California N & S Mag @ Jade Cove?????

[Ann Marie]

Is there anywhere near Jade Cove that we can charter a dive boat to take some in? The more adventurous can hike in while the others can go on the boat. While I'd like to hunt for jade, I'd also want to include as many members as possible.

If we can't get a boat in, perhaps Monterey is better??

 

[Brewski]

Is there anywhere near Jade Cove that we can charter a dive boat to take some in? The more adventurous can hike in while the others can go on the boat. While I'd like to hunt for jade, I'd also want to include as many members as possible.

If we can't get a boat in, perhaps Monterey is better??

Cpt. Phil told me he takes the Cypress Sea there on occasion if its requested. If memory serves he said it takes a couple hours to get there. I don't know of any boats that work out of any other area than monterey harbor.

 

[iambluesman]

Otto's article paints a beautiful and desirable depiction of this site however, I feel he has downplayed the hazards and should feel some level of responsibility for those that will venture there and dive beyond their limits. More than once I have seen divers being helped up cliffs with injuries due to fatigue or lack of knowledge. There is no medical attention. There is no cell service on the beach. Some days go by without a single person stepping onto the beach. Hospital attention is 2hrs away so you are definitely on your own. BE CAREFUL !!! Plain foolish to do this dive without someone that knows the Cove's nuances whether diving by boat or from shore.

I have had many dives at the cove and you had better be in shape to hike it, an excellent diver to negotiate underwater obstacles in tough surge, long swims and have enough physical resource left in reserve to negotiate the boulder field, and waves when exiting especially in the South Cove. I have broken ribs on the way in more than once.

Central coast water can change in the blink of an eye. While diving one day, I had been under 20 minutes and noticed a big change in the surge. I ended my dive early and without going into the details, I made it in by ditching my rig and getting help out of the water by a beach picker. Nothing worse that being in the surf zone getting swept through the middle of a boulder field uttering the words "I'm F#(<ed". Upon checking the Cape San Martin buoy after getting home it showed the swell going from 7.8ft NW to 10.9ft W.

Drysuits? forget it, too heavy to hike and the rocks will shred it.
Neopreme gloves? Brand new pair will shred by the end of the day find something less expensive to ruin as you claw at the cliff and scratch through the gravel.
The hike? Not only physically demanding, all of the trails are littered with slippery Soapstone that is like glass when wet and it seems as though water is always "leaching" out of the cliffs and onto the trails.
Poison Oak? Plenty of that along the trail
Kelp? Better know how to swim through it and untangle yourself in surge.

The Big Sur locals know these cliffs, beaches and trails better than anyone. They know a familar face or car and often meet and greet to show and tell (lie?) around a newly found gem. They also know an unfamiliar car as evidenced by the broken auto glass and bits of rubber in the turnouts. Where do you think the sign went?

Extremely close proximity to Elephant Seals on the small beach occasionally present a hazzard depending on their mood.
Oh, there is also another local that frequents the Cove and makes at least one annual apperance ... he wears a Grey Suit. When the vultures start circling a carcass that is a pretty good indication Whitey has been in close. Don't believe me? Check out 2010 Shark encounters on the Shark research site.

People my intent is not to scare anyone away, it is to properly and responsibly inform you so you can prepare a good, SAFE dive. My comments are the details regarding safety and expectations that Otto left out about this dive site which any first timer should know about prior to heading to the Cove.

 

[DwayneJ]

Otto's article paints a beautiful and desirable depiction of this site however, I feel he has downplayed the hazards and should feel some level of responsibility for those that will venture there and dive beyond their limits.

Wow - Thanks for the feedback!

 

[2ndjetty]

Bluesman sounds like a local ;- ). That said, I would hope divers would only head up there once confident in their skills, fitness, understanding and ability to read the ocean, checking the weather and swell charts, tides, pre-hiking the trail, ability to react to situations, etc. I imagine Otto assumed that in writing the article.

But we've all seen divers with zero understanding of the ocean do dumb things - and the ocean do unpredictable things prepared people. With all that in mind it sounds like an awesome dive!

 

[Rainer]

Lol, well *I* am scared away! [Seriously, though, thanks for painting a more complete picture. I've been to Jade Cove many years ago, but never as a diver.]

 

[cmburch]

There are divers that use dry suits at Jade Cove. I have also seen freedivers and once a kayaker. Yes, conditions can be unpredictable with calm conditions when entering and later 10' swells when trying to exit. Kids can pick up small bits on the beach if following the rules for collecting. It is about a 4 hour drive for me. Some have had their vehicles vandalized (broken windows and slashed tires) while in the water. I have always gone with a group of 3 or more vehicles and have never had a problem. I am up to meeting anyone there. Obviously, if conditions are bad we would just hike the trail and have a picnic.

http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_jadecove.html

 

[Diablo Loco]

Otto's article paints a beautiful and desirable depiction of this site however, I feel he has downplayed the hazards and should feel some level of responsibility for those that will venture there and dive beyond their limits. More than once I have seen divers being helped up cliffs with injuries due to fatigue or lack of knowledge. There is no medical attention. There is no cell service on the beach. Some days go by without a single person stepping onto the beach. Hospital attention is 2hrs away so you are definitely on your own. BE CAREFUL !!! Plain foolish to do this dive without someone that knows the Cove's nuances whether diving by boat or from shore.

I have had many dives at the cove and you had better be in shape to hike it, an excellent diver to negotiate underwater obstacles in tough surge, long swims and have enough physical resource left in reserve to negotiate the boulder field, and waves when exiting especially in the South Cove. I have broken ribs on the way in more than once.

Central coast water can change in the blink of an eye. While diving one day, I had been under 20 minutes and noticed a big change in the surge. I ended my dive early and without going into the details, I made it in by ditching my rig and getting help out of the water by a beach picker. Nothing worse that being in the surf zone getting swept through the middle of a boulder field uttering the words "I'm F#(<ed". Upon checking the Cape San Martin buoy after getting home it showed the swell going from 7.8ft NW to 10.9ft W.

Drysuits? forget it, too heavy to hike and the rocks will shred it.
Neopreme gloves? Brand new pair will shred by the end of the day find something less expensive to ruin as you claw at the cliff and scratch through the gravel.
The hike? Not only physically demanding, all of the trails are littered with slippery Soapstone that is like glass when wet and it seems as though water is always "leaching" out of the cliffs and onto the trails.
Poison Oak? Plenty of that along the trail
Kelp? Better know how to swim through it and untangle yourself in surge.

The Big Sur locals know these cliffs, beaches and trails better than anyone. They know a familar face or car and often meet and greet to show and tell (lie?) around a newly found gem. They also know an unfamiliar car as evidenced by the broken auto glass and bits of rubber in the turnouts. Where do you think the sign went?

Extremely close proximity to Elephant Seals on the small beach occasionally present a hazzard depending on their mood.
Oh, there is also another local that frequents the Cove and makes at least one annual apperance ... he wears a Grey Suit. When the vultures start circling a carcass that is a pretty good indication Whitey has been in close. Don't believe me? Check out 2010 Shark encounters on the Shark research site.

People my intent is not to scare anyone away, it is to properly and responsibly inform you so you can prepare a good, SAFE dive. My comments are the details regarding safety and expectations that Otto left out about this dive site which any first timer should know about prior to heading to the Cove.

All of that experience coming from a guy with less than 25 dives? Wow! You really must know what you are talking about. I have dove the area many times. It is a lot of work going up and down the hill, especially with dive gear. But is not any more dangerous than diving any place along Big Sur, unless of course its an open beach to the public. The cliff is the only real danger. Once down on the beach, it is just like any other dive. Yes, there are risks involved when diving Jade Cove, North or South Cove's. That is only because it is exposed to the ocean elements. The water can get rough in a very short time and make getting back to shore an adventure. But an experienced diver would know what to do and how to handle the situation. Have you ever dove Monastery Beach (AKA Mortuary Beach) in Carmel? Well, it is considered one of the most dangerous place along the central coast, if not the state. It has claimed more lives than most any other beach in the state. Yet, it is also very popular for training dives for Advanced Diver training. It is also one of the most scenic dives in Carmel. Even with the dangers that are known, people continue to dive Monastery Beach on a regular basis.

As with any dive, you need to know your limitations. You also need to be prepared with the proper equipment for each and every dive, regardless of where it will be. You also need to know how to use that equipment. But most important, you need to have experience in diving. I am not just talking about resort diving, with ideal conditions and 100' vis. I am talking about California diving in near zero vis, 50 degree water with a 7mm to 9mm wetsuit, with kelp and not-so-desirable conditions. Not some easy entry dives, like at at San Carlos Beach or Lover's Point or cattle-boat dive's out at the Island's. Once you have a 100 or more dives in these more challenging conditions, then you will actually have some dive experience. Until then, you have no room to give advice or warn anyone about their limitations.

As for the GWS that you say cruises there yearly, hate to break it to you, but it is not the only one that cruises the area. It's also call an ocean. It is where the GWS happen to live. If you are afraid of "The Man in the Grey Suit," then you should look into another sport. It goes with the territory.

And don't get me started on the broken rib thing. That's just lame.