Ardèche · about 9 km from Ruoms
Grotte des Estinettes
- Max depth51 m
- CertificationFull cave
- Water temperature≈ 12–13 °Cestimated, no reports yet
- SpecialSidemount
Diving and fills
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The dive
S2 descends at about 45° over gravel. At -25 m there is a squeeze, then a small passage to -33 and back up to -27.
Profile and sections
S2 descends at about 45° over gravel. At -25 m there is a squeeze, then a small passage to -33 and back up to -27. Next come 20 m of narrow, chaotic passage, a 3 m drop and a slope to the squeeze at -51 m, beyond which it continues.
The cave is probably fed only by the area around Aubenas aerodrome. Explored in 1936 (Rabany); S1 was first passed in 1963 and -51 m was reached in 1995 (G. Lorente).
- Depth and profile
- S1 25 m / -3 (dries out at very low water) · small shaft + 200 m low wet passage (1 x 1.5 m) · S2 120 m / -43, then on to a squeeze at -51 m (1995) · development 575 m, range +12/-51
- Configuration
- Small sidemount only: low passage between S1 and S2 and squeezes in S2 at -25 and -51 m. Backmount not suitable (estimate).
- DPV: Not DPV-suitable (estimate)
- Short S1, low passage and tight S2: no scooter.
Who can dive where
- At least Full cave
- Configurations: Sidemount / CCR / Small cylinders / no-mount (speleo sumps)
- Goes down to 51 m (trimix or deco may be needed)
- Experienced divers only
This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.
How to get there
From Aubenas via the D579 to Lanas (right bank of the Ardèche); track along the river to Domainzeau farm, then a 300 m footpath to the portal. Short passage (60 m) to S1.
Around Grotte des Estinettes
FillsNo fill station known nearby
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