Give a little to get a lot, First time at Telford and Jug
Pretty good weekend I must say. A regular cornucopia of cave diving as it were.
As I was gassing up at Amigos, Wayne came out and delivered my brand new freshly charged Q. I thought to myself Friday morning, a computer that I can read easily, and three days of diving in front of me. Life is sweet.
Started out the weekend with the usual dive at Ginnie. I entered the Ear and made my way to the Mud Tunnel. I had done a little “sperimentin” on my Nomad trying to improve my bungee attachment to the tanks. Kind of got it where I like it now. Loops! The unanticipated side effect was the slight shift in trim. With my pool time invested a week earlier, the Mud Tunnel was nice, slow, smooth sailing.
I used to get a headache from to much lung effort at buoyancy control there, but this time I was as fresh on exiting the tunnel as I was on entering. A nice float down the Bone Room line again focusing on the trim and enjoying the way the new ride felt.
How many time have I gone down this line and said to myself I ought to go re-visit some of those jumps I simply continue to pass every time now ? Well, next time up I’ll plan on it. From the Junction Room it was into the Keyhole and Lips bypasses and on out the Eye. Typical Gennie vis and flow, as in the new reduced global warming typical flow.
(Loved the Q!)
As I exited the water at the end of the spring run, Greenwood_60 had arrived to join me for some diving. Jason being more recently introduced to cave diving than I, not quite as familiar with Ginnie, and looking to build some experience, “we” decided he would run a line in through the Ear and tie off on the mainline. I would switch to number 1 and lead the dive at that point. Then we would do a main line dive to an appropriate turn point.
We geared up and began our journey. The tie off went well. The decent into the Ear went well. Then “The Reel from Hell” paid an early Halloween visit. I would like to commend Jason on his determination and focus as he attempted to continue with the “snarling beast”. However, once it appeared the reel was about to win, I presented him with a spool so we could leave the monster guarding the entrance to the cave, continue in with the spool, and enjoy a dive. From there things went swimmingly. We headed up the mainline on past the H400 jump to about 600 where we turned and head back to retrieve the reel and spool.
Completing our safety stops and subsequent return up the spring run, we had a good review of the dive before climbing the steps. Then he asked me the question. “You want to do another one?” I cannot remember the last time I did three cave dives in one day. Maybe the fact that I am 30 years his senior has addled my poor brain. But this new cave diver, so full of enthusiasm, sort of reminded me of myself. How could I say no?
We very carefully reviewed the upcoming dive. Discussing in detail the Park Bench formation and the “jump” at the Junction Room to head down towards the Bone Room. We switched up a bit and I was to lead this dive in, even laying a line in through the Ear. (Wasn’t quite as easy as I recalled, time for more practice I guess). I showed Jason a different technique for getting to the lips that involves getting up high and out of the flow (just like someone else showed me). We again had a very pleasant and enjoyable swim on into the Junction Room, around the Park Bench to the jump. I ran the gap reel across and we headed on in the direction of the Bone Room. Turning at roughly the same distance as the first dive we made our way smoothly back to and out the Ear.
Enjoyed it Jason! :clapper
On Saturday, I headed over to L’ville and React. Attending Jill’s photography presentation, (once we got over the gun shots) I was able to pick up some nice ideas that I look forward to putting into practice in the near future. However, the highlight of the day was yet to come.
I met up with Mark S (A.K.A. Mr. redundant glow stick, and yes he has them!) and we were to take advantage of the boat ride to Telford. This was to be the first trip there for both of us. Much to our pleasure, Bobby who was guiding trips that day had placed lines at the entrance and through the sinks to make the dive more enjoyable. Or was that to lead us away from his secret spots?
Anyway, as I entered, followed by Mark, I thought to myself, “This vis is simply, well, it’s crap.” Turns out the team that entered just ahead of us had an inflator come apart and had to finger walk out, and after a couple hundred feet, the flow delivered clear water again. From that point on, it was “Man what an awesome dive!” I was told Telford constantly changes personalities and man does it. Before the dive, I heard“… sinks … bedding plain … vertical fissures … swiss cheese … columns … arches …” All I can say is the pre-dive chatter did not even begin to do it justice. Maybe it’s because it was our first time in there, but the vertical fissures in the area that I believe is called The Canyons?
All I could think of was driving down a street in Manhattan with huge skyscrapers on either side. So tall they block out the sun. Except in Manhattan, the buildings go all the way to the ground. These massive formations appeared to be simply floating in the water column. Simply beyond words for this Telford first timer.
Mark and I swim a very leisurely pace before turning somewhere around 1500 at a guess. On the way out, I covered my light as I passed back through the second sink. Turning onto my back and staring up at the rays of the sun beaming through from the surface, I was awestruck looking at the foliage in the sun bathed trees and the stark contrast to the cave environment we were currently immersed in.
A nice float back to the landing, break the gear down and back to Bill’s for some of that finger lickin’ REACT BBQ!
As I arrived back at Bill’s, I was quick to discover the event clean up and breakdown was in high gear. Guess that dive took a little longer than I thought. (Did I mention I really like my new computer? I could tell you just how long it was)
Anyway, as I was scurrying to secure a plate of food, none other than the Skasser intercepted me. She delivered a big smile, a heartfelt hug, and some friendly words. But alas, she stood between my sustenance and me so I was off. Met a bunch of great folks, heard some wonderful stories and later headed back to room continually recounting the events of the day.
On Sunday I met up with Sidney, Richard, and FW for my first journey into Jug. The four of us met up at Amigos and the headed down the road to Jug. As soon as we got there, we headed over to take a look at the new cart. What a piece of work! Next time I’m in the area, even if I am not diving, I might be tempted to unlock it and just wheel it around the lot for a bit. Of coarse that would mean getting past the challenge of unlocking it I guess. (might be a funny story to insert here).
Well off we went down the yellow brick road to the Sink of Jug. Geared up and down we went. Not the longest dive. But man does it put some fun in the short ride. Really pretty cave and warm water compared to the 40ish temps in the air. (Thanks Gatordiver for posting about getting off the line a little bit passing through the bedding plain!)
Swam passed a jump to the right on the way in and thought about taking a peek on the way back out. So during the exit, we all took turns heading down this marked jump. I would not encourage any more than a one man team attempt to navigate this passage at a time. I guess I need to work on my technique a bit, because I for one, could not negotiate the first restriction down this line.
Returning to the basin and I was really wishing I had my camera. Note to self: I will not dive this site again on a sunny day without camera in hand. I had read about how photogenic this was and now I need to see it in the viewfinder.
On the way home I had a chance to reflect on the weekend. I got to see some wonderful cave and meet some great folks. But equally as important to me, I was able to pass on just a little of what was passed to me. And a good thing I was, cause I had room to get more passed to me the next day! Cavedivers ROCK!
Also a shout to the cave divers in the next room at the hotel. They put in the new tile floor over at Light Monkey. You Southern boys from up North are sure great to share a beer with. Hope you enjoyed Madison on your way home.
No trips next month, but “COME ON DECEMBER !!!!” Company shut down means a few visits
