Moulton quarry Oct 29th, 30th weekend

[mike_s]

Anyone heading out to the Moulton Quarry this weekend ? (Oct 29th or the 30th)


Rocketman and I are thinking about going out there Sunday afternoon.


Are they still open for the season?

anyone have any recent temp reports? (above and below the thermocline)

 

[skybird]

I'll be there, that is the last weekend of the season. It is down basically to two temps instead of three. The bottome is still about 54 F don't know for sure about the top, but thinking last week it was about 72 or so

 

[rdharbis1]

If I leave Madison at noon, and go by Dive Sports and get a tank (are they open on Sunday?) will anyone still be there? How long would it take to get there, an hour?
Thinking out loud, I guess, but looks like I could get there about 2 pm. Looks like it is going to be my last chance unless something breaks loose and I get to travel South!
Randy

 

[mike_s]

If I leave Madison at noon, and go by Dive Sports and get a tank (are they open on Sunday?) will anyone still be there? How long would it take to get there, an hour?

Moulton is about 20-30 minutes west of Decatur. Travel from Madison to Decatur
is about 20 minutes, so you could easily get to the quarry within an hour.

Dive Sports isn't open on Sunday. If you wanted to use their tanks, you'd
have to pick them up on Saturday. I think the folks running the quarry rent
tanks, but just to be safe, I can throw in some of my extra tanks. (But of
my extra tanks, 4 are Nitrox and 1 is a Steel 72, but I'm sure that won't
cause any issues).


As for the 54f bottom temp, BRRRRR... I might be just diving shallow
this trip.

 

[mike_s]

well Looks like I'm picking up Rocketman at about 12noon. (on Sunday)

So we should be out there about 1pm or a little before (depending
on if we stop for lunch, or something).

I'll throw in extra tanks for Randy.

see you guys there.

 

[rdharbis1]

Mike,
I cannot make it. My wife's car is still in the shop and my daughter's jeep has a cracked head! Been working on the jeep all afternoon and it is beyond help, at least my help! I have already rented a tank and even bought a hood but I guess it will have to wait until another day! Oh, I cannot use my truck because my wife has to go to work tomorrow and she will have to use the truck! Hope you guys have a great time and maybe I can make the next one.
Randy

 

[skybird]

Randy, Im sorry you won't be able to come to the quarry Sunday.
I was there today, the weather was beautiful. Water a little chilly but was okay once I was in and moving. Of course my purpose today was to try to run the compass course...........and true to form, I kept going to wrong way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told Tony that I have always been directionally challanged. ARGGGGGGGG One day I will get it.

SkyBird ( Nancy)

 

[mike_s]

Wanted to post a quick report on the Moulton Quarry today.

Rocketman and I headed out there for a mid afternoon dive. SKybird
was also there working on some classes, so it was really nice to meet
her also.


The water was nice and chilly. I guess all the warm days are gone.
surface temp was about 68f and bottom temp in the "upper quarry basin"
about 66f at 25 to 35 feet.. We dropped over the edge and into the
thermocline at around 40' where water temps were much chillier and
into the 50's. We didn't hang around there too long to get an accurate
temp reading of the bottom, but folks there said it was in the 50's.
BRRRRRR... According to the people there, the bottom of the deeper
section stays at 50 something or below all year round.

after the dive, air temps were around 67, but dropped to 55f
really quickly within the hour.

Visibility was exceptionally good. At least 30 feet, if not more.
You could lie on the bottom at the section around 20 feet and
see at a "diaganol" the dive flag on the flagpole on shore.
(I'll have to remember that for next time I take my camera
and the wind is blowing will make a cool onderwater pic
of the dive flag).

For those who haven't been following what's going on with
the Moulton Quarry, it's now under operation by a a new group
and I think this is/was their first "full year" there. I will have
to say they were very nice folks. This is the "last" weekend
that they are officially open for the season, but anyone wants
to dive during the winter, they said just to give them a call.

One other interesting thing... lots of people were wearing these
Tilos 1mm closed cell wetsuits in these frigid waters. I was
very surprised. But they all talked about how warm they were.
I think I'm going to have to buy me one of these.

So, overall, a very good trip. I'll definately be back next year.

-mike

 

[RocketMan]

Just wanted to add to Mike's comments on diving at Moulton yesterday. I enjoyed the dive and had a good time. It was great talking with Tony and a pleasure to met skybrid. As Mike said the water was chilly. I was wearing a 5mil with gloves and a hood. Mike didn't have a hood so I think he felt the cold more than I did. Tony really likes his Tilos 1mm closed cell (he was diving with just it on yesterday), so I may have to try one also. When we got out of the water I didn't want to take my wetsuite off since the air temp was around 67F. So Mike and I just hung out in the sun like two cats tring to warm up. Anyway I look forward to my next visit....on warmer days.

 

[skybird]

Adding my little bit about the quarry dive yesterday. It was a pleasure to meet Rocket Man and Mike. I didn't really work on my class much yesterday since it was the last dive of the season, just played. I Did go down below thermocline and it Was cold. I have decided gloves need to be on my list. I wear the 1mm Tilos and really like it. I use one from the dive shop right now, but will be buying one with my money from Uncle Sam when I get the rest of my equipment. Sad about a long dry winter, but really looking forward to spring.