On Wednesday Nov 3, the pump together with its discharge hose and electric cable were removed from the entrance series so that the bottom of the 3rd pit could be cleared of debris, sand, and rocks. Finally, the passage was again passable and a crew went down to assess the damages to the lower part of the Puits de Ronze. Luckily the CO2 levels were manageable for a short reconnaissance to the bottom of the cave. Ropes were in much better state there than in the upper cave. The tools and gear had gotten soaked, so they were taken out, washed, dried and tested. This work lasted all day Wednesday. Another team worked on ventilation. A specialist studied air currents in the cave, and his findings should help determine what would be most effective.
On Thursday Nov 4, there were two work phases.
One: the cave was reequipped with telephone wire to the bottom of the cave with various links possible. The large-diameter power cable now supplies a power box at the current workplace at the bottom. Drills and fans can work off it simultaneously, and the line can be extended should the passage become horizontal. By the end of the day, all the damaged tools and gear had been brought back to the surface. Some of it was destroyed and will need to be replaced.
Two: the plug of debris and sediment at -75 m was cleared. Now only the bottom lead is still filled with sediment 3 feet thick. That will need to be put in bags and a storage area will need to be built. This is imperative before being able to resume blasting. Again, air was found to be bad. The air hose that reaches halfway down the cave will need to be lengthened to reach the bottom lead. That hose will then enable either to suck the bad air from the blasting up out of the cave or to push outside air into the workstation.
Teams from all over France, organized through their caving clubs, are taking turns every day to help with this body recovery, taking time off from work without pay. What great solidarity!
There are pictures of the turbines, shredded rope, sediment in the bottom lead etc. on the Speleo Secours site:
http://www.speleo-secours-francais.com/ ... 182#photos-Yvonne