Pearse Resurgence, New Zealand

[DrHarry]

http://www.wetmules.com/home/mules-i...dition2012news

The Wet Mules have just completed the 2012 expedition to the Pearse River Resurgence near Mt Arthur in the South Island of New Zealand. The six Mules (David Bardi, Craig Challen, John Dalla-Zuanna, Richard “Harry” Harris, Ken Smith and Sandy Varin), were accompanied by diving physician and support Dr Karen Richardson for the 17 day trip.

Both primary objectives of the trip were accomplished. With the assistance of Nelson Speleological Group’s Andrew Smith and Dawn Wood, dye tracing from the Spillway in Nettlebed Cave again confirmed the connection between the two sites. Unfortunately, the dye appeared to be coming from the main passage deeper than 120m, so any hopes of making a shallow connection were lost.

Hence attention shifted back to pushing the deep section of the cave, and once the four habitats were installed at 7, 16, 28 and 38m, and gas was staged in the cave, build-up dives commenced.

On Thursday 12th January Dave and Sandy dived to 180m and completed an extraordinary 7 hour all in-water decompression.

The following day Richard Harris pushed past the end of Craig’s 2011 line at 194m, and laid 70m of line in large passage to a maximum depth of 207m. A total run time of 10½ hours was spent in comfort thanks to the habitats and the surface supplied suit-heating systems.

After two days of rain the resurgence flooded, delaying diving for a day. The final push dive by Craig Challen began on Sunday 15th January as the water levels subsided. Tying off to the end of Harry’s line, he scootered on a short distance only to meet another steep descent. Craig made a final tie off at 221m and returned to the surface after a total dive time of 17 hours. The passage continues beyond, heading deeper.

Ken, JDZ and Craig made tape measure surveys of several areas including the Nightmare Crescent and Big Room area at 120m.

[JerseyJersey]

wow!

[jcook]

Oh my god, that's amazing! I hope to see a video soon.

[speleocrone]

Yeah, awesome stuff. Truly incredible.

[FW]

Great job mates!

[sskasser]

Congratulations! Nicely done

[Jay]

Yikes! 221m!

Great work!

[TJDiver]

"Wow" is right...that's incredible work!

[speleocrone]

And don't forget guys, the water temperature is 6 to 7 C (43F to 45 F).

[sskasser]

Nice article: http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/n...epths-in-caves

Australian divers reach record depths in caves



HELEN MURDOCH


Last updated 13:00 20/01/2012

Supplied
IN THE DEEP: Australian diver David Bardi at the 38-metre "habitat" in the Pearse River resurgence.




A group of Australian divers has broken yet another cave diving record in the depths of the Pearse River resurgence and revealed the underwater cave system is linked to Mt Arthur's Nettlebed Cave system.

The group returned from the remote Motueka Valley river head this week after spending a fortnight exploring the intricate underwater cave system.

Diver and explorer Craig Challen pushed the human limit, reaching 221m, breaking the 194m record he set in the river cave last January and setting an Australasian record.

The Western Australian vet said delving to a dark depth felt like "a long way from home".
The 17-hour dive saw him stop four times at underwater "habitats" which were filled with trapped air. They provided a base for divers to rest and decompress before continuing their return to the surface.

Mr Challen said diving into the uncharted cave at that depth was like "dipping your toe in the unknown".

It was the third time the six-member team had returned to explore the Pearse.

Mr Challen said the expedition was as much about exploration as endurance.
"As far as exploration goes, this is the No1 site in the world."

Team leader Adelaide's Dr Richard Harris said marker dye dropped by Nelson cavers in the Nettlebed system was seen by divers below 200m and indicated the system was more than 1000m long. However, the connection could be proved only when it was travelled and charted.

It was the third time the group had explored the system in the last three years. Mr Challen said at the end of each trip the group's consensus was that they did not want to return.

"Then after a week or so we remember the good bits. And if we don't come back someone else will."

He said the cave continued its plunge after 221m. But even with the help of tonnes of technical gear, heated suits and battery-powered underwater scooters the chances of going much deeper were diminishing.

"When you get to over 200m you are working outside human physical limits." Fairfax NZ