. Tobi and Wilke turned at the 3rd T and explored the smaller passages, the line situation here is not as clear as in the front part of the cave. Both had to be careful that the old ″Hasenmeyer wire″ did not paralyze the scooter. The ″snail″ was still quickly dived through and a few meters later the two agreed on the turning point. On the way back the current and visibility deteriorated further, the 6m deco could only be managed by ″festkrallen″ into the rock. But despite all odds, the two resurfaced after a little over 3hrs with a little grin on their faces....

Who knows the Landenouse and the strains at low water level, it is clear that we could not avoid diving in this beautiful cave despite the somewhat milky visibility, but with a full pool. Since you can't have enough help when preparing and putting on the equipment, and mutual support is very important to us, Flo and Manuel first helped Oli and Danny with the setup, watched them still descending and then assembled their own equipment. Danny and Oli surfaced after about 2 hours. Shortly after that Flo and Manuel dived down. When they started their 6 m stop in the pool after about 80 min. it was already dark outside, so they were all the more happy when they heard a knock against the aluminum ladder! Danny and Oli were still there, quickly helped to stow the equipment and then headed to our accommodation to prepare a fine evening meal. We let the evening end with a glass of wine in a sociable round. 

The highlight of the trip was actually the most unspectacular dive. Once again it turned out that less can be more, so Manuel, Flo, Danny and Oli went to the Tru Madame on the last day, and lo and behold, it works. The spring pond was just full enough to dive and the visibility was the best of the whole trip, partly up to 10m!!! For logistical reasons only two D12 backpacks were carried to the cave, but one stage for each diver. Danny and Oli made the beginning and enjoyed a 70min dive.

Hardly emerged, the backplates on the untouched back devices were exchanged, and the next team, Manuel and Flo made the stages ready. A few minutes later, the two could already dive off. This is where the DIR system really came into its own.

Tobi and Wilke felt not quite as motivated diving-wise and decided to explore a previously unknown cave. In August, the two had already paid a visit to this cave, but could not advance further because a small sump had to be dived through and both had no diving equipment with them at the time. But now their time had come. Armed with a 40cuft stage each, the two set off towards the unknown. The cave is located on a slope, in the middle of the forest and has been christened "Bondes". All in all, the cave is well known and not really something completely new. But for the two of them it was a bit exciting, because nobody knew what was behind the sump. 

After diving through, however, it was quickly clear to both of them that it was really only a 2m passage, which does not hold any dangers if you dive through it with equipment. Once inside the cave, the two of them took in the rock formations and the "dome area". Both are dry and can be climbed. After a few moments the fascination gave way to the question of a continuation of this cave - and indeed, Tobias climbed with his robust suit into a higher lying shaft and could spot another leashed pool. But the two decided to leave it at that for today and started the way back. In the evening, they discussed what they had experienced with the others from the Trou Madame and all fell happily into bed at some point.

Even if the trip more or less fell into the water, we still had fun. Just to get out of the daily grind for a few days and spend some time in nature with nice people compensated for the journey and the effort. When we started our journey home after 5 days it was clear that we could not realize our plan, but it was in no way wasted time. Cave diving depends on what nature has to offer, and if you make the best out of the given, you can have fun even if the conditions are not so good and look forward to the next tour.

In this sense,

Your Cavebase