IRAP Administrator
08-03-2007, 09:44 PM
Jump into the downstream end of the wormhole and I lead in (~2600 psi, 30min). Buddy had been in here a few times several years ago and we had discussed what to expect from the cave.
After short while the line is broken and I repair (~2400 psi). (I tied a loop at the end of the spool I used to re-attach the clip etc., but the loop was only an inch or so across.) Come to a T, after a rock tunnel and drop of a few feet. There is an arrow, facing down, so I point it out. Come to another T, mark our exit with one of my clips, and take the left again. Come to YET ANOTHER T, mark it, and follow the arrow pointing left. After a short while we pop out at the place where I had repaired the line (2000 psi).
Head back in (left). Again, take a left at first T, but this time a right at the second T. The passage gets small, and everything after the drop is clay and silt anyway, so this is getting messy. From our discussion before the dive Buddy said that the second T should be the circuit that heads back up to the Hill 400 line, so I am confused when this line ends, tied off on a rock.. Maybe this is another spot where the line was broken and not quite repaired?
Even though the passage ahead looks pretty untouched, I tie in my jump reel. (I didn't tie a large enough loop in the end of my spool after repairing the line earlier, so I actually knot my spool into the existing line.) Move ahead, the passage continues a short while, looks like it may round a corner and then it ends. It is hard to turn around without banging the walls, which are practically untouched, let alone disturbing the (also untouched) silt piles. Buddy is behind me signaling us to turn (no kidding). The vis is blown now - I can see a foot or two in front of me, I am reeling my spool back in.. this thing sucks I think - I need to toss it and get something better - the clip is the problem really - hard to manage. I get to the point where I tied in. I am trying to untie the knot, but I have a nasty silt cloud catching up to me and won't be able to see in a min so I cut my reel loose. As I do the silt cloud envelops me, and I can barely see the dull glow of my own light. Since there is no longer a loop on the end I don't want to attach the spool to my D-ring since the line will just freely float off. Also, the line I am now on is limp - part of the rock it was tied to crumbled. With light, spool, and line in my right hand I use my left to pull the line through my hand.. Buddy is waiting for me and now heads out. Lots of silt stirred up - at one point I can't even see my light. Pop through a low spot, and the vis clears a bit - I see his light's glow a few feet away and head over to him. I am at my turn pressure, and we need to exit the way we came (wanted to do the circuit) - let's go before that nasty mess catches up with us again!
After short while the line is broken and I repair (~2400 psi). (I tied a loop at the end of the spool I used to re-attach the clip etc., but the loop was only an inch or so across.) Come to a T, after a rock tunnel and drop of a few feet. There is an arrow, facing down, so I point it out. Come to another T, mark our exit with one of my clips, and take the left again. Come to YET ANOTHER T, mark it, and follow the arrow pointing left. After a short while we pop out at the place where I had repaired the line (2000 psi).
Head back in (left). Again, take a left at first T, but this time a right at the second T. The passage gets small, and everything after the drop is clay and silt anyway, so this is getting messy. From our discussion before the dive Buddy said that the second T should be the circuit that heads back up to the Hill 400 line, so I am confused when this line ends, tied off on a rock.. Maybe this is another spot where the line was broken and not quite repaired?
Even though the passage ahead looks pretty untouched, I tie in my jump reel. (I didn't tie a large enough loop in the end of my spool after repairing the line earlier, so I actually knot my spool into the existing line.) Move ahead, the passage continues a short while, looks like it may round a corner and then it ends. It is hard to turn around without banging the walls, which are practically untouched, let alone disturbing the (also untouched) silt piles. Buddy is behind me signaling us to turn (no kidding). The vis is blown now - I can see a foot or two in front of me, I am reeling my spool back in.. this thing sucks I think - I need to toss it and get something better - the clip is the problem really - hard to manage. I get to the point where I tied in. I am trying to untie the knot, but I have a nasty silt cloud catching up to me and won't be able to see in a min so I cut my reel loose. As I do the silt cloud envelops me, and I can barely see the dull glow of my own light. Since there is no longer a loop on the end I don't want to attach the spool to my D-ring since the line will just freely float off. Also, the line I am now on is limp - part of the rock it was tied to crumbled. With light, spool, and line in my right hand I use my left to pull the line through my hand.. Buddy is waiting for me and now heads out. Lots of silt stirred up - at one point I can't even see my light. Pop through a low spot, and the vis clears a bit - I see his light's glow a few feet away and head over to him. I am at my turn pressure, and we need to exit the way we came (wanted to do the circuit) - let's go before that nasty mess catches up with us again!