Grottes et karsts de Chine
Sur les traces de Xu Xiake

Luo Shui Dong- ‘Prospectors Pot’- 25.300751°, 105.533609°

Luo Shui Dong is an open pothole associated with a stream sinking close to the sandstone/limestone boundary. The entrance pitch was rigged from the eastern side, although local farmers demonstrated that it was possible to climb down further on the opposite side. The pitch descends 25m through vegetation before landing on a steep slope of loose boulders. A further descent of 10m down the slope requires use of a rope before a second vertical pitch is met. This pitch is 25m deep and canyon-like in nature. At the bottom the boulder strewn floor is clean washed and suggests a powerful stream runs in wet conditions. Around to the right a steep rift of jammed boulders leads to a vertical pitch (25m in total) landing in a 6x8m passage. This continues for 100m to a junction. Left soon terminates in a calcite slope, but right leads to a deep pitch which was not descended due to lack of time and equipment. Luo Shui Dong is located in an interesting position, whose further exploration may intersect more horizontal caves at valley level.