Blanche (Piton Dumauze)

From ropewiki.com
Jump to: navigation, search
Blanche (Piton Dumauze) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving
Also known as: Rivière Blanche Dumauzé; Riviere Blanche Dumauze; Riviere Blanche par le piton Dumauze. For other features with similar names, see Blanche (disambiguation)
Rating:
Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 4.8 (3 ratings)

Blanche (Piton Dumauze) Banner.jpg

‌
Difficulty:‌3C1 III (v4a3 IV)
Raps:‌21, max ↨148ft
Metric
Overall:6-8h ⟷3.1mi
Approach:2-2.5h ⟷1.5mi ↑1500ft
Descent:3.5-4.5h ⟷1mi ↓1400ft
Exit:30min-1h ⟷0.6mi ↓300ft
Red Tape:‌No permit required
Shuttle:‌Optional 4 km
Vehicle:Passenger
Start:
Parking:
Shuttle:
Condition Reports:
1 Jan 2023

"Trail in good shape, all anchors look excellent. Perfect flow. If higher, more challenging! AMAZING canyon. Went with Thierry Monges, and his knowledg

(log in to submit report)
Weather:
Best season:
Any, AVOID rains
winterspringsummerfall
DecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Regions:
Upload new version

Introduction

Blanche (Piton Dumauze) is one of the better routes on Martinique. Expect a stunning approach, some fairly big rappels, a canyon where flow picks up as it continuously narrows, and jumps, jumps and more jumps! This one shouldn't be missed.

Approach

From the parking area, cut up the grass slope on the right and into the forest. There is a trail here that is generally easy to follow. The vegetation is thick, however, and long sleeves and pants are a good idea. The trail winds up steeply.

  • The parking area - walk up the grass slope in the right of this photo
  • High up on the approach

    • Use the gps track on this page. The page continually goes up, soon breaks out of the forest, and has spectacular views. Soon after a short downclimb with a fixed rope, you'll have to turn right onto a smaller trail. This point is nondescript - use the gps for help. The trail continues going up, up, up from here.

  • The nondescript turnoff
  • The trail goes up the ridge center-right in this photo

    • After the trail goes up the ridge a ways, you'll reach an upclimb with the fixed rope. It's not too bad, but most people prefer to tie their packs to the rope and haul them up separately.

  • The trail going up the ridge
  • The upclimb

    • After this upclimb is another handline ascent, which is much easier. The trail then improves, though it can be muddy, as it cuts across a saddle with crazy views to a cloud-forest meadow where you can suit up.

  • The final rope-upclimb
  • The suit-up area at the start of the canyon

    • Descent

    The descent has around 21 rappels, with a continually increasing flow. There are swims, jumps, downclimbs, slippery boulders, and good to excellent anchors, mostly bolted.

    The first series of rappels go up to 25 meters with a small trickle.

  • Early rappel
  • One of the first rappels

    • The rappels bring you to a unique slanting rappel on a waterfall.

  • Atop a slanting rappel
  • Looking up the same rappel

    • After this, the waterfalls get better, and the swimming pools start.

  • Looking downcanyon
  • A nice waterfall rappel

    • You'll soon reach the big rap, around 40 meters. This is almost vertical, not overhung, in a shower of water. The bottom is a good spot for lunch.

  • Atop the big rap
  • From the bottom

    • The canyon joins with Alma shortly after this, and the flow increases considerably, and the canyon tightens. The fun gets better and better!

  • Joining with Alma
  • A jump in the lower part of the canyon

    • Some of the rappels are in waterfalls. Many can be jumped, but the rocks are slippery, and the rippling pools are hard to estimate depth. ALWAYS check the pools first.

  • Getting a shower on rappel
  • A gorgeous series of falls

    • The walls of the canyon become huge as it funnels you down, down, down. Some drops have fixed handlines.

  • Walls in the lower canyon
  • Handline in a frothing waterfall

    • The last part has another stunning set of jumps which can be handlined or rappelled.

  • One of the last obstacles
  • The final pool

    • Shortly after the final pool, the canyon opens, the flow seems to drop, and the slot ends. Time to hike the exit out!

    Exit

    After the last waterfall, the canyon opens somewhat and appears to be more flat. This is the end of the route. You'll see a visible trail the crosses back and forth. Follow this trail, using the GPS track on this page for guidance. The trail gets better and better, at times with heavy mud, and then comes out the the pavement where you've parked your lower shuttle vehicle.

  • Trail crossing the creek
  • Heavy mud
  • The trail improves

    • Red tape

    No red tape.

    Beta sites

    Trip reports and media

    Background

    As one of the better routes on Martinique, and also a route that shares its lower half with Alma, this route is commonly run and well-maintained (in general). Anchors are generally in good shape. First descent unknown.

    Credits

    Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

    In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).

    Retrieved from "https://ropewiki.com/index.php?title=Blanche_(Piton_Dumauze)&oldid=270673"