This is the time for solo ice divin!

[porgyhunter]

Don;t know about other parts of New England, but here in south eastern Mass is a good time for easy ice dives. The ponds have melted enough to allow a shore entrance, eliminating the tiresome cutting process. Suit up, tether yourself, and treat yourself to super visability, and the experience of beiing under ice. Fun stuff

 

[Mr.X]

Don;t know about other parts of New England, but here in south eastern Mass is a good time for easy ice dives. The ponds have melted enough to allow a shore entrance, eliminating the tiresome cutting process. Suit up, tether yourself, and treat yourself to super visability, and the experience of beiing under ice. Fun stuff

Technically there's a ceiling above, solo tether? What are you advocating aside from good viz? My take - take along a buddy and have someone monitor the tether line.

X

 

[lowviz]

Don;t know about other parts of New England, but here in south eastern Mass is a good time for easy ice dives. The ponds have melted enough to allow a shore entrance, eliminating the tiresome cutting process. Suit up, tether yourself, and treat yourself to super visability, and the experience of beiing under ice. Fun stuff

I'm guessing that your OP is part truth and part troll.

Just got back from being under 2 feet of ice in the "Quite Corner" of Connecticut. I totally get the attraction. Something that you just have to do, hard to explain the experience. Invert, go buoyant and jam yourself against the smooth clear ice roof. Use ice awls to move around. The patterns passing your mask are mind blowing.

We dove teams with layers of backup for the primary divers. Used floating polypropylene line to minimize bottom entanglements. Losing a mask or tearing a suit at these temps are a serious issues.

It is an overhead environment. I wouldn't tie a rope to myself and enter a cave, what's the diff?

Know the risks, and get proper training for your first go at it. But do give it a try.

 

[fdog]

I'm guessing that your OP is part truth and part troll.

<snip>

Agreed. I'm hoping it's sarcasm, which is always hard to read in a written post.

I'd never dive under ice via the gap between shore and the frozen ice pack, lest the wind come up and deprive me of my exit.

All the best, James

 

[augk]

Porgy What ponds are you diving? Any in Plymouth? There are so many here wondering if anyone dives them? I did see a group once at Long Pond.

 

[porgyhunter]

Augk....I have looked at doing some ponds in plymouth, your right tere are tons. I will look on the state map site at the topography of the ponds,and their clearity,before diving them. Right now I am checking out the Kettle ponds around Eastham,and Truro. Spring is Great because no boats will run you over. I'll take the known danger ICE over the unknown danger Idiots in boats anytime. One pond I'am dying /no pun/ to try is Garrett pond in Barnstable. Vis evidently is great and topog looks neat, I scouted it and the public entrance is a steep trail to the water. No problem getting down but you know the reverse trip. PM me mabe we could do this one!