I am curious how many times people have canceled or postponed trips to North Florida for cave diving or the last 6 months sense the caves have been closed so much off and on.
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I am curious how many times people have canceled or postponed trips to North Florida for cave diving or the last 6 months sense the caves have been closed so much off and on.
There's always some caves open.
Ginnie rarely ever closes. Jackson blue is same afaik.
This year is exceptional in terms of closures :(
This includes locals who canceled a day or weekend trip, as well.
I am asking specific to high springs/live oak area
I came up didnt like what the conditions were and spent the rest of the week on the mill pond.
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Having caves blown in September is unusual,but in reality this is a normal year,the expectional years were the periods of time that everything was open because of a prolonged drought. So many people have come into cave diving recently,and are used to diving anywhere,anytime,but that is highly unusual.Quote:
Originally Posted by patpicos
Absolutely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop
I have not cancelled any trips. I just head to Ginnie or Manatee is others are blown. Although I dot really count mine as trips.
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I have not canceled a trip this year, and don't plan on it for the rest of the year. There is almost always something open. I'll just go dive what is open.
My buddy and I rescheduled from Labor Day Weekend to early October.
Thanks for all the feedback thus far, it's greatly appreciated!
I hate the flooding and lack of river diving. The worst part is it's a convenient excuse by the wife to get me to work around the house...sometimes we have to reschedule and fit in bees or trips to the grocery store instead of diving all day.
Can't argue with the honey due list,but I am thankful for the flooding. Not only does it help to "heal" the caves from incidental contact,but it brings in organic material that helps to feed the troglobitic species. Flooding is such an important part of the health of the springs,just like fire is important to the health of forests.Quote:
Originally Posted by mdax
I am definitely glad to see water levels up again at the sites.... It's good to see the aquifer becoming recharged and healthier.
There's no choice on the poll for: "No, I haven't cancelled."
Tracy and I have done two-week trips on two occasions when Peacock, Cow, Madison, Telford, Little River, etc. were closed due to flooding. We stayed at Dive Outpost as always, with a two or three day side trip to Marianna. We dove Ginnie, Manatee, Jug, Jackson Blue, Hole in the Wall, and Twin. We did a bit more driving and a bit less diving than usual, but we had successful trips with plenty of cave diving both times.
Mike
I am more trying to get a count for canceled trips... I appreciate the feedback though
I haven't cancelled any trips due to the closures, but have changed where I was diving. I've tried to schedule dives at Madison four times this year, but have ended up at another system. Like it's been said above--there's always someplace open. I did spend the majority of one trip at Merritt's Mill Pond instead of half there and half in the High Springs/Luraville area.
Thanks Alasdair I appreciate the feedback! :)
I cancelled two weekend trips, due to conditions/ flooding. I looked into alternatives like jb or high springs but stayed home and did other things that had to be done around the house.
I was going to say something along the lines of, no choice for not canceling (then I saw the response that there was no interest in that LOL). I'm still driving (or riding) five hours each way just about every weekend - I don't know what that says about me ;-)
Hello Marissa and actually this spring in the first high water we were planning a trip that when we got there most systems were blown.
We actually went and visited them anyway from the surface anyway it was actually awesome.
My son and I had a incredible time at Peacock we could just get back the drive the last puddle was not to bad.
I understand the floods recharge and help restore the caves so I to am thankful for them.
I choose not to cancel but rather explore the caves that do not blow.
So actually I enjoy when things force some changes it keeps it fresh.
Would I go to JB sure but Manatee, Jug pretty safe bets.
I am excited to get down and see what newness the floods have brought us.
JCG
We canceled two trips, and relocated one to Marianna.
With my funds for diving sooooo limited I just have not even tried to schedule a trip. Even with Ginnie available the cost has made even this not an option.
Manatee is open and a state park so entry is closer to free.Quote:
Originally Posted by curtschu
My problem with Manatee is the artificially imposed capacity limit. I'm not interested in getting there and finding out I'm SOL for the day. I'm usually only looking at Manatee when Peacock, Little River, and Madison are flooded. I imagine many other divers are also looking at Manatee then as well, making it that much more likely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulmal
That and the no scooter problem, both I don't have one and Manatee needs one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenwood_60
I've done some great dives in Manatee without a scooter, and it's best when the river is high and other places are flooded. That being said, I'd really like to scooter Manatee as well. :)
Unfortunately the caves have been closed off and on sense march so jug has not been an option but it will be open again soon!
I was speaking to one of our favorite dive shops located in the North Florida Cave Area. His shop is located at one of our favorite sites. He told me that they have lost 6 months of income this year due to the fact that their spring had been closed due to the flooding.
We always get our tanks filled there in order to support his shop. Great to dive in those caves and be able to get in your truck and get another 2 fills within minutes. He also carries acve equipment in case you forget somting or need a quick repair.
The purpose of this post is to ask all of you to support these local shops so they can continue to be avilable to all of us. I suggested a tip jar for them so that they can see that we do appreciate the fact that they are there for us 7 days a week.
When the cave opens I will be diving it and I will have a tip jar placed on his counter.
I know almost all of you know who this is. I am not going to mention this gentleman by name but there are others who have suffered this past summer. Safe Diving to all of you and thanks for reading this post.
The one time I remember postponing was when the water was inside the bath house at Ginnie....