We had three teams of two yesterday in Madison yesterday, and covered MANY thousands of feet so this report, I think, will be very accurate.
A-team - Checked out the crossunder entrance under the cavern. Lots of silt but then there always is in that area. T he entrance to the downstream area is workable but tight. Lots of silt buildup in the entrance. Moving on, we swam to what used to be the well that went into the Century tunnel. Looks like some "movement" has taken place in that area since I was there last, maybe a year ago. When I say "movement" I'm referring to the depression over the entrance to the well that used to go down into the Century tunnel. The cave in area looks different ( whatever that means ) Also it appears that someone has moved a rock or two because you can now look down into what was once the well that entered the Century tunnel. You can't see very far, maybe 3-4 feet, but once again, it wasn't that way on my last visit. Also there is a new line back there.
Moving on to the Godzilla circuit: Nothing out of the ordinary but lots of "dust" on all the rocks. It would appear that it has not been heavily traveled this summer. Godzilla seems to have some kids or some visitors because there's a least three creatures, maybe more, in the Godzilla room. There's also a Godzilla imposter out on the main line, along with a lot of other crap. So much for just two dorfs and nothing else!
Vis in all three areas we visited was extremely clear ( until we got there! )
B- team - Main line to the Roto rooter tunnel and some short exploration back in that area. T hose guys were in Optimas so they stayed out of the small areas. Once again perfect vis. Actually "sparkling" vis past the half hitch.
C-team - Big push into the Courtyard up to the old depth gauge ( around 3100 feet or so ) Lots of survey going on in that area. On the return, they jumped down into the Badlands to check for silt buildup in that passage. When I did the circuit back in 1993, the silt mounds went almost to the ceiling so that was the purpose of the visit. The passage looked good for the several hundred feet that was visited. Once again, there's survey going on in this area. Encountered several markers to that effect. Absolutely perfect vis thruout this area.
One small problem we need some help with. On the return thru Potters one of the Optima guys lost a second stage off of his bailout bottle. Don't ask how it happened. It just happened! It's a new Dive Rite and once the silt clears, I'm sure it will be laying right in the middle of the passage! If anybody finds it, you can contact me or leave it at the CCDS.
There you have it, we covered a considerable distance yesterday and it was all good. One last point to mention, for you "out of towners" Martz Sink looks awful from the surface but it's just from the local rain runoff. we hit clear water in less than 20 feet. Steps going into Martz are getting old but still very workable. The construction to the main spring is still on-going but it looks like it's getting very close to completion.
"Skeeters" were bad but not terrible. Bring bug spray! Park was empty yesterday. Two swimmers all day and one dive team coming in as we left. It doesn't get any better!
