National Forest Cave Closures

[Squirrel Girl]

Remember, completely submerged caves wouldn't have bats (photo aside), but a sumped cave very well could.

So, does anyone want to approach the NFS with the potential need for this clarification? Should I contact the NSS people dealing with WNS? Or is it better to let sleeping dogs lie?

[FW]

I recall a time when you could park at the top of the sink at Little Dismal, suit up, and make a dive into one of the most beautiful caves I have ever seen. No signs, no walkways, no DIR.

Yep, those were the good ol days! I have dived Little Dismal as well.

[phreaticus]

Yeah...when the entrance wasn't filled in!
Beautiful cave, some of the clearest water I've ever seen....

[dogwatch]

One of my all time favorites as well.

I thought that toward the end of diving there that the water was getting less blue and more greenish. I wondered if the rapid development of South Tallahassee back then was starting to impact the forest sinks.

[Guy Bryant]

Little Dismal was one of my favorite dives of all time. Large white walled rooms and a fun beautiful pit to drop. It used to be a regular dive site for myself, Court Smith, Lee Sams and others in the early 70's. It was so easy to dive, just drive right up to it, suit up and walk into the water. Sure wish it was open to diving again.

[OutlawCaver]

Maybe, after the looming nuclear holocost with Iran and North Korea, and nothing but cockroaches, Cher and me are still alive, I will dive Little Dismal once again. Of course, I will have to off gas from my previous dive at Sally Ward 1st. Or 200 years in the future when everyone will be making only virtual cave dives since their legs and arms will have atrophied since birth due to a life of reality shows and video games.

[FW]

Maybe, after the looming nuclear holocost with Iran and North Korea, and nothing but cockroaches, Cher and me are still alive, I will dive Little Dismal once again. Of course, I will have to off gas from my previous dive at Sally Ward 1st.

You won't even need a light, with all the Cerenkov radiation

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I thought that toward the end of diving there that the water was getting less blue and more greenish. I wondered if the rapid development of South Tallahassee back then was starting to impact the forest sinks.

I took the trail sometime last year and the water was incredibly blue. Which was strange considering most of the other Leon Sinks were incredibly tannic. While my experience at Little Dismal is limited, the way I understand it, is that the water clarity and composition varies quite a bit. Its often completely tannic.

If its anything like everything else around here... you can count on it not being consistant.

[FW]

I recall a dive in Little Dismal that was ... well... dismal. I think it was shortly after a flood, or something.

[dogwatch]

I recall a dive in Little Dismal that was ... well... dismal. I think it was shortly after a flood, or something.

200+ ' for 40 or 50 min on air tables, in a wet suit, made for some long dismal nights in the basin for sure.....