Cathedral Ledge - Dec 3, 2005

[lord1234]

good god...a woman comes out of the woodwork and its like a pack of roving wolves wake up

 

[matt_unique]

Nice pic. No pic of the moon ?

I don't mind the hike as much as the exit after the tides has gone. Las time we went there there was a tiny swell coming in just enough to make ya head to Folley.
What was the water temps ?

46 on one computer and 48 on the other - so I will say 47 degrees at depth.

--Matt

 

[matt_unique]

Sounds like you had a great day. Ive checked out that site a few times. Getting down to the water looks pretty hard. I'll need some big strong guy to help me.:10:

Yeah it's pretty much a disaster waiting to happen for anyone to get down to the water. Once you're there it's a great dive with a great area to setup. Low tide with swells is challenging. That was what I meant by the "mixing bowl". There are times when circular currents are very strong. It's also the best bang for your buck. There are no other shore dive sites in Mass where you can reach 80' without an extremely long swim. Definitely not for the faint of heart. You are rewarded with a dive topography similar to the surface.

Ha ha - we're not big guys just hearty New Englanders You buy the requisite lunch and drinks apres dive and we'll lug the gear up and down. Hell that offer would apply to anyone (as long as you're diving single tanks no larger than HP 100CF).

--Matt

PS Two drinks, bowl of clam chowder, and a ceasar salad will run you about $25 at Lobstalan

 

[PAdiver93]

Yeah it's pretty much a disaster waiting to happen for anyone to get down to the water. Once you're there it's a great dive with a great area to setup. Low tide with swells is challenging. That was what I meant by the "mixing bowl". There are times when circular currents are very strong. It's also the best bang for your buck. There are no other shore dive sites in Mass where you can reach 80' without an extremely long swim. Definitely not for the faint of heart. You are rewarded with a dive topography similar to the surface.

Ha ha - we're not big guys just hearty New Englanders You buy the requisite lunch and drinks apres dive and we'll lug the gear up and down. Hell that offer would apply to anyone (as long as you're diving single tanks no larger than HP 100CF).

--Matt

PS Two drinks, bowl of clam chowder, and a ceasar salad will run you about $25 at Lobstalan

What do u mean by "Definitely not for the faint of heart."? The hike to the site or the dive itself? 80' for a shore dive???!!! I hate u all!

 

[johnnyseko]

What do u mean by "Definitely not for the faint of heart."? The hike to the site or the dive itself? 80' for a shore dive???!!! I hate u all!

:10:

It is a fantastic dive......

 

[bikeflip22]

anyone know how long the distance is due west towards the shelf or ledge where it drops to 83 feet?


Seems unreal. Also, was just curious, ive heard of people not being able to get back OUT of the water due to how hard it is, is this because of the tanks? or what?

If this is going to be a recreational diving spot for many, they should get a long thick piece of rope that could be tied before the rocks and have it so people will be able to pull themselves up out of the water. Just a thought, a respectful one.



Anyway, got any underwater pictures of cathedral rocks?
i would be intrested

 

[matt_unique]

anyone know how long the distance is due west towards the shelf or ledge where it drops to 83 feet?


Seems unreal. Also, was just curious, ive heard of people not being able to get back OUT of the water due to how hard it is, is this because of the tanks? or what?

If this is going to be a recreational diving spot for many, they should get a long thick piece of rope that could be tied before the rocks and have it so people will be able to pull themselves up out of the water. Just a thought, a respectful one.



Anyway, got any underwater pictures of cathedral rocks?
i would be intrested

Reverse those headings and you're good to go. East to get out and West to get back assuming no current of course. I take about 15 minutes to reach "the moon". I refer to "the moon" as the white sandy bottom of this site where you reach the max depth. Obviously your pace will determine the time required. 50 yards perhaps?

The challenge with the entry/exit is a function of the swells and the tide. Low tide with decent swells are the most difficult conditions. The exit point has a ledge formation that literally causes a swirling mixing bowl when the swells come in. You can even see it underwater as you approach it. At high tide you can do a giant step in. At low tide I choose to squeeze down between the primary ledge (extending farthest out) and the wall of ledge just to the right of that. I exit in the same place regardless of tide or swell. With these difficulties timing is critical. Shoot in as fast as possible with reg in your mount and get out of the water a bit on hands and knees. Once you can grab the wall you can remove your fins. Tough to describe without detailed photo's. I would suggest you visit Cat the first time with someone who has done it several times.

A rope would be handy but I'm not sure where it could be tied. Perhaps a large rope tied around a large rock or such.

The worst part is really lugging the gear down and out. There are some good size steps you need to take with heavy gear. Some years ago it was easier but a huge storm surge came in an moved this large portion of the ledge. Prior to that we would walk down and out fully suited.

It's my favorite site because of the topography and depth options. It's not remotely safe to try to dive this site with snow or ice on the rocks. You will barely be able to walk in with dry rocks and your gear.

I have UW pics from Cat somewhere in the basement. We don't have enough vis to show a great wide angle picture though.

--Matt

 

[bikeflip22]

u should scan them cuz im intrested

 

[matt_unique]

u should scan them cuz im intrested

I'll get right on that.....



eyebrow

 

[bikeflip22]

thanks