Aven de Ruph

The aven has a pretty entrance with rectangular dimensions of 3.5 m x 2 m, set on a fault trending NW-SE. The dimensions, modest up to that point, become more generous. a scree slope fills the main chamber (8 m x 6 m). At the top of the scree slope, a small passage about ten metres long begins, ending in an impenetrable fissure, with a 6-metre-high free-climbing chimney.

It occupies a classic position on the flank of a combe and corresponds to a perte du ruisseau (stream swallow hole) of the stream that carved it (there is a flow of the old stream of the combe de Ruph that meandered).

Start on Un (a) tree. a 3-metre descent leads to the first rebelay located on the opposite wall. From the spit, one descends against the wall to a ledge at -15 m where a short opposition leads to the second rebelay (again on the opposite wall). This last 12-metre pitch is done in free hang. At the bottom of the scree slope, an unobstructed passage between blocks allows one to reach the -35 m level.

The aven de Ruph is perfectly fossil. Its exploration is short and pleasant and the shaft is well equipped. Above all it is of interest as being the only aven in Un (a) large sector of the plateau de Méjannes (like the aven de l'Abeurador between the canyons de l'Aiguillon and du Merderis). In this sector, the presence of a limestone with a chalky facies that is relatively little fissured may explain the absence of underground networks.