Grottes et karsts de Chine
Sur les traces de Xu Xiake

At the point where the west and middle paths are closest together there is a 6m wide gully of loose rock and debris steeply descending on 240° Descend the gully for 40m to the point where you need a rope. A y-hang off two thrubolts followed by a deviation and then finally a rebelay, all on the LHS of the gully, reaches a large ledge and the cave entrance.

The cave is rift controled, appearing to run along 75°. Drippy entrance on ledge leads immediately to short section of 2m wide walking passage. On the left a very short crawl leads to a blind, 6m long chamber. Ahead in the walking passage there is a large thread just above head height, which serves as a convenient main belay for the first pitch. Descending 10m past 2 small ledges on a pleasant slope, the first pitch lands on a dry mud floor. To the west there is a small alcove with a nice roof which displays the dip well. To the north-west a dry rift-inlet enters up an unpushed climb. The the east the main passage continues, sloping down under a tiny rock bridge before ascending again. Here a number of drips enter from the ceiling approximately 20m above, which had solution pockets near the pitch but now appears flat. Past a large block there are more fist-sized angular shingles (which comprise most of the flooring of the cave) which slopes gently downwards until it meets a sheer wall with black space approximately 7m above. 5m back from the end, a small trickle enters from an inpenetrable hole at ankle height on the left. On the right there is a worn climb up to the black space. It will require a daring climber or a number of bolts to gain the continuation of the passage. The cave was drafting inwards throughout.

Several nasty looking spiders were seen.

EML 2003.12.02

EML 2004.04.09

DRJC 2004.04.09