Aven de l'Adrech

Cave-shaft recorded by the BRGM and named « Aven de l'Adrech », « Grotte-aven de Montabieu » or « Grotte-aven de Soumartre ». Altitude of the cavity: 368 m. Estimated development: 200 m, including a large chamber.

The Aven de l'Adrech has an entrance shaft 15 metres deep. It leads into a first chamber of small proportions (20 x 7 m), very steep and slippery. a very steeply inclined crawlway of glaize gives access to a vast chamber strewn with large blocks, remnants of a partial ceiling collapse. In the chamber, a climb in a fracture (on the left on entering) allows access to the upper level.

The first chamber has few speleothems; the vast chamber is richly decorated, as is the upper level accessible through the fracture.

The first chamber is dry.

The 15-metre entrance shaft is equipped with two consecutive ladders joined at a narrow suspended ledge protected by a guard rail of metal bars. a third ladder passage, in a very steeply inclined crawlway of glaize, gives access to the vast chamber. Caution when moving about, many traps on the ground.

WARNING: the ladders and the metal guard rail, still in place, are highly corroded and no longer offer any safety. Avoid any support on the completely unstable guard rail.

First ladder: 5 m, out of service, bars heavily corroded, stabilising anchors partially cut, a few corroded points are still anchored in the rock but unreliable. Second ladder: 10 m, out of service, bars and support plane highly corroded, stabilising anchors cut, elements only resting on unstable blocks. Third ladder: 8 m, changed a few years ago, in service but in poor condition, corroded bars, anchored in the rock. Plan for a rappel descent and an artificial ascent (croll, foot loop, substitute ladder) for the entrance shaft.