Maybe, I just don't see where all the resistance to recreation comes from. Were the fatalities of yore so tramatic that the default is now closed until proven otherwise?Originally Posted by bgillespie82
Wakulla, Sally Ward, etc.
These systems should be opened for qualified divers on a purely recreational basis. I can't imagine the relatively few number of recreational dives done in those systems would interfere with the 144th dye trace which may some day be conducted by the WKPP.
I would be willing to pay the cost of an annual park pass to dive these caves.
The Emerald Panel would have been a great vehicle for moving forward with additional access to other caves in the WKP area. Kelly- others- correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's fair to say that nothing has been done by the panel toward gaining access to Sally Ward or any of the others. There was a discussion to occur a year after Emerald opened as to the suitability of DPVs within the system. Where are you guys with that?
I still feel strongly that Sally Ward- why not Wakulla also- may still be opened for recreational, "non-scientific" diving. It will take a dedicated effort over a period of several years and apparently by those not a part of the status quo.
In the meantime, I have no intention of permitting the Gang of 97 dictate where I dive.
Johnny
I no longer sit on the panel since I am CDS board emeritus,but both these things were discussed in the year period after the opening of Emerald. At that time Wakulla got a new park manager,and wanted an opportunity to learn things,so DPVs were deferred,and so was Sally Ward,although the park biologist was opposed to access at Sally Ward. Access to Clearcut was put forward,and stands a good chance,but the cave diving community will need to build some steps there like it did at Emerald.
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
I'm in!
Mat and Mr Big, I ponied up because I support the work you all are doing to open the caves to qualified divers (not to belittle the work that Johnny and others have done). As an out of stater, I appreciate opportunities to dive new caves.
Forrest, did you really see Tex Chalkey? Damn, I'd love to have met him.
Cheers,
Barbara
I talked to him on the phone yesterday, and he's hoping to make the CDF social in July.
Whoever said money can't buy love never bought a puppy.
I designed the steps at Emerald and more than willing to do it again for ClearCut Sink and Sally Ward. I could have the 4 tread steps designed and BUILT for Sall Ward by Monday morning....LMAO. I will even buy the material.
If all it takes is some steps at clearcut then let me know and the WCDC will help. Lets get it rolling
Since parts of ClearCut get deep quickly, I suspect, the same requirements would be imposed that exist for Emerald, i.e. normoxic trimix certification, regardless of whether trimix is used on the dive, or not. ClearCut, would not require a very extensive staircase compared to Emerald.
Last edited by OutlawCaver; 06-07-2009 at 12:52 AM. Reason: spellin and gramma
no but the trail to it needs some work.
Sally Ward
Give me a yell when we are ready to begin work on Sally Ward. I suspect we have plenty of qualified divers to respond to whatever objection a state biologist may have to diving this cave- particularly considering that traffic volume will not be that high.
The year must have come and gone for consideration of DPVs at Emerald- anybody have information on this?
And I will continue to mention the Holy of Holies- Wakulla. Except for the glass bottom tourist traffic (winter dive times only?) and the desire of a few to keep that site private (who cares), there's no reason access provisions cannot be worked out with the State Park system for Wakulla as well.
We will never gain access to these private systems if we don't pursue access to them.
Johnny
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