Just got back from diving the Offsets today, and I wanted to post some what's happening...
The Visibility was great. The Main Basin had vis upwards of 20', and the cavern section had vis about as far as your light could penetrate. It really got lit up with my new 21W HID!
This trip was with my Instructor, and a fellow DMC. We were mapping one of the Cavern sections near the ladder. We got some pretty good measurements, and we should be able to put together a pretty coherent map. This section is really interesting, and there is a lot to see. The mesh Ore locker had a bunch of juvenile Bass swimming around in it. Phil- I found out the side passage we swam under last time was only a swim through. It comes out back into the main basin after only about 30'. After we put the map together, I'll find some way to post it here.
We got to the gate, and the former Caretaker Ken was at the gate in front of us, and we found out that he is leaving, and was in the process of moving all his stuff out of his trailer. I didn't want to get into his business, so I didn't ask more. He was a cool guy, and I hope he's moving on to better pastures.
The hard freezes this winter were hard on the offsets. The passage to the little pool has collapsed even more, and I'm not sure the status of the cave entrances. This was my first time seeing this part, so I can't say how much worse it got...
The Cool Room on the far side of the basin from the docks has also caved in. A group of us had BBQ there last October when we did a cleanup dive. The big room had a pretty major roof collapse, and it is now about half the size it used to be. The hole and the lookout are still there, but there is a ledge on the ceiling of the lookout which accumulates a lot of beer cans that looks like it is about to go. Its a shame because this was a really cool spot.
More to come when I get the map...
Tom
The Visibility was great. The Main Basin had vis upwards of 20', and the cavern section had vis about as far as your light could penetrate. It really got lit up with my new 21W HID!
This trip was with my Instructor, and a fellow DMC. We were mapping one of the Cavern sections near the ladder. We got some pretty good measurements, and we should be able to put together a pretty coherent map. This section is really interesting, and there is a lot to see. The mesh Ore locker had a bunch of juvenile Bass swimming around in it. Phil- I found out the side passage we swam under last time was only a swim through. It comes out back into the main basin after only about 30'. After we put the map together, I'll find some way to post it here.
We got to the gate, and the former Caretaker Ken was at the gate in front of us, and we found out that he is leaving, and was in the process of moving all his stuff out of his trailer. I didn't want to get into his business, so I didn't ask more. He was a cool guy, and I hope he's moving on to better pastures.
The hard freezes this winter were hard on the offsets. The passage to the little pool has collapsed even more, and I'm not sure the status of the cave entrances. This was my first time seeing this part, so I can't say how much worse it got...
The Cool Room on the far side of the basin from the docks has also caved in. A group of us had BBQ there last October when we did a cleanup dive. The big room had a pretty major roof collapse, and it is now about half the size it used to be. The hole and the lookout are still there, but there is a ledge on the ceiling of the lookout which accumulates a lot of beer cans that looks like it is about to go. Its a shame because this was a really cool spot.
More to come when I get the map...
Tom
