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My arrival to France was furious. I arrived on Friday evening, managed to eat my beloved kebab and go to my most favourite pub in Grenoble. Fortunately we were kicked off half past one so I didn't struggle to much in the morning...and I could be at 7am on the parking in Sassenage.

The trip organizer is Cecile, the only SGCAF member on the trip. It’s so nice to meet her and all my friends after such a long time. I’m the only person having pretty clean coverall. I wonder why… Our trip is the very famous Cuves de Sassenage. The cave is famous so much that I never really bothered to go inside there. Except of one occasion, when we tested Radio Nicola system but that time we didn’t get too far. I have never been keen on going there despite the fact that this is the place where all the history of Gouffre Berger begun. This time our plan is to get to a half way to the end. We have to be outside at some reasonable time since our annual dinner is on the same evening as the one in Dales. It’s cracking day, sun is shining on mountains surrounding Grenoble, just a perfect day for climbing…and I’m going underground! Am I a fool?

We quickly pass the touristic part and the following part which is often taken by novices and kids. We join the streamway and the spirit of the cave changes every moment. Small cascades, small pitches, rumbling water…just a paradise. You have to rarely bend your knees. Everything is amplified by a few acetylene lams on our trip. I just love this light, it’s so peaceful. After the famous Puits Lavigne we take a lunch break. Classical French one, proper meal, cheese and a dessert. No coffee or wine this time  After a squeezy squeeze we are getting a bit more wet. We are surrounded by very nice formations, meanders and cave shapes. Suddenly the cave changes to a humid environment, for about 200 meters and suddenly we emerge in a completely dry and dusty chamber which is called Salle du Therometre (Thermometer Chamber). There is indeed a thermometer to monitor the temperature…but it doesn’t work any more. We go a few meters further to see the famous Marmites, we take a few pictures and it’s time to turn.
I’m enjoying the way back. Our group spread over a long distance so I can stop from time to time and watch the cave in details, listen to the rumbling water…and take some photos with the orange light. Just a perfect day as a pre-heater for the evening.

Trip time: 7:30
Ales H, SGCAF (Grenoble), CAF Lille, CAF Chambery

Good report Ales, many thanks. It is interesting you mention the Marmites because looking at the survey for Saturdays trip down Brown Hill, there is a section of passage called Marmite following Puits Ian Plant. A comparison between the two Marmites would be interesting

Carbide lamps were all the rage for the serious caver when I started caving, but the FX series were taking over.

I miss the nice little metal Malham generators they had, a malham down the top was heaven when you were cold.

Sounds like you had another good trip Ales, did the tourist trip in 2006 after we had done the Berger

Cheers guys! Keith, Stuart told me about this story already, French couldn't believe that you walked somewhere above their heads

Great report Ales, I love reading your stuff makes me roll! Pictures are brill too can't wait for saturdays trip and marmite passage sounds like heaven to a marmite addict

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