steve2281
June 16th, 2006, 09:33 PM
The Mine LaMotte outing went pretty much as planned. The only cog in our gears turned out to be one of our group who decided to dive wet while wearing a drysuit. The torn neck seal caused our second dive to be cut short.
A couple months ago, I was able to aquire a line survey of the old section of this mine. Despite considerable research, we have not been able to get a map or survey of the newer "Hall Rd" section. During our last several visits we have been working on our own "rough survey" of this section. Both of today's dives were dedicated to adding to our survey.
Entry for both dives was through the Bat Cave saving us the 500' swim from the main entrance to the start of the Hall Rd line. Water temp was 53* at depths above 25' and 49* at 35' or deeper. Vis was 5-20 in the shallower areas and about 30' below 30' deep.
Dive one was down the main line (if you can call it that) with the intentions of surveying the area past the second T at about 850' penetration. As it turned out, a fourth grader with a Dime Store compass could map this 600' section since it was straight as a dragstrip. Dive was turned at 37 min at the third T approximately 1500' penetration. Couple of jumps were spotted and marked on the way out. Dive time 72 min.
Plan for dive two was to take the first T to the left and survey the area beyond. This turned out to be a 500' rectangular circuit ending within visual jumping distance of the main line. We turned the dive at 25 min and retraced our path pulling our markers as we went. Since our semi-dry diver was getting cold, we made our escape in 17 min for a dive time of 42 min.
Lessons Learned: 1) Always bring a wetsuit for backup when planning a drysuit dive in mid June. 2) Bring a snorkel, yes a snorkel.
If you would like a copy of our "rough survey" send $1 to my PayPal account. Please include $49.95 for shipping and handling. Allow 6-8 months for delivery.
see ya
A couple months ago, I was able to aquire a line survey of the old section of this mine. Despite considerable research, we have not been able to get a map or survey of the newer "Hall Rd" section. During our last several visits we have been working on our own "rough survey" of this section. Both of today's dives were dedicated to adding to our survey.
Entry for both dives was through the Bat Cave saving us the 500' swim from the main entrance to the start of the Hall Rd line. Water temp was 53* at depths above 25' and 49* at 35' or deeper. Vis was 5-20 in the shallower areas and about 30' below 30' deep.
Dive one was down the main line (if you can call it that) with the intentions of surveying the area past the second T at about 850' penetration. As it turned out, a fourth grader with a Dime Store compass could map this 600' section since it was straight as a dragstrip. Dive was turned at 37 min at the third T approximately 1500' penetration. Couple of jumps were spotted and marked on the way out. Dive time 72 min.
Plan for dive two was to take the first T to the left and survey the area beyond. This turned out to be a 500' rectangular circuit ending within visual jumping distance of the main line. We turned the dive at 25 min and retraced our path pulling our markers as we went. Since our semi-dry diver was getting cold, we made our escape in 17 min for a dive time of 42 min.
Lessons Learned: 1) Always bring a wetsuit for backup when planning a drysuit dive in mid June. 2) Bring a snorkel, yes a snorkel.
If you would like a copy of our "rough survey" send $1 to my PayPal account. Please include $49.95 for shipping and handling. Allow 6-8 months for delivery.
see ya