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I'm going to be in the Tallahassee area this weekend and wanted to go visit a different cave. I know about the usual systems in the area, but I don't really want to do a deeper mix dive that day and don't want to set up a guided dive because I'm not sure when I'll be able to dive. So basically, I'm looking for something shallower than 110' and has open access. I've checked out some of the usual web sites and done a search here but can't find the info I'm looking for. Any suggestions?
Madison is 80 miles, JB is 65. Nothing open in Wakulla yet besides the usual. I don't think you need a guide for Emerald. Are you on the list?Quote:
Originally Posted by RN
Thanks. I don't think I can make it to Madison in time for a dive before closing and I live 10 minutes from JB. Emerald requires 5 day planning so that's out now (wish I had thought about this last week!). I'm just looking for something different. I was considering Harvey's but have heard the cave isn't easy to find without someone who already knows where it is also being there to show you.
I read your post with interest as I'll be in Tallahassee Sunday through Wednesday of next week working. I'll have Tuesday free and I made some phone calls today to find out about Jackson Blue's rules and hours. (I'll likely be solo.)
I believe I'll be hitting JB Tuesday and maybe a trip to Vortex just to see that spring and get beyond the locked gate -- which I understand you can do with full cave certification and a briefing.
I'll leave the other sites around Tally for another time.
In a very short time there will be a number of places to dive south of Tallahassee. I just can't make any announcements yet. There will be a meeting in Wakulla next week to discuss the opening of some dive sites. I will make a posting here in the next day or so to announce the particulars for the meeting. Hopefully, people will be able to attend.
-P
Quote:
Originally Posted by RN
I'd dive with you Tuesday, but I'm working. I'd just do a couple dives at JB and forget Vortex. Beyond the grate you're looking at some fairly deep cave. There's also a restriction that may or may not be passable. I heard they were working on opening it back up but not sure if they've completed that project or not. JB, on the other hand, has enough in it to keep you busy for quite some time.Quote:
Originally Posted by WEPIV
Very much looking forward to information on the meeting.Quote:
Originally Posted by PerroneFord
The gets quite pretty beyond the gate IMO, and its not cluttered with handrails, piping and ropelights like on the way to the gate. 1st and 2nd restrictions are easily passable. I didn't attempt the third restriction since it would have knocked me over into deco(118' at that point). The third restriction is passable in backmount, but your belly will be pretty much on the bottom and your tanks quite close to the ceiling. The restriction lasts, apparently, for 230'ish, so you'll have to either go forward until you hit the room afterwards or back out in an emergency - no room to turn around.Quote:
Originally Posted by RN
NeatO cave though. I especially liked the 2nd restriction :)
What meeting and were is it?Quote:
Originally Posted by PerroneFord
Have a little patience, we are setting up a point of contact and then the announcement will be made. But I can tell you the meeting will be on Monday evening, Nov. 5, in Wakulla.Quote:
Originally Posted by Caver95
I realize Church Sink is on private property, but I've read in a few different places that the owners don't mind divers. I've called the church but the pastor is out of town until next week. Has anyone out there been in Church, and did you seek permission or just dive it?
Church is not on the Church property, but next to it. Think of it as a tighter, siltier Wayne's World, and there you go. There is a 40-50' drop to get into the sink, the banks are at better than a 45 degree angle. Bring a rope.Quote:
Originally Posted by RN
Thanks OFG. I didn't realize that. I'll drive by and check it out.
anything you can share with us about the meeting?
About 20 people attended, we discussed plans to meet again, in a month's time. We discussed one site that the club has negotiated use of, we discussed a few basic plans for the types of diving the club would try to promote. Future meetings will be announced earlier and will contain maps and driving directions.Quote:
Originally Posted by billb
Club dues were set at $25 annually, in large part to offset the costs of securing diving on private property. The currently open, negotiated site costs $600 annually which was paid by the officers. A treasurers report was given to all attendees so all could see how the money is being spent.
A webpage is being secured in the next week to disseminate information. An internet domain has been secured. A paypal account is being secured to make dues payment easier for all parties. An email will be drafted to all attendees to alert them of the upcoming activities.
The webpage will contain contact info, information on the sites, there might be a small forum where people can arrange dive buddies, and gain current site info. Much of this is in flux at the moment as we get things up to speed.
The meeting concluded with a presentation by Gregg Stanton and Tamara Thomsen on recent work in the Bahamas on cave biology and microbiology.
Things seemed to go well, and it looks promising. There seemed to be a good mix of cave and open water divers, there were 3-4 instructors in the group, and there are some deals in the works to give discounts to members on certain types of instruction.
It's a good start.
(more info will be forthcoming)
Thanks for the update, looking forward to joining up with this club in order to dive some of the Tallahassee sites. :P
I'm glad (as a visiting Gator and all) that I was up here in the Tally area and able to make this meeting. I had a great time...thanks!
I also got a dive in (my first) at Jackson Blue today and enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to coming back.
Thank you for coming. We enjoying having you. Seemed like a lot of really nice folks there.