Summer Expedition to the Jura, France.
27th July – 10th August 2019
Lead contact: Gary Vaughan
Phone: 07836 727131 E-Mail: gary@dorsetland.co.uk
Gouffre de Montaigu
Length 1400m, VR -385m
GPS UTM 32T-0327280-5240430 820m
Alongside the Reseau du Verneau, this
is the deepest cave in the Franche-Comte. A series of big and impressive
pitches lead to a long, difficult meander.
From Valoreille, follow a small road towards the viewpoint of Maontaigu
and the Fontaine Vie farm. 500m before the farm look for a dirt track
on the left and follow for 1500m. The entrance doline lies in a ticket
on the right of the track, 500m beyond the ruins of the Fontaine Vie Dessus
farm. There is a hut 100m west of the entrance, which is used as a cavers
gite.
The entrance pitch of 35m is split by a rebelay into two drops of 23m and 12m. This lands in a large, bouldery passage, which leads for 30m to the head of the second, 55m deep pitch, which is found amongst unstable boulders. The impressive pitch lands on a ledge and is followed immediately by a vast and attractive 39m deep pitch, with a further 11m climb below that. Alternatively, the main passage can be followed over the 55m pitch to an alternative shaft, which is in excess of 90m deep. The shaft complex lands on the top of a huge unstable boulder pile. In high water, progress beyond this point becomes very difficult, if not impossible. In dry conditions and using extreme prudence, a route can be found down through the boulders for 40m to the head of a 13m pitch. Below a steep ramp, crosses a 6m deep climb to reach the start of a meander. This is 900m long and descends gradually for 85m, passing only one climb down of 6m after 300m. The meander becomes too low at a point 1400m from the entrance.
Rigging Guide
Pitch Rope
P35 50m
P55 70m
P39 50m
P11 15m
P13 20m
R6 10m
R6 10m
Updated 01.11.18
