Just returned from a wonderful weekend at Mill Pond diving both Hole In The Wall and Jackson Blue with dive buddies Gaurav and Jim. We had a great time cave diving and visiting with Edd, Stacy and Gordon. Hole In The Wall was fantastic, with about 40 foot viz for the first could of hundred feet where the catfish were silting up, then cleared up to 80 foot viz. Not sure who these catfish think they are, silting up "my" cave. Some buoyancy training would help.
Our first dive was the Upstream section of Hole In The Wall to Alford’s room, just beyond the T to the Century Tunnel at the 1200 foot mark on the gold line. This was the first time for me in this part of the cave. Just a wonderful dive. Flow was minimal, temperature was 68 to 69 degrees, viz was 80 foot after the 300 foot mark.
Half time entertainment after the first dive was provided by Gordon who offered rides on his tractor around Edd’s back yard. Being a cautious person who avoids dangerous adventures, I chose to watch from the sidelines. You can see pictures from the link below.
Our second dive was the Downstream section of Hole In The Wall to the 1400 foot marker where we called the dive on thirds. Identical conditions to the Upstream section with catfish silting up the first few hundred feet and 40 foot viz, then opening up to about 80 foot of viz. Temperature was 68 to 69 degrees.
Dinner was at family owned Madison’s restaurant in Marianna. I ordered a Newcastle. Viz was excellent (I could see through the beer bottle with no problems) and temperature was 42 degrees. The beer drinking was a team effort with me drinking and Jim driving.
Next morning we made the trip to the Sherriff’s office to sign in for Jackson Blue. The gate to Jackson Blue has a combination now rather than a key, which allows people to phone in rather then drive back with the key.
Jackson Blue was wonderful. Flow was kicking, but not more then what I’m used to for that cave. Viz was unlimited, temperature was 69 degrees. Jim sat this dive out, so G and I teamed up and made the dive. We used stage bottles and swam to the red arrow past the 1600 foot mark, about 300 feet past King’s Bypass jump to the right off the gold line. I think my favorite part of this cave is the cavern zone where the natural light is just visible. I like to turn off my light as soon as I can see the light from the entrance, and take in the beauty of the natural light filling the cavern. Just spectacular.
Can’t wait to return. Some pictures from the surface can be viewed from the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/deanme9/09_March_Mill_Pond#
dean
