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I just saw on Haigh Quarry's web site that they are open this weekend for ice diving. Anybody going?
Ice Diving at Haigh
- Thread starter ppo2_diver
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gangrel441
Contributor
ppo2_diver:
Ice diving? Yep.
Haigh? Not this time...
ppo2_diver:
Duane,
Are you that desperate to get wet? Most of the boats start running on the Lakes in early April; I can wait that long . . . I think.
Tom
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If there is an opportunity to dive, might as well do it. Tony and I are going Saturday.
The dives today were amazing! The morning started out poor because of the snowy weather, but it cleared up and was actually sunny in the afternoon. The air temp was still below freezing, but at least it was bright by the time we had our hole cut.
The ice was about 8" thick and clear. While we were opening up the hole, I pulled out a 1" thick slice of ice- it was like old window glass. I could see through it, but it was just a bit wavy from the teeth of the chain saw.
The hole was just above the little wooden platform at the end of the ramp, so it's actually a fair hike from the "water's edge." Duane and I set up the tender and safety lines for the ice class while they did the classroom portion in the warming hut. Then we jumped in!
The first dive was to the Flamingo. The vis was amazing- As we came up to the swimtube, I saw a structure to the south and thought that Tina had added something new. Then I realized it was the Flamingo- I had just never seen it and the swim tube at the same time. From the bow of the Flamingo, I could look up and see the mooring ball, although I'm not sure if it went to the surface or was tied short to avoid the ice.
From below, the ice looked surreal- the light was more like a twillight, just on the verge of monochrome. The white ice and the clear green water above looked like a low, cloud filled sky just before a storm. There were white cracks in the ice that ran off in crazed patterns like some odd form of lightning. In a few places, there were large air pockets that looked either dark or light depending on the ice and snow above it. Because the vis was so good, the quarry looked like it was in some alternate universe- the colors and vis were different, yet the rocks and objects were the same.
After a surface interval in the warming hut, the second dive was to the truck. After poking around it, I was just about to turn the dive when I spotted a paddlefish and pointed it out to Duane. He got pretty close with the camera, although it's mouth was closed. It would have been neat to catch it while it was feeding.
Both dives were just over 30 minutes each. The air temp was below freezing, but the water temp was a balmy 36f. It wasn't distinct, but there was a reverse thermocline where the surface water was colder than the deeper water. I was generally comfortable, although my hands did get cold towards the end of the dive.
Get out there if you can!
The ice was about 8" thick and clear. While we were opening up the hole, I pulled out a 1" thick slice of ice- it was like old window glass. I could see through it, but it was just a bit wavy from the teeth of the chain saw.
The hole was just above the little wooden platform at the end of the ramp, so it's actually a fair hike from the "water's edge." Duane and I set up the tender and safety lines for the ice class while they did the classroom portion in the warming hut. Then we jumped in!
The first dive was to the Flamingo. The vis was amazing- As we came up to the swimtube, I saw a structure to the south and thought that Tina had added something new. Then I realized it was the Flamingo- I had just never seen it and the swim tube at the same time. From the bow of the Flamingo, I could look up and see the mooring ball, although I'm not sure if it went to the surface or was tied short to avoid the ice.
From below, the ice looked surreal- the light was more like a twillight, just on the verge of monochrome. The white ice and the clear green water above looked like a low, cloud filled sky just before a storm. There were white cracks in the ice that ran off in crazed patterns like some odd form of lightning. In a few places, there were large air pockets that looked either dark or light depending on the ice and snow above it. Because the vis was so good, the quarry looked like it was in some alternate universe- the colors and vis were different, yet the rocks and objects were the same.
After a surface interval in the warming hut, the second dive was to the truck. After poking around it, I was just about to turn the dive when I spotted a paddlefish and pointed it out to Duane. He got pretty close with the camera, although it's mouth was closed. It would have been neat to catch it while it was feeding.
Both dives were just over 30 minutes each. The air temp was below freezing, but the water temp was a balmy 36f. It wasn't distinct, but there was a reverse thermocline where the surface water was colder than the deeper water. I was generally comfortable, although my hands did get cold towards the end of the dive.
Get out there if you can!
Thanks for the summary Tony. Sounds like an awesome dive. It's definitely on my "to do" list for sometime in the future.
What do you think the viz was?
What do you think the viz was?
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I'd say the viz was 75+ feet. Awesome!!!
Q
Queen
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I've got a friend who'd dying to do an ice dive, any idea if they'll be open for it again any time soon??
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I talked to Tina yesterday. There's a chance she'll open for ice diving the first weekend of March. Assuming there's ice still.
You have to show an ice diver card or be part of a class to get in.
You have to show an ice diver card or be part of a class to get in.
Q
Queen
Guest
Thanks, I'll pass it along to my friend. She's wanting to sign take an ice diving class (possibly one on one) with an instructor. I don't think our local instuctor is much interested though.ppo2_diver:
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