07-Aug-2001 -- The first week of our holidays we would spend in the Jura in France. Because the only confluence there had not been visited successfully, we planned a trip to it in this beautiful green, peaceful mountainous area.

The real hunt started in a village called Nans-sous-Ste.-Anne. The first attempt, done by Richard Rutledge, had taught us to choose the western side of the Lison river. From this place start several nice walking routes. One of them brings you to a great natural phenomenon: the source of the Lison river. The real source is 20 km further, but at this place the river comes out of the mountain like a cascade. Later this day we would visit it.

We parked the car on the closest place possible by car: a hairpin on the D139 from Nans to Saraz. From this bend a path leads into the woods, directly in the right direction. Not far from the road I discovered a sort of feeding place for deer or wild boars between the foliage trees. After about 15 minutes the path stops and the slope is getting steeper. I could hear the Lison river far below me in the valley. The last 50 meters I had to use all four on loose rock and lots of mush. The last couple of meters were very challenging. The exact spot seemed to be somewhere on a cliff. For the GPS picture I had to go forward and downward, but every meter meant difficult rockclimbing. I took about eight pictures, every time more zeroes on the display.

Later it appeared that these pictures were unreadable because I had made them to close with my new camera! This time no proof. I was not the first person here: some trees were marked with paint. Probably potential victims of a wood cutter. Because my wife Hiltje and daughter Jikke were waiting in the car I rushed back. On the muddy path I saw foot prints of many hoofed animals.

The whole operation had cost about one hour so we had plenty of time left to take a nice walk together. On the last picture you can see my dream after this visit: my name 'written' on the map. I shall be glad to receive sponsors for this idea. I will write your company’s name on the globe by my confluence visits!

Dick Stada