What the big deal?

[LiteHedded]

Thanks for all the replies and common sense. I was sort of just having fun, thinking I would get a rise out of some people. But I got lots of sensible answers. Cool.

So, since I haven't dove there, can you all give me a few dives plans to consider for a first dive. I won't have the proper gas to go below 190 and I'm thinking of leaving the scooter in the truck. How's the flow in this system? Does it fluctuate with rain or other conditions?

(BTW, I do have the proper training, experience, and equipment for this dive. I do this level of diving here in Missouri, only the vis is a lot less and the water is much colder - deco sucks in 50 degrees).

you'll be limited to the ballroom at that depth. but there's certainly plenty to see in that big ass room

[Martin Robson]

Eagle's Nest is a lovely dive, both upstram and downstream. I would agree with others here that if you are trained, have the kit and have some experience then there is no reason for it to be a difficult or risky dive.
As for being the 'Everest'...I don't think so. Lots of cave a lot deeper, with much longer penetrations possible and far more technically demanding. If you like deep and/or long then hop over to see us and dive with us in France!
Doesn't take anything away from the Nest though..still a super dive.

[chilldive]

Because you are limited to 190', are you advanced trimix trained and do you have a lot of deep dives under your belt? Unless you stay in the entrance room you need advanced trimix and full cave to safely dive the Nest.

I'm limiting myself to 190, my certification allows me to dive to whatever depth I want. However, at the same time, I don't have a lot of experience much below 200. So, since this would be a first dive in this system, I feel that a 190 limitation is reasonable. Also, I dive a standard set of gas mixes and that's what I will have with me when I head down that way. We're actually hoping to get a dive in on the Oriskany, but if that falls thru then we'll plan to dive Eagles Nest.

[chilldive]

It isn't a lot different than Canonball. One reason people say that, is because it is deeper than most other FL caves, and a lot of FL divers aren't Trimix trained.

If you are full cave, and Trimix, then you won't have a problem with Eagles nest, but having some that has dived it before, on the first dive would be very useful.

Did I see somewhere that you were up this way and planning to dive Roubidoux? If so, how was it for you?

[SuPrBuGmAn]

We're actually hoping to get a dive in on the Oriskany, but if that falls thru then we'll plan to dive Eagles Nest.

You do realize that the Oriskany and Eagles Nest are like 8 hours from each other right?

[FW]

Did I see somewhere that you were up this way and planning to dive Roubidoux? If so, how was it for you?

Roubidoux was great! We only got a little over 1000', but a nice cave nevertheless. Y'all did a nice job with the line, and the habatat looks good too.

When are you getting to FL? Maybe I could go with you to the Nest.

[WEPIV]

Diving the Nest no deeper than 190ffw is fine and it means that you will just be staying in the ballroom area and not into the upstream or downstream sections of the cave. If you want to stay under 190 though watch your gauge closely as when you are following the line and approaching the cave passageways you will start to go to around 195 plus.
This is a nice, fun dive just by itself.

[chilldive]

You do realize that the Oriskany and Eagles Nest are like 8 hours from each other right?

Yeah. Coming from Missouri, we plan to hit the O first, then head to Marianna and start a week's worth of diving caves. We'll be all over the area from Marianna to High Springs and who knows where. Wherever the diving is good, is where we'll be.

[chilldive]

Roubidoux was great! We only got a little over 1000', but a nice cave nevertheless. Y'all did a nice job with the line, and the habatat looks good too.

When are you getting to FL? Maybe I could go with you to the Nest.

We'll be headed down on Nov 11. Hope to hit the Oriskany on the 12th, then dive all over NFL for the following week. If we dive the O, we probably won't dive the Nest. The Nest is just a backup plan in case we don't dive the O and want to use up our trimix. Heck if we haul it down, we might as well use it.

I'll keep you posted as well as the couple of folks that have PM'd me. Maybe we can put something together.

Thanks to all for your offers.

[chilldive]

Diving the Nest no deeper than 190ffw is fine and it means that you will just be staying in the ballroom area and not into the upstream or downstream sections of the cave. If you want to stay under 190 though watch your gauge closely as when you are following the line and approaching the cave passageways you will start to go to around 195 plus.
This is a nice, fun dive just by itself.

Thanks. That sounds like a good first dive to just get a little familiar with the system (you can always get more gas and come back for more). Heck just learning the way in and out of some of these is half the battle. I like the approach of gradual penetration and building a knowledge of the system. We only get down that way once or twice a year, so it takes a while to learn a new cave.