Gouffre du saut de la Pucelle

[hannahb]

Has anyone done a trip down the Pucelle?

If yes, please could you shed any light on the tackle requirements?

The description in Spéléoguide du Lot lists many short ropes but rumour has it that it can be done with less than what is listed.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Pitlamp]

Yes - it's a decent trip. From memory, best avoided if the weather is iffy.

PM me to remind me and I can maybe point you at someone with better info than I can remember. (Remind me of your email address when you do.)

 

[Leclused]

Rigging : Saut de la Pucelle

perhaps you can compare the above with the description in Spéléoguide.

 

[badger]

I can confirm not in iffy weather. Judging by the size of the tree trunks found after the entrance series

 

[Pitlamp]

A British caver who knows the Pucelle better than me sent me the following information in an email:

"Pucelle has 10 pitches
largest 8 m. Do the trip in a wet suit and go straight down the stream
way. Fantastic trip. Best way is with 8 ladders because you can free
climb a couple of pitches ( can't remember which ones) 3-4 slings to
hang on the deep pools so you can get out of them on the way back up
stream. a few belays, bolt and hangers.
If you take rope you spend hours faffing about rather that just enjoying
the place."

 

[hannahb]

Successful trip, thanks for all the tips. We used a handful of slings and two of the many ropes we carried. Almost all of it was rigged apart from one proper pitch, and another rope was frayed so we rigged that one too. A very satisfying journey.

 

[TheBitterEnd]

Rigging : Saut de la Pucelle

perhaps you can compare the above with the description in Spéléoguide.

The google trans;ate of that page is cracking, some highlights

• two carabiners with blisters (optional)
• 0 to 2 socks
• 3 skating skates

 

[Emsy]

A British caver who knows the Pucelle better than me sent me the following information in an email:

"Pucelle has 10 pitches
largest 8 m. Do the trip in a wet suit and go straight down the stream
way. Fantastic trip. Best way is with 8 ladders because you can free
climb a couple of pitches ( can't remember which ones) 3-4 slings to
hang on the deep pools so you can get out of them on the way back up
stream. a few belays, bolt and hangers.
If you take rope you spend hours faffing about rather that just enjoying
the place."

Was this Mr Foyle by any chance? I was previously going to comment that it's a right adventure, to do this trip with a ton of ladders threaded up your arms, whilst attempting to traverse deep pools
Proper Mendip style & great fun!

On my 2nd visit the sump was dry & there was a fair bit of large muddy passage to explore. I've never seen so many abandoned wellies in one cave.

 

[hannahb]

I'm very glad we did not take ladders

 

[jonnybellman]

Yes - it's a decent trip. From memory, best avoided if the weather is iffy.

PM me to remind me and I can maybe point you at someone with better info than I can remember. (Remind me of your email address when you do.)

Funnily enough, last week we attempted to enter Pucelle. Annoyingly it had rained the night before, and still continued during the day we tried. The water was entering the cave in a steady stream, and perhaps 50m in, the roof lowers. Judging the water to be rising, and witness marks on the wall showing that the water would eventually hit the roof, we took the decision to turn. As a side note, we instead took a trip 5mins down the road to Gouffre du Reveillion, this had an enormous entrance. A handline let us take a look in the waterflowing passage so far, but again eventually seemed a bit treacherous. Was worth the look!