Roubidoux (MO) 4/24/2010

[WJH]

Four of us enjoyed two excellent dives at Roubidoux today, despite warnings that recent rains might make the flow too tough to navigate.

It was indeed difficult to get into the spring, but once into the cavern zone, the flow was very manageable. It picked up again in the lower tunnel to a very stiff flow. Since it kept raining most of the time we were there, really pouring as we were starting our second dive, I expect the spring will be quite difficult if not impossible for the next several days. We need another good dry spell around here.

Our first dive was a planned deco dive into the lower tunnel with two deco gases. We did carry and stage the deco gases, but due to a couple complications in the team we didn't quite catch a deco obligation before the dive got turned, and I was the only one who got even a little way into the lower tunnel.

Second dive we did on backgas, and took the jump to the circuit around the dropoff in the upper tunnel. This dive went exactly as planned and was a very pretty and relaxing dive.

Visibility was app. 15 ft. and milky (in our four-man team I could clearly see the diver behind me, an outline of the third diver, and just a vague glow where I knew the fourth diver was) and the water temp as usual was 56 F.

There was a small rolling boil at the surface, which was our tip-off that the entry was going to be a challenge.

WJH

[fire diver]

Thanks for the report. I've been wanting to get back into RB since my cavern class last year. Maybe later this year...