Glacière de Carri

The entrance itself is vast. A ledge allows reaching the P15 entrance, which forms a veritable porch and is entirely ice-covered in winter, offering a particularly striking scene.

The cavity developed in Urgonian limestones, along east-west oriented fractures parallel to the major Cime-du-Mas fault. The inclination of these fractures gives the scialet a general northward direction in plan.

The air current passing through the Glacière explains the persistence of a permanent snowfield at its entrance and reveals the existence of a higher opening, located toward the baraque de Crobache.

An underground flow from south to north, from Crobache to the col de Carri, is envisaged. Beyond that, the water's route remains uncertain: it could join the Cholet, according to the generally accepted hypothesis, or the Arbois spring.

One steps onto the snowfield where, at -17 m, a low passage joins a chimney. A skylight located 2 m high gives access to a P10, to be descended for only 8 m to reach a second opening. One must then climb back up the constriction (E4) to -19 m to reach a series of shafts: P5, then P15, P9, P5 and P11. This large characteristic chute, comfortably equipped and away from flood flows, constitutes good training ground for rebelays and pendulums. Three metres before the bottom, at elevation -61 m, one reaches the P33. A ledge in this shaft also allows reaching the réseau des Valentinois at -69 m.

The P33 is descended in continuity. At its base, at -95 m, one must leave a P11 and rig the ventilated P14 that leads to the old bottom of the pit. At -102 m, 3 m from the bottom of the shaft, pendulum across to a skylight opposite, which gives access to a constriction, followed by small cramped steps, including an R4, then a tiny chamber.

Progression then becomes narrower in the R8. The old block held by cables (des câbles), mentioned in old descriptions, has been destroyed by the Taupes du Glandasse: the obstacle and the risk associated with it have therefore disappeared. When the walls tighten sharply into a series of vertical constrictions along a joint, over about 15 m of elevation change, the rope becomes optional (possibly rig it for the return) and it may be necessary to remove some of the gear.

A final narrow passage, more or less difficult depending on body size, allows reaching a crawlway traversed by a trickle of water, then the platform of the P43 where one can finally stretch out.
The P43 divides in two at 25 m from its base, and can be copiously watered. If one stops 4 m from the bottom, it is possible to access the new network, but to do the bottom one must descend all the way down.

The foot of the shaft is more complex; one must follow the air current in a small cleared meander. A constriction, a P8 then a P4 lead to the bottom of the pit, at -201 m, where a crawlway remains, an unfinished digging attempt.