Aven des Tendelles

After a succession of tricky scrambles and narrow passages between blocks and wall, one reaches -25 at the top of a large sloping, decorated chamber. It is possible to descend to -125 m without a rope. The rest of the cave is of lesser interest on a standard visit.

The large chamber contains fine stalagmitic columns, somewhat like at Goussoune, but in smaller quantity. The delicate access has preserved them.

The descent is dangerous because the numerous passages have made the holds hazardous, as have the rare fixed equipment. The use of dyneemas and at least 5 ropes of 10 to 20 m is strongly recommended to reach the chamber. The dyneemas will be attached to holes between blocks for want of anything better. It would be highly desirable to complete the equipment with drilled anchors or others. Care should be taken to go around the formations to reach the bottom of the chamber at -67 m. Access is dangerous without ropes.

Geology: Upper then Lower Bathonian (towards -100 m).

Source: Descriptive sheets published by the CDS 12 for the FFS 2013 Congress in Millau > « Aven des Tendelles »: http://www.millau2013.ffspeleo.fr/pdf/Tendelles.pdf or http://cds12.org/topos/AvenDesTendelles.pdf.