Newsflash (23/6/2000). Rick Stanton and Jason Malinson have just reached the end of sump 5, which is 1300m long, 25m deep, and ends in a boulder breakdown. A small route through the breakdown may be possible.

Trip report(s) posted on the dir_uk list

From: John Grogan
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2000 12:08 PM
Subject: [dir_uk] France - Dive Reports

6 June - Emergence du Ressel
Buddies - Iain Robertson & Ian Pinkstone
Depth - 53m
Time 90 mins
Gas - 18/40, 50% and 100%
Penetration - 620m (2,034 ft)

Team consisting of IP in the lead, IR in the middle and JG in the rear - all
on scooters.  Visability was about 6-7m and the water temp was 13C.  We had
to keep a tight team due to the poor vis as it was difficult for the end
diver to see the lead diver.  All deco bottles were carried into the cave
and dumped at the bottom of a vertical tube (24m) where the deep and shallow
routes meet.  We first passed Richie Stevenson and his divers on the way
in - which was quite amusing as there was no team order - just a cluster of
solo divers with no technique.  Later we passed Andy and Loz - they were
exiting and Loz was towing Andy as his scooter had packed in.  Scootered
past the 600m marker along with staged bottles, deco habitat etc and turned
the dive on time.  On exit, about 450-500m in, IP's scooter jammed on, so we
turned it into the ceiling and tried to stop it to no avail.  Clipped the
scooter to the line and left it there with JG towing IP out.  Retrieved our
deco bottles and did all deco in the vertical tube before scootering out of
the cave.  Ralph Wilhelm (Reinhart's support diver) towed out IP's scooter
later in the day (after the batteries were run down).

7 June - Emergence du Ressel
Buddies - Iain Robertson & Lawrence Orchard
Depth - 53m
Time - 80 mins
Gas - 18/40, 50% and 100%
Penetration - 750m (2,440 ft)

Team consisting of IP in the lead, Loz in the middle and JG at the end.
Scooter dive to 750m which was uneventful where we turned on time.  The cave
is really beautiful and being at the end, it really gives you the
oppertunity to get a good look at it.  Visability and temperature were the
same as the day before.  Earlier in the day, Reinhart abandoned his push so
I towed out his deep long-body scooter and experimental rebreather from the
440 junction.  Passed Andy and IP on the exit (they were on the way in).
Did most of the deco in the solution tube as before but did the 9m stop
while scootering out and the 6m stop in the basin.