THE BOSSI SPRING 2005
For
years the dream to return to the second sump and to the aerial parts of the
Bossi Spring tormented me.
I
would have had to face this exploration together with Jaques Brasey (Tom Pouce)
but unfortunately before uniting our strengths, destiny has separated our roads.
At
that time (1992-93) Jean Jacques didn't feel like crossing the sump, and limited
himself to explore the restriction in the deep part, while I went to the other
side of the sump with Jean Louis Camous and I even succeeded in putting fins in
the second sump: in that occasion I experimented a free climb of about twenty
meters height, in the shaft that overhangs the mirror of water inside the
mountain.
In
2004 I tried alone to continue in the second sump, there was almost nothing left
of the old line and after having passed about twenty meters of tunnel, similar
to 1993 I found myself franticly trying to pass a restriction, in the end
concluding not to have chosen the propper equipment. I thought that I had taken
a good lesson to remember for any future attempt.
In
2005 a meeting with Stefano, a friend that works at the Institute of Natural
Sciences of the Ticino district, resuscitates my interest for the Bossi Spring
which anyway was never out of my thoughts and together with the manager Dr.
Silvio Seno we find an agreement for a scientific exploration beyond the first
sump. In few years the evolution of the techniques and the materials have
notably reduced the risks and the run times, therefore the attempt this time is
decidedly much easier.
This
time Jean Jacques is prepared to pass the sump to secure me while I am climbing,
Roberto will come to film until beyond the sump, Lorenzo will take pictures
until past the restriction at -89 m, Stefano and Flavio will be the assistants
and a welcome guest will be the photographer Matthias.
The whole
exploration takes place from 2 to 5 of May, trusting in good weather.
Monday 2,
Roberto and I are late on the time schedule and surely we won't be the first
ones to arrive at the spring. We meet Lorenzo at the frontier of Chiasso, while
with Jean Jacques, Stefano and Flavio we will meet at the spring.
There we are in front of the spring at 11 in the morning, scolded immediately by
the punctual Ticinesi: we hurry to unload the car and get organized to prepare
our decompression and emergency bailout tanks and the progression tanks for the
ones who use open circuit.
We are in six of which Stefano
and Flavio are in open circuit, Jean Jacques with a passive semi-closed circuit
Recy01, Lorenzo with a CCR Buddy Inspiration, Roberto and I with a CCR Voyager.
Stefano and Flavio will bring one 10 l tank of EAN80 to -6 m and one from 7 l to
-12 m, as well as two tanks of 15 l, one 20 l tank, one 15 l tank and three 7 l
tanks to -21 m.
I will
take one 15 l tanks from -21 m to beyond the restriction at -89 m; and at the
return I meet Roberto at his first dive in the Bossi Spring; he takes notes
about the environment in the restriction. We ascend together and at -80 m we
meet Lorenzo who is taking pictures; Jean Jacques, descends alone down to look
at the passage at -89 m.
Tuesday 3, we
are in three and ready to go to the other side of the sump: Jean Jacques,
Roberto and myself. I carry two 4
l tanks for the dive in the second sump with me, Jean Jacques carries a sack
with two decompression tanks, a 4 l tank of EANx and a 2 l tank with O2, while
Roberto carries his videocamera that, looking at it critically, has all the
advantages except the one to be compact.
Lorenzo will take pictures of our way down in the first part of the tunnel until
-70 m, Flavio will take the 20 l tank from -21 m to -70 m and his bailout tank
from -21m to -50 m, while Stefano will pass by to look for us during the
decompression.
The passing of the deep zone is quick: Roberto succeeds in filming some images,
while I am taking the tank which was left yesterday during ascent at -80 m and
transport it up to around -40 m. Roberto signals that his VR3 has turned off in
water for which we will make the decompression following my computer,
considering that we have both made the same dive.
I think the filmed material will be good, considering that with the closed
circuits we almost don't make bubbles and the little that we are forced to make
in ascent don't create much damage to the visibility. The only zone where
unfortunately it is reduced is at -33 m, but further on this changes immediately
and as the gallery changes direction the visibility improves clearly.
There are two
passages before us and I leave an elastic to make it clear to Jean Jacques which
line to follow. In the last part of the tunnel we succeed in quickly passing the
worst part regarding the visibility without messing around a lot and after 55
minutes we resurface.
Quickly we change and as soon as we have removed the closed circuits Jean
Jacques emerges; we close the valves of tanks, arrange all the small materials
in a safe zone away from the pool of water which, after we have geared off
walking on the mud on the bottom, doesn't have any reason to be jealous about
milk-coffee.
With calm we look around, and by memory, I describe the little of the cave that
can not be seen and that I already know. While chatting, I open my sack to
remove the materials and to prepare the dive in the second sump and, so much
about telling good news I announce to have forgotten the rigging to mount the
tanks on the sides. I continue to think about on how to do with the material
that we have at disposition, but knowing the sump and making the accounts, I
decide to postpone the dive to Thursday.
At this point we don't have
anything else to do than to examine the shaft which is opening above the little
entrance pool: I climb for first, immediately behind me follows Jean Jacques and
then, after a brief work of conviction, we are followed by Roberto, who is less
used in speleological vertical techniques. Once reached the point where years
ago I had climbed already I discuss with Jean Jacques on the prosecution of the
climb: it won't be difficult to face with drilling machine and ropes.
We are ahead of the time schedule and therefore we remain to chat a little
before returning, in order to arrive punctually to the appointment during
decompression. Roberto and I are the first ones to leave, employing some time
during the descent to do some filming and Jean Jacques immediately reaches us
after the deep passage: the "race" who arrives first at the restriction of the
entrance is opened.
The decompression obligations are different and therefore Jean Jacques passes us
greeting us with the hand; immediately after it is to me pass Jean Jacques
greeting him, while Roberto observes us having a good time.
Stefano
joins the meeting and after being sure that everything proceeds well, he leaves
to arrange his tanks. There we are at -21 m and again Jean Jacques returns in
advantage; I cheat a little on the decompression stop and pass the restriction
at -12 m as the first; at this I point I don't leave anyone pass me even if Jean
Jacques tries to pass pushing me from behind.
We resurface after 55 minutes.
Wednesday 4, a day of rest, we meet at the spring towards 10 o'clock in the
morning, waiting for the arrival of the TV broadcasting station TSI,
(televisione della svizzera italiana) which after having read the press release
is interested in an interview with us.
Dr. Silvio Seno, the director of the Natural Sciences Institute arrives at
first, then the technicians and the journalist; a few minutes later reporters of
the television station of Lugano and of a local radio station as well as
different journalists and photographers arrive.
After having spoken with everybody, towards 11,30 I get into the water with
Lorenzo to take photos in the deep restriction. Jean Jacques is not diving,
Roberto will wait for us at about -60m to do some more filming, while Stefano
later will go to down to the deep zone and Flavio will give assistance to
Matthias who will make some photos in the first meters of the tunnel.
I leave 5
minutes after Matthias and Flavio and stop in the arranged point where I am
blinded by a series of flashes. Once finished the film, the two photographers
leave and I stay to wait for Lorenzo who arrives after a few minutes. We slowly
go down towards the bottom taking some pictures, at around -80 m I recognize a
small fracture that goes up vertically on the ceiling, hidden from a rock
prominence; "hurray" I cry into the mouth piece, a new passage to be explored.
We go down to the bottom, I stop before entering the restriction, I give Lorenzo
the time to take some pictures, then we enter and pass it: with the digital
camera many pictures are taken, and at the return I remain in the cue. At the
exit of the restriction we meet Stefano with whom we exchange a couple of
gesticulated jokes and then Lorenzo and I ascend. At -60 Roberto waits and
illuminates the tunnel with his main lights. Adding the lighting power of
Lorenzo and Roberto there are around 1000W of light here: this allows me to
observe the tunnel like it had never happened to me before. After 85 minutes we
resurface satisfied about the performed documentation work.
Towards evening Lorenzo is forced to return home for job obligations, while we
prepare the watertight containers to transport the necessary materials for the
exploration beyond the sump.
On Thursday 5 we
reach the spring towards 10.30 in the morning, we calibrate the sensors of the
closed circuits, we adjust the two dry tubes to neutral asset and make the last
arrangements with Stefano and Flavio.
This time unfortunately it is not easy to establish a precise hour of return,
because I don't have the slightest idea of how much time we will be busy beyond
the sump. I tell them that we will be away for at least 4-5 hours, and for
knowing when to come to check on us, it will be enough to observe the few
bubbles which we are forced to make in ascent, the bubbles will reach the
surface of the water.
Everything is ready: toward
midday we get ready and enter the water: Roberto will bring the video camera and
photo equipment, I will carry the two big speleo sacks, and Jean Jacques will
carry an empty sack.
Roberto waits
for me behind the restriction at -12 m and documents the moment in which I pick
up the sacks and attach them onto my rigging. An ok and we start the descent; I
am finning in a sustained way for maintaining a medium speed, even if the two
sacks make a lot of attrition and slow me down. I reach the first deco stop, I
wait for a minute and I see Roberto arrive, in continuous ascent until we arrive
in the last section of the tunnel which is still turbid because of our passage
two days ago. I resurface after 45 minutes and little later Roberto arrives:
just as we have removed the equipment Jean Jacques arrives.
Once taken off the bulky and heavy equipments, we decide what to do: at first
the dive in the second sump and then the climbing work.
I transport the two heavy dry tubes into the tunnel which is developed above the
lake in a free climb of about 10 m. I open the tubes and remove the equipments
that serve me. I use the rigging built with patience by Philippe Bigear
(Bibige), I take off the lights from the helmet and leave the two LED lamps; I
use the short fins of Roberto, more practical in narrow environments, I rig the
tanks using a technique similar to the "English style" but decidedly more
practical because it allows me to unhook the cylinders from the rigging in a
simple way. I hold the exploration reel in hand, a quick check of the regulators
and just before the dive I have an inexplicable free flow on the Cyclon; I close
the tank, turn the lewer of the second stage a little and at the opening of the
tank everything is perfect. I am not used to dive in open circuit amore and I
don't like the thought of the limited autonomy of the two small tanks anymore:
Anyway by now I am ready for the dive.
After few meters, I find the line put there by myself a few months ago, broken:
I attach the new line and advance quickly until I reach the most narrow point; I
easily pass it, I continue for 5 m of new exploration until I find myself a
couple of meters before a scree of material.
I decide to stop because there are two
narrow passages and the continuation doesn't seem clear. Since the visibility
begins to deteriorate, I tie off the line and begin to return. I get jammed in
the restriction, but after moving the helmet and a cylinder I succeed in passing:
I resurface after a few minutes.
I describe the
dive in short words and we ascend the shaft up to the point where we can change
more comfortably.
We decide that it is time for the lunch break and considering that we have
bread, cheese, peanuts and water with us we have a feast.
Later we return to duty.
I wear a cave rig, shoes for alpinism, my caver's helmet which for the occasion
has replaced the more comfortable but decidedly less safe diving helmet, and
carry rope, drilling machine, hammer, wrench, fix and all the necessary stuff
for the climbing.
I begin ascend in the shaft: the first 5 m are easy, then other 5 m. I continue
without securing myself; in about 15m of height I find myself in the most
delicate passage for which I stop to think and to observe how to pass it; from
below I hear Jean Jacques who asks me if "ce n'est pas l'heure de planter un
spit". At this request of him the turns of the brain begin to get excited: I am
in a not very comfortable zone but I find a good point to plant a spit after
having tested the rock with the hammer.
Drilling
machine, hole, spit, plaque, carbine and rope: the game is made. I descend to
make an anchorage at the bottom of the shaft to give Jean Jacques the
possibility to secure me considering the fact that he has not put on the cave
rig yet. Up again: Once reached the delicate passage I face and pass it
determinedly; I climb another 5 m and when I see that to my right the tunnel
doesn't continue, some attack of demoralization hits me. The part to the left
still remains, covered by a rock prominence, still to be explored.
I continue and there I am after another 5 m, where the shaft finishes in a room
of some meters width. I call to
Jean Jacques to change and come up as soon as I have secured the climb with
ropes. While I am waiting for him, I observe the room and see white concretions,
which are called spaghetti because of their shape that goes down from the
ceiling.
I am happy: Jean Jacques reaches me and together we start walking into the
tunnel. The dimensions don't pass 3X5 m: after one hundred meters we stop in
front of a junction, we choose to go to the left but after about twenty meters,
we find ourselfs in a restriction, that forces us to crawl and twist for passing
it. We follow the biggest tunnel avoiding for the moment to enter the narrow
sections, even if, we sometimes find orselves crawling on the fortunately dry
mud. The concretions are spilled
both in quantity and in beauty: spaghetti with a lenght of 1,8 m and a diameter
of 4-5 mm, eccentric concretions and even a casting of white calcite.
We did not bring along drilling machine and ropes and
stop infront of a very muddy climb of some meter. We are satisfied; during the
return we try to estimate the distance passed: around 300 m of tunnels with a
level difference of 100 m.
Looking
for a space where to organize a camp to sleep but not finding anything
comfortable, the next time we will repeat to do a "touch and go" but for sure
with a longer stay than this time. We reach Roberto who has expected us with
patience at the bottom of the shaft: who knows what kind of and how many
thoughts will have passed in his mind! The exploratory progression in dry cave
is still a novelty for him.
We change quickly, arrange the dry containers in the sacks, go down to the water
and get ready for the return dive.
My assignment is not ended yet, because I have to put some fluorescence in the
second sump. This action worries me because this substance, once released into
the water, reduces the visibility to zero and I would not like to have this
product on my dry suit, invalidating the whole test.
Roberto departs
for first with a broken wrist, while Jean Jacques who being the first to descend
has slipped, leaves with his dry suit cut at a lenght of 3 cm in the area of his
butt (I would not like to be in his place). I observe him while it is trying to
get ready outside of the water to avoid taking a bidet but in the end I see that
he decides to take his sack and to depart like this. Then it is my time: I put
the fluorescence in the second sump and leave the place quickly. In any case the
visibility is reduced to 50 cm because of the clay; I slowly pass the first 50 m
of tunnel considering that am loaded like a mule, then the situation improves.
Something with my dry tubes doesn't work because one of them is getting heavier
and heavier. At -40 m I stop to pick up the 15 l tank: by now I am sure that
water is entering the dry tube and I have to hurry if I want to succeed in
bringing it out.
I quickly
descend trying to slow down the fall compensating dry suit, wing and
counterlungs of the circuit,; I reach the deep restriction, I pass it rolling
the dry tube by now full of water in front of me. At the exit, I arm myself with
patience and hold the tube in the hands blowing up the dry suit to the
impossible. I begin to ascend pushing the fins with all the strength that is
left in me. At -70 m I pick up also the 20 l tank; since I am almost out of
breath, I work with the Bypass to add the oxygen that I consume at high rate. I
begin to feel pain in the fingers of the left hand holding the heavy sack which
by now weighs about 20 kg; I have no other choice than change hands for
relieving the muscular tension and the situation improves. At -27m I meet
Stefano to whom I finally pass the dry tube relaxing myself and starting to
breath normally again. I slightly
extend the decompression stops to compensate the task load, but at -12 m I start
to have some pains in the forearms.
I pass all of my material to Flavio. I don't have another possibilità than
ascending slowly, using the pain in the forearms as a decompression meter. I
resurface about twenty minutes later than the others: outside it is dark,
because by now it is nine o'clock in the evening: I continue to breathe oxygen
from my circuit for a few minutes and then the operations of loading the cars
begin.
Finally at 23.00 we put our feet under the table to enjoy a delicious and
abundant raclette……
Participants:
Flavio Luzzi. (Switzerland)
Jean Jacques Bolanz (Switzerland)
Lorenzo del Veneziano (Italy)
Luigi Casati (Italy)
Matthias Blaettler (Switzerland)
Roberto Delaide (Italy)
Stefano Beatrizotti (Switzerland)
Thanks to:
Azienda Industriale di Lugano
Municipalità of Arogno
Institute of Natural Sciences
Newspaper Agency "Il giornale del Popolo"
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