Doubs October 6, 2006
Posted by chris in : Uncategorized , add a commentWell at last some diving to write about!! We spent the weekend in France diving in caves. I managed a few pics with the camera but overall the quality was crap so bear with me. I need to buy a new camera and the budget for that is limited right now. Anyway you will get the idea I hope.
The drive down was tiresome as we were near to the Swiss border. About 4 hours. At least Kelly had the afternoon off. We stayed in the Campanile (a cheap but acceptable French chain) and found a nice Chinese restaurant nearby. The town, called Pontarlier, was quite nice and worth a look round and handy for the short drive in the morning to Mouthe where our first dive was to be the source of the river Doubs.
The entrance to the cave was via some nasty rocks covered with green slime and in heavily running water. the previous night’s thunderstorms had raised the water level and the river was a challenge even without the heavy twinsets and equipment. Its also a popular tourist site so an audience was guaranteed.
The rocks threatened to break people’s legs if great care was not taken.
However, we were given plenty of time to sort out our kit and Kelly and I were the second team so we had plenty of chance to watch the more experienced people.
Its a short distance from the car park and the trolley made it fairly easy to get the kit there. Parking is free and there is a public loo and a café although it had closed for the season. The area is also a Ski resort and ski school so there were some ski-lifts to poke around while we were waiting.
The previous night’s rain had stopped although the forecast was bad and the day remained grey and miserable. We got our first dive about mid morning and set off with the instructor, Pat. He showed us where the lines were and off we went. The first passage is large and easy (just as well) the crystal clear water makes it a pleasant dive and after about a couple of minutes you arrive at an air pocket.
Puffing and panting from swimming against the current its a welcome chance to get your breathing under control and to let a little of the stress subside. Its also the point at which the next part of the dive starts. Beyond this is a descent to 50m with a big gallery at the bottom.
Due to the rain we were unable to get past this point - the current was just too much. But that was fine for the “baptism”. We swam back and forward along the passage three times getting used to following the line and being in a new and weird environment. The white limestone of the passage reflects the light and makes the thing seem much better.
The maximum depth was 7.9m and I estimate the passage was about 20m long, although it seems much more the first time you do it with the sound of your heart pounding in your ears.
Lunch was chaotic (as it always is with the Belgians) and Kelly and I elected to do the second dive while everyone else was titting about then eat after the dive. My little camera is only rated to 15m so this was the ideal chance to take a few pics. The flash is built-in and the pics were burnt out.. However I managed a few images. Here’s Kelly on her way out.
Sorry about the helmet all you DIR fans - this is Yurrup!!
The next day was another morning dive in Source de Doubs to give everyone a chance to pass the sump and descend the pitch. As I kitted up I managed to rip my cuff seal, mainly as I was rather tired from a poor night’s sleep. The morning was blown for me and Kelly went off to make the dive on her own with Pat. I hid out of the rain with a spare cuff seal, some Evo-Stik and a face on.
Kelly passed the sump following Pat down. We trainees were limited to 30m but Pat pressed on down to the bottom sorting out the line for the more advanced people. At 30m Kelly turned and headed back. Alone and under thousands of tonnes of rock, in the dark… No mean feat for someone that doesn’t like dark places. She emerged elated and about 3cm taller!
At times like this the moment of greatest joy is when you see daylight again….
Its a better sight than me
Or even Kelly:
The afternoon’s dive was canned due to the bad weather and we retired to the Irish pub in Mouthe. A couple of Murphys and all was well with the world. I can’t wait for the smoking ban in France though….
Monday and the last day. The best left til last. We headed off to Doye de Gabet. This cave was in the middle of a river and yes the rain had been running. The current was strong and the cave exit could easily spit you out into the river and down the rapids and into a ravine. I doubt that this would have been a survivable event.
The entrance is to the left of Pat (seated) and the middle point of the water just above Chris’ (the Belgian one not me) head was very fast moving indeed. Pat is sat on a rock and the pic doesn’t really convey the true force of the water. When Chris was washed up the rocks on exiting it needed all his strength and Thierry - a big strong bloke also - to stop Chris getting into bother.
After a good chat the two guys set off. I decided to sit this one out - wimp. The hauling of heavy gear up and down to the site was just too much for an old git like me. besides the vis was rubbish.
It was disappointing not to do this last dive and complete the weekend (or the course) but sometimes in diving you have to go with what feels right. We are underground underwater again in November, this time in the Lot. At least that will finish the course and hopefully the weather will be better for that event.
