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Well, I've done the cavern at Orange Grove Sink a couple of times and am planning on hitting the cavern at Peacock I and possibly Little River this weekend. Already dove Jug Hole and Troy, so am looking for my next dive in the area.
How are Madison Blue Springs and Telford for cavern diving? Are there any good maps of the cavern zones you can point me to?
Many thanks in advance,
Dave
I'm a big fan of Madison Blue. I played around in the cavern after the couple of cave dives that I have done there. There was a lot of area to see, but there was a lot of silt on the floor so make sure you watch your technique. There is an old decompression bell there in the cavern as well.
umm others might not agree but Telford and Madison are 2 places that you should stay away from if only cavern certified. Telford goes into cave very quickly and theres not much cavern area. I dont know what to think about Madison as a cavern dive. Maybe just inside the bigger enterance you might have a nice little cavern dive but you should stay away from going through the rabbit hole.
Not to sound like a stick in the mud. But, their is not much of a cavern zone at Telford. It very quickly turns to a cave. If you live in Miami and are only cavern diving, I wouldn't drive all the way up just to go to Telford.
Me neither.Quote:
Originally Posted by nic160
madison's cavern is *very* nice. the rock is quite soft, though, so i'll second the note for your best effort. hope you have some great dives! we also liked watching the folks jump off the little pier over us while we were on our stop.
Telford:
The cavern is about 25 to 30 feet, not much light in the cavern zone, flow is usually high, and it’s a sandy mucky bottom. A cavern dive would be short and not much fun.
Madison:
Is a large nice cavern, there are two entries (the rabbit hole and the main cavern). There is a permanent line from the rabbit hole to the main cavern entrance. When I did my cavern class the instructor was going to take us to Madison but it closed because of a Hurricane. I recommend that you tie off on the log enter through the rabbit hole (make you second tie and head on in, you will see the line on the right. The rabbit hole is all rock so you don’t have to worry about silt however at about the start of the line there is some thick silt so ride high. Have fun and dive safe.
I have never dove at Telford, but as far as Madison Blue, sweet cavern dive. As others have said, watch your technique. Also watch which corner that you poke around, as it is easy to round a corner and get out of the cavern zone in there.
billy.....i say we dive madison this saturday :-DQuote:
Originally Posted by billyf
Don't all agencies say no restrictions at cavern or intro level?Quote:
Originally Posted by billyf
I do believe the NACD now allows minor restrictions at the intro level.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sludge
That we did ... :-DQuote:
Originally Posted by BabyDuck
I still think Madison is one of the best places to cavern dive ... But that's just me...
Jean
If the outflow coming out of the large entrance of Madison Blue Spring isn't strong and doesn't beat you to death going in, you'll leave the cavern zone as soon as you make the first left turn. The same pretty much applies to Little River Spring.
If you're strictly into cavern diving at this stage of your training, you'd be happier and safer in places such as Blue Grotto, Paradise Spring, and Ginnie Spring cavern.
Peacock has a nice cavern also.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainSpeleo
Did those before I got cavern certified and have little interest to return, especially with the prices they charge. Buford Sink and Hudson Grotto are more my speed right now, but since we're staying in Mayo for the NSS-CDS seminar they're a little too far. I've pretty much settled on a return to Troy, then try Madison, Little River and Peacock I. We're scheduled to take Intro/App in July, so our options won't be so limited for very much longer.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainSpeleo
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and cautions!
Dave
Devil's Den in the Williston area is pretty cool too, as a cavern dive-!Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainSpeleo
J.
I don't believe the rabbit hole would be recommended for cavern level or really even Intro., as only minor restrictions are allowed at the Intro. level, which means that 2 divers can swim side by side. On the other hand, the large entrance would seem to make for a great cavern dive! Maybe this another "rule" that if followed would serve to help protect the caves.
Actually, if two divers can swim side-by-side, it's not a restriction. A minor restriction means you can only go through single file, whereas a major restriction means at least a partial gear removal is required. This makes the Rabbit Hole at Madison Blue a minor restriction.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
These were the definitions as per the NSS-CDS when I got certified in the mid '90s.
Russell
ditto for NACD, at least based on my memory of this past weekend talking with Jeff Bauer (instructor and prez) when he was taking the intro to cave class through the rabbit hole. He was kind enough to let me tag along.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sludge
-skip
According to the NACD Cavern/Cave Diver Work Book, cavern divers are not allowed to pass through major or minor restrictions. I was obviously incorrect re: intro. level divers, who are allowed minor, but not major restrictions.
Depends on what kinda restriction. Yes and no Yes to minor restrictions ok in Intro but no restrictions is Cavern. I would cosider the rabbit hole a minor restriction. Major restrictions I feel would be like in cow and the peanut restriction and so on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sludge
With all due respect, Kevin, it's not a matter of opinion. It's clearly defined. If you don't have to remove any gear to get through it, it's a minor restriction.
Being as claustrophobic as I am, I consider the second restriction at Cow a major ordeal, but it's still just a minor restriction.