LP02a

The LP2a opens through A small circular shaft that is descended by climbing. A few metres further on, A new shaft requires equipment. The bottom continues through A very narrow fissure, and it is better to pass through A parallel shaft. After A slightly narrower passage, the shaft ends at the top of A spacious chamber occupied by an enormous snowfield… which is in fact A glacier.

The LP2b opens about ten metres away and 5 metres higher than the LP2a through A shaft one metre in diameter. After A narrower passage towards -5 m, the shaft widens to break through the ceiling of the snow-filled chamber. The walls, loosened by frost, are unstable and falling stones are difficult to avoid. It is ultimately better to rig the LP2a, which presents less risk of falling stones.

Let us return towards -40 m, at the base of the snow-filled chamber. A narrow crawlway two metres long gives access to A shaft 3 metres in diameter. The bottom communicates through A narrow fissure with the base of the glacier. Downstream, the fissure is choked five metres lower down. Halfway up the shaft, A window communicates with the shaft reached at -60 m.

Another window gives access to A narrow meander that continues through A shaft about ten metres long, defended by A constriction that will have to be widened. Finally, A last window that we did not reach seems to correspond to an ascending shaft.

Near the junction bridge, the descent continues on the snowfield. At the eastern end of the chamber, the descent of A small ice wall brings us into the heart of the glacier. The descent continues along an ice wall down to about -53 m. A crawlway in the snow allows one to reach the opposite wall and descend into A final chamber at the base of the glacier. We are at -60 m relative to the LP2b. A short gallery leads to the base of an ascending shaft. A few metres higher up, A passage between snow and wall draws A noticeable draught. A dig would be conceivable but difficult because of the snow and the cold.

The draught there is very slight. The blowing draught, perceptible in the crawlway, perhaps comes from this upstream section.