Caving discovery in the Cavottes cave (Doubs)

Description

Let's explore together the beautiful Cavottes cave, also named Montrond cave and located near Besançon in the Doubs department. Discovered more than a century ago, this cave is a must-see and the perfect place to discover caving, by beginners and experienced explorers alike.

This cave has a fascinating history of exploration: as early as the 19^th century, the cave's first galleries were known, as far back as the "salle du Chaos". In 1916, the Duret brothers and their team crossed a narrow passage, revealing almost a kilometer of new galleries. In 1952, speleologists continued the exploration, discovering new sections of the lower network.

Today, the total length of the cave is 3,589 meters, at a depth of -128 meters. At the bottom, a 12-metre shaft leads to the "terminal lake", whose level varies according to rainfall. Dives have been made down to more than twenty meters, without finding any obvious continuation.

After passing through the wide funnel-shaped entrance, the route offers a wide variety of progression: a few roped passages (including 2 abseils from heights of less than 8 metres), a zip line, easy climbing, wide galleries and "Egyptian" passages.  You will quickly discover the Chaos room, then follow the "Duret diaclase" into a vast corridor ending in scree.  An abseil leads to the Fournier room, before visiting the Dunes room and the large ex-terminal room.

Not very difficult, this caving trip in the Cavottes cave is suitable for a wide audience. Allow around 5 hours for the whole activity.

For more athletic groups (6 people maximum), this cave also offers an introduction to rope access (vertical caving techniques).

Equipment to bring:

• Closed-toe, notched, flexible shoes (high-toe if possible).
• Soft sports trousers or running-type tights.
• A light micro-fleece jumper.
• Something to tie back long hair.
• A change of clothes and shoes in the car.

If you fancy other underground adventures in the Doubs departement, I also offer:

• vertical caving in Ordons chasm near Montrond-le-Chateau,
• water caving in Vau cave in Vuillafans,
• and an introduction to caving in the "faux monnayeurs" cave in Mouthier-Haute-Pierre.

Program

• Meet in Montrond-le-Château, about 30 minutes' drive south of Besançon.
• Suit up and get dressed with the appropriate equipment.
• Walk to the cave entrance and start of the exploration.
• Picnic in the cave. For each participant: a flask/bottle of water (maximum 1 litre) and a light snack (no crisps please). These will be packed in canisters provided.
• Walk back to the parking lot.
• In all, approximately 5 hours of activity.

The price includes

• Supervision by the caving instructor.
• Caving wetsuit (please state your height and weight when registering).
• Helmet and LED lighting.
• Harness, with lanyards, pulley and delay device if necessary.
• Collective equipment (ropes, karabiners, anchors, backpacks, water bottles, first-aid kit, etc.).

The price does not include

• Return transport to Montrond-le-Château.
• Picnic lunch.
• Snacks.
• Drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

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