Catacombs exploration

i guess i would just throw in some sofirns convoy and lumintop in a backpack i guess… u need have spares doing that stuff in case u run out of power lol… what a nightmare :s

If the Lizard people really want you they come for you even when you are above ground level.

There are the ossuaries Catacombes, with signage and I assume lighting for the most part. And there are the rest of the underground quarries, usually also referred as Catacombes, where you’re on your own and you need to be equipped like for any caving expedition. The ossuaries only account 0.5% of the caves according to Wikipedia.

Of the ones I currently own? I’d probably do this

Primary Headlamp: Armytek Wizard Pro
Backup Headlamp: Sporttac PH10LC2, or possibly Thrunite TH20 if weight/space factors. I’d rather have redundant batteries, though.
Primary Handheld: Tough one. To be honest I’d probably use my Zebralight sc63w but I might grab the Seraph-6 with Malkoff M361-N219W.
Backup handheld: Couple here for sure. I’d have my EDC Thrunite Ti3/219b on my keys and probably 1-2x Sofirn C01/C01S. Maybe I’d double up and bring both the ZL and the Malkoff discussed above.

SHTF: Well, might be good to bring some chem sticks, too. Don’t want to die down there because China decided to hit Europe with an HAEMP strike. :smiley:

Edit: Now that I think about it, might be good to have one dedicated thrower. Any flood is going to wash out on the walls and make it hard to spot down a tunnel…

Yes realistically a good headlamp is a critical illumination tool for spelunking. I went on a one hour quick night hike yesterday, carrying my new Imalent R90TS. It was all I could do because the local authorities lock up the steel gate and start towing cars at 9:00 PM. The Imalent R90TS is surprisingly well-designed with regards to User Interface, mode spacing, size and weight. It was pleasant to carry in spite of its 8 X 21700 battery pack.

I suppose based upon this, I would use a long-running headlamp with two spare headlamps securely fastened to my body. For experimental purposes, as a flashlight enthusiast, I would bring along my current Imalent R90TS; for curiosity sake.

Unfortunately, I have never been in the Parisian catacombs. My dream is to visit Odessa and Paris ones. But there are a lot of mines near Moscow. They are not very long. Longest one is 18km. One of the main rules there is not to go alone. I only take 2 headlamps with me and spare 18650, one for every day I am underground. I usually bring with me the same flashlights I use in the caves Panda 3 and Skulhunt H03 with 4*E21A.

You carry that for a walk?!

Dear dealgrabber2002, I do with regards to the hand torch. I’m a really curious person when it comes to illumination. The Imalent R90TS is surprisingly pleasant to carry compared to other mega-sized flashlights. The shape is subtly tapered. There are no unpleasant protrusions, weird shapes, or sharp fins. Its LEDs generate a lot of heat. The active cooling fans are essential when running the light at higher levels when the batteries are fully charged. You can feel the hot air as it’s being blown out.

Is it expensive?

It is, unfortunately. For a sensible choice go with the Streamlight 4AA Lux from Brightguy. Only $39.xx and maintains a throwy but useable beam of 100 lumens for 4 hours. Uses AA batteries.

Of course with a light like that, I’d go on some walks just to have a chance to use it.

Lol, make sense.

What a coincidence! Just yesterday I did a web search for catacombs (non flashlight reason) and one of the photos that came up had a brightly lit circle of pure white light… I immediately thought that’s a hot rod light! Then began thinking of what light I would use in there myself, now today I find this thread!

Something to think about for all flashaholics! Is this for lights we already own?

I’ve also recently been considering a tour of a 1.25 mile long abandoned highway tunnel, so I’ve already been thinking about this lately…
Here are the best 2 lights I have for this type of adventure (Handheld & Headlamp) :

1. Q8
2. Thrunite TH30

If the Q8 were too cumbersome I’d take my Thrunite TC20 instead (or for a 3rd)
I also have on order a Manker MC13 90.2 Limited Edition I would consider taking.

I’d have to buy a headlamp since I only own a shitty incandescent one that I received as gift and has never been used. I guess that efficiency would be super important so I’d bring at least one Zebralight, probably several. Not sure if throw is a concern in such a scenario? I don’t have a true pocket thrower yet. The Catapult V6 is a stretch to call a pocket light. Either way, I’d make sure I had 3-4 of each cell I was using.

Oh boy, now I’m picturing flashaholics trying to keister their batteries. :person_facepalming: 18650s, 26650, 26800s…oh, the humanity!

You going?!

May I encourage you to take along a backup beater light? Streamlight 4AA Lux LED Division 1. Polycarbonate shatter-resistant, 4 AA batts, single tail clicky. Good throw and nice white tint.

We were in Paris several years ago for a family vacation, but unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit the catacombs. It was on the list, but there were too many other things that we did instead.

For me, I would bring a high CRI and a bright triple EDC. The high CRI EDC to examine all the cool stuff and the bright EDC just in case the high CRI ran out of battery.

Yes… the1.25 mile long abandoned highway tunnel not the Catacombs! Sorry if my post may have sounded like I was planning to tour the Catacombs, but if you read further I talk about the highway tunnel (I edited and put that in bold now too!)

I plan to take my son on this adventure (He’s 14) but I most likely will wait until next summer, it’s suppose to be best when there’s a lot of overgrown vegetation alongside of the abandoned highway.

Now I have the Manker MC13 90.2, which is so small I surely would take it for back up. I’m also looking at getting an Imalent MS303 or R30C, either of those will be good for this, or the Catacombs!!

That’s just the publicly accessible bit. I think the OP is referring to exploring the other 99% of the catacombs.

Ding ding ding