CKZone

I am a Canadian who will be visiting Paris from May 10th to May 13th, 2007. I will be traveling with a female friend. I was wondering if there would be any groups traveling into the Paris catacombs during that time and if it would be possible to join in with such a group?

My past caving / urban explorer experiences include -

I have explored the lava tubes in Washington state where the darkness can be so complete a flashlight is inadequate. The lava tubes are not nearly as extensive as the Paris catacombs though. (side-note: When Mt. St. Helens erupted about 1900 years ago the lava flows created 'natural' caves, called lava tubes. One of these caves is called the Ape Cave).

I have also done some cave exploring in Arizona at the Havasupai Indian Reserve. These caves were not very extensive. I have also done some exploring in the Rocky Mountains near Calgary (i.e. old mine shafts). The
mine shafts were fairly extensive.

I have also done some urban exploring. I have ventured into abandoned buildings (i.e. closed down factories), transit tunnels and storm drains.

I follow the "leave no trace" ethic; take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

Morthicia recommended I post my request here. Is it possible to get more information about equipment, conditions and requirements for the catacombs? Thank you. All help greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to reply in French. Thank you for any help, it is certainly appreciated. If someone is interested in guiding us please let me know. As I mentioned above I have traveled with a friend who was a caver through the mine shafts in the Rocky Mountains west of Calgary (Alberta, Canada).

If someone is willing to help us out what camping store can I hit in Paris to get all the necessary supplies for the catacombs? Thanks again.

Colin Heacock a écrit :If someone is willing to help us out what camping store can I hit in Paris to get all the necessary supplies for the catacombs? Thanks again.

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not the cheapest but much choice

Hey Colin,

For a list of basic equipment required to go down, you can check my webpage:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cataphiles.org/matos.htm">http://www.cataphiles.org/matos.htm</a><!-- m --> (in French)

sympa la description du matos

Recommanded equipment :
- old clothes (then environment is not very cold : around 13°C, but quite dirty)
- boots
- gloves
- A reliable headlamp/flashlight, with spare batteries
- a helmet or a cap (head protection)
- something to drink and eat, in case you spend a few hours underground
- a map (and if possible a reliable guide)


nice to have :
- candles
- chicks, alcohol and drugs you can exchange with local primitive people
- reliable camera, with a tripod and a cable release

Regards,

Matiphas

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.carrefour.fr/static/cfr/catalogue/0207_matin_equilibre/index.htm">http://www.carrefour.fr/static/cfr/cata ... /index.htm</a><!-- m -->
page 49 en bas à  droite

moize a écrit :http://www.carrefour.fr/static/cfr/catal.../index.htm
page 49 en bas à  droite

Et page 49 en haut a gauche de la page