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DIR Cave Diving The roots of DIR are firmly in cave, and the hearts of most who have experienced the dark side of diving remain here.
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June 2nd, 2006, 05:39 PM
| #1 (permalink) |
| DIRX Supporter  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK
Posts: 693
  | French cave diving Hi All, What cave's in France are suitable for Cave-1 level dives i.e. shallower than 30m, backmount and reasonable vis? When we were over in Mexico Chris said there were 7-ish that were suitable but he didn't name them. Cheers Al |
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June 2nd, 2006, 06:00 PM
| #3 (permalink) |
| Doing It Caverkevin  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Kackilackie
Posts: 361
| There is the classical Ressel, Cabouy, St. George and a few more in the Lot. Goul de la Tannerie is a great shallow cave. Then you have Port Miou plus another cave in Cassis. Then there is the Mescla in Nice. Easy dive but only a 150meters of tunnel before you go deeper than 30m. Also rough to get the gear to the water. Best to check www.plongeesout.com under site plongee. There is a map of France broken down by department. Then the sites in that area. The popular sites have good stories and maps. The one thing I have found out about French caves, they are not easy dives. Mostly dew to the access to the enterance. The caves in the LOT are about the best all the way around. Access, gas fills etc..... There are really good caves everywhere  Cheers!! Kevin |
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June 2nd, 2006, 06:38 PM
| #4 (permalink) |
| Moderator - "Don't stop me now!"  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK
Posts: 680
| Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) Hi All, AlWhat cave's in France are suitable for Cave-1 level dives..... All of them! Well nearly all of the caves in the Lot are suitable anyway. Get a copy of Andrew Wards book and take a look at.... Ressel Cabouy Poumeysson St George Landenhouse Trou Madame Truffe (except for the entrance restriction!) Le Cunhac There are a bunch of others but these are the most popular. There are loads of caves all over France. Another popular region is Jura and Doubs but if I were you I'd stick to the Lot as there is a "Cave diving infrastructure" there. Plenty of places to stay, you can get gas and the water is nice and warm (12deg year round). HTH some Bob |
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June 2nd, 2006, 08:06 PM
| #5 (permalink) |
| New Member  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK
Posts: 657
| Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) Get a copy of Andrew Wards book AlLooks like I'm about a day ahead of you on due diligence for this French caving diving lark  I've been trying to get a copy of Andrew Ward's book too. Avon Publishing who used to publish it are no longer in business but the owner of that, Tim Stratford, still does private print runs and sells them from his home. I got his number from Dragon Speleo in Wales (who used to sell the book, but've run out). I'll PM you the details. Joe |
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June 2nd, 2006, 10:57 PM
| #6 (permalink) |
| Doing It Caverkevin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Kackilackie
Posts: 361
| I saw a message on the france cave diving yahoo group that www.cdclot.com was going to have the book in the online store. Did not see it when I looked. Could be worth another look. Post the URL if you see it. Kevin |
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June 2nd, 2006, 10:59 PM
| #7 (permalink) |
| GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 1,100
 | Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) Hi All, Why don't you go down there in august and I'll show you a bunch of them What cave's in France are suitable for Cave-1 level dives i.e. shallower than 30m, backmount and reasonable vis? When we were over in Mexico Chris said there were 7-ish that were suitable but he didn't name them. Cheers Al  (I seem to be spending about 3 weeks down in the lot in August, so if anyone wants a Cave1 level dive please let me know) J
__________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment ** NEW - Online Santi Shop ** |
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June 3rd, 2006, 12:27 AM
| #8 (permalink) |
| DIveR  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium
Posts: 275
| Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Why don't you go down there in august and I'll show you a bunch of them now that's an offer you can't refuse (I seem to be spending about 3 weeks down in the lot in August, so if anyone wants a Cave1 level dive please let me know) J  The Lot seems to be the best place to start out and do cave1 level dives. The caves there are among the easiest and nicest to do, and there are a bunch close to each other. try to get andrew wards book about the area... it's very nice. truffe however I wouldn't consider cave1... especially during low water because of the zero viz restriction at the entrance... At least it was off limits during our cave1 class. But then again, most IANTD intro to cave classes tend to do their last dive there  Ardeche appears to be mostly deep, and doubs & jura is ***** cold. haute marne is all side-mount although around/south of Dijon there are some nice backmount caves. |
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June 3rd, 2006, 01:27 AM
| #9 (permalink) |
| DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK
Posts: 693
| Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Why don't you go down there in august and I'll show you a bunch of them Oooo tempting but I've got a weeks diving in the diary already blocked out in August so more could be tricky. (I seem to be spending about 3 weeks down in the lot in August, so if anyone wants a Cave1 level dive please let me know) J  Thanks for all the replies and appreciate the details Joe - I'll order a copy of Andrew's book. Cheers Al |
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