Ice Diving at Millbrook

[Tekdiver10]

Hey, I went to my LDS today to do a little christmas shopping and one of the instructors asked me if I wanted to do a little ice diving this winter. I have never heard of any ice diving in Virginia. So I was wondering if you can ice dive at Millbrook Quarry. Does it get cold enough there to even freeze the water enough to dive?

 

[O-ring]

I can't imagine Millbrook freezing.. Anyway, they closed it for the season Thanksgiving weekend. The only times it is open until spring are the "chilly willy" dives which are run through "The" Dive Shop in Fairfax. I think they do 2-3 each winter. You can probably get more info by calling them or checking out www.thediveshop-va.com .

 

[Tekdiver10]

Thanks O-ring, I might be doing some dives at Millbrook this winter, but I need to get my dry suit cert first. I am also hoping to go to Mt.Storm this winter. Maby I will talk to my LDS and find out where they go to ice dive.

 

[Tekdiver10]

O-ring does Lake Rawlings freeze over?

 

[O-ring]

Tekdiver10 once bubbled...
O-ring does Lake Rawlings freeze over?

I don't know of any local place to go ice diving, but there may be some since I tend to not dive much during this time of year.

 

[Tekdiver10]

Thanks O-ring, I guess instead I should do a little skiing over the winter.

 

[MAK52580]

I agree with O-Ring, I do not think that there is anywhere to really ice dive in VA. However, if you were looking to drive 3 hours to Rawlings, then you could always head three hours north, into Pennsylvania and maybe lower upstate NY. There is a good probability that it gets cold enough up there to ice dive.

Then again, if you are willing to go even further, I spend Thanksgiving up around the Finger Lakes and almost ALL the dive shops were advertising ice diving courses and fun dives. I am sure it will take a little research, but if you look northward I would think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Marc

 

[MAK52580]

O-ring,

I just looked on the Dive Shop webpage and noticed that they are having a dive at Millbrook tomorrow. I was wondering if you were going or had been on these previously and knew if there was a good turnout. I have made tentative plans with my girlfriend, but I hope she understands. We will find out later!

I love my buddy to death, but he's not exactly the extreme type and his idea of a good time is not diving in 45 degree water. I was just wondering, I had thought about trying to get out there if it would be worth it.

Marc

 

[Errol Duplessis]

O-ring does Lake Rawlings freeze over?

No, it does not. We have managed this lake for 10 years, and it has never frozen over (not even a small crust). I suspect that is due to the lake being spring fed; there is too much surface and water movement for freezing to occur. Also ground water temp in the winter stays at high 30's to low 40's, not cold enough to freeze over.

 

[cornfed]

I don't know of any local place to go ice diving,

It's a little late now, but you might try Bainbridge (http://www.divebsc.com) next year. That place is so cold you could probably go ice diving in july...