Gouffre du Mounegou

At -30 m, one arrives in a larger volume plunging along the dip. The gallery widens and descends rapidly through dark blocks to the junction with the active stream at -93 m. High at the start at 7 to 8 metres, the gallery deepens and becomes a large meander leading to the top of the P 30 at -125 m. At the bottom of this shaft begins an imposing meander 30 metres high and 3 to 6 metres wide. The great chamber is a major widening of the gallery: first 30 metres wide and as high, it continues for 60 metres in length but the width narrows to 10 metres at the back.

Numerous light-coloured formations adorn the landscape of the great chamber.

This active stream, insignificant at low water but formidable in flood or during snowmelt, is followed upstream for about fifty metres towards the north. The slope eases and the stream then flows over a beach of sand and gravel at a depth of -282 m.

From the entrance to the active stream (-93 m): the entrance lies in a chaos of blocks and the route follows tortuous passages linking small collapsed chambers. Some steps are avoided through narrow squeezes. The direct route arrives at a suspended boulder choke that is better avoided by taking a bedding-plane separation on the right (small piece of rope in place - R 3). The gallery is regained beneath this mass of blocks. One quickly arrives at several successive steps (P 14).

From the active stream to the great chamber (-230): downstream, one progresses towards the south-east in a spacious gallery interspersed with steps (R 4, R 8 + R 4). This shaft can be descended directly by a handline and an anchor in the ceiling under a stratum left in relief, or by a 10-metre traverse equipped with a handline that crosses the top of the shaft and joins an inclined descent line on the right bank (mandatory route in flood). Fairly flat at first, the meander then cuts down and progression continues eastwards through blocks and by steps that are all climbed free but are better equipped for the descent and for safety (imperative if the stream is flowing well). A final 8-metre step is climbed down behind a blade and gives access to the great chamber. This step, as well as the one preceding it, can be avoided by an equipped descent on the left bank that leads to the top of the chamber.

From the great chamber to the sump (-314 m): the slope is steep and cluttered with blocks that must be bypassed.