Can't take the cold anymore...

[dk2943]

Many years ago I said "f__k it." Packed up everything and moved to Miami. I have not missed the cold weather one bit!

 

[matt_unique]

Yesterday at Cat we had flat seas, among the best vis days I have ever seen in NE, and no current. I could look at my computer at 50' then turn my head to see the ripples of the water on the surface easily. NUTTY! I may have been able to see the surface from even deeper. It did not occur to me to look until we were on our way back.

It was high tide so we were able to max at 80' at the bottom. Water temp was steady at 42 degrees.

--Matt

 

[mello-yellow]

You were at Cathedral Rocks?? Did you bring alpine gear with you?

It's hard enough to carry scuba tanks over those rocks when they are dry; how do you manage when they are iced over?

 

[cheddarguy]

I agree cold weather sucks. Woke up this AM to -18*F air temp. Wind chill -35*F
and still started my truck and went to work.

 

[matt_unique]

We dive Cathedral Ledge nearly every weekend in the winter. We choose another site if the rocks are covered with ice or snow. (Or of course if the ocean conditions are too rough). The rocks have yet to be icy or snow covered when we've gone this year. There is definitely a best path to be followed down and up. We lug lug our gear down with a few trips. After the dive we walk out wearing all our gear. It's one hell of a workout for anyone, but it's doable.

--Matt

 

[under water]

Yesterday at Cat we had flat seas, among the best vis days I have ever seen in NE, and no current. I could look at my computer at 50' then turn my head to see the ripples of the water on the surface easily. NUTTY! I may have been able to see the surface from even deeper. It did not occur to me to look until we were on our way back.

--Matt

I had never really thought about it before, but is that how viz is generally measured. ie looking up? It sure helps to have a depth gauge to tell you how far you can see instead of guesstimating sideways.

 

[MSilvia]

is that how viz is generally measured?

I think it's usually measured by wild-assed guess, but the "correct" way as I understand it involves using a black and white patterned disk and a linear measuring device. Since the W.A.G. method is flawed at best, and the disk method is a pain in the butt, I think the "depth from which I can see surface detail" method is probably the best combination of reliability and convenience I'm familiar with.

 

[Rainer]

I usually check the vis to the surface and then also attempt to guesstimate linear distance (which seems to often be less). We did two dives at Folly on Saturday, and I'd estimate the vis at 25-30' (a bit better on the left side of the cove than the right). Could make out the surface from 30'. Did two 50 minute dives, with water temps at 39F. Is motivation to try to get my dry gloves working before the ice diving class next weekend.

 

[under water]

Did two 50 minute dives, with water temps at 39F.

Given the air temp high was 16 degrees on Saturday, with a 15-25 mph wind, the water must have felt toasty
One of these days, I'll dive in NE in January. One of these days!

 

[matt_unique]

I think it's usually measured by wild-assed guess, but the "correct" way as I understand it involves using a black and white patterned disk and a linear measuring device. Since the W.A.G. method is flawed at best, and the disk method is a pain in the butt, I think the "depth from which I can see surface detail" method is probably the best combination of reliability and convenience I'm familiar with.

I agree, and I suppose as divers we can decide what vis (horizontal or vertical) is most useful to us. We can easily use our computers to see how deep we can go and still see the surface. To accurately determine horizontal vis at a given depth we would need pre-measured line, tape measure, etc.

I figured for our purposes we can use a simple (and easily reproduced) method to provide each other with an idea of how far we could see. In the particular example above, it is very rare in my experience to be able to see the surface from 50' of depth at Cat. As soon as we hit the water and looked down we knew we had a great chance for some great vis. It was just very clear compared to what we usually see. Sometimes on a free ascent we can't see the surface from our safety stop depth of 15 or 20'.

I wonder what kind of vis we'll have this weekend....

--Matt