Vercors Week: Day 5 – Canyon de Furon 1 & Grotte de Bournillon

Canyon de Furon I

Connor, Scott, Steve, Tom

Furon had been on our list when discussing last night as an alternative to the initial choice of the Ecouges, as some of the others wanted a rest day but also wanted to Ecouge. We did our research and again with it being just 8 minutes from the house, it won out as the option for a lazy lunchtime start. We timed it just right, with the morning guided groups just exiting, and the afternoon groups starting as we finished.

We were blown away that the parking spot had not only a large topo printed on a sign with notes, but also a toilet! We slapped our gear on in the scorching sun and headed quickly down to the shade of the forest at the start of the canyon. We rigged the first 11m drop for most of us, with Connor choosing to jump it. Down another short drop then we were into a long (15 minute) wander among boulders with little action. We still managed to find a few splashes and tunnels along the way though.

Next the obstacles started appearing as the walls of the gorge closed in and we entered the ‘Furon Express’ – a quick fire series of fun slides and jumps, with some abs in the mix. We had a great do and highly rated it! The final 8-9m drop was abseiled by all except Scott and Connor who decided to brave a jump, and lived to tell the tale. An ‘X’ scratched into the canyon wall and the start of a staple route out signalled the end all too soon, and we began the sweaty 40 minute slog back up to the car park, just in time for Scott and Connor to critique an instructor from the safety of the bridge above.

Grotte de Bournillon hike

I was due to begin my trip home in the evening, and I didn’t want to take wet kit home, so a gentle stroll seemed in order.  We found the turn-off to the hydro-electric plant on the way to the massive amphitheatre of Bournillion.  We were going to park near the plant, but there was a notice saying ROUTE BARRÉ so we parked on the road, only to notice that it went on to say … A 1KM.  Never mind, it was a pleasant downhill walk to the river, then a sweaty uphill hike towards the cave entrance.  As we got closer, the tiny ribbons of water falling down the cliff face were revealed to be a sizeable river emerging from a 350m vertical drop.  The cave entrance was suitably impressive, and the twittering of bats was noticeable, though they were too high up to see properly.  Not being properly equipped, we didn’t really go into the cave, but enjoyed our lunch in the shade of the entrance before heading back and stopping for a welcome ice-cream at the Charanches show cave.

Jason, John, Miranda, Yolanda