Ginnie & Amigos 11/26 & 11/27

[diveconjeff]

Had a wonderful couple days up in NoFL diving at Ginnie.

Thanks to the Buddy Forum here at CDF, I met up with Patrick at Waynes. Patrick then introduced me to his wife Pat. About that time Pat drove up to talk to Wayne about replacing her computer. Shades of Monty Python's Bruces sketch!

Anyway, Patrick and I having just met, decided to do Ear Hill 400, Bats, Short Cut, and Gold line exit through the Eye. A very enjoyable dive. Just the way they all should go. No mechanical failures, no equipment issues, no navigational challenges, and good team work. I would say a moderate flow & typical vis (really specific huh?)

Upon surfacing Patrick and I both remarked how much we enjoyed the dive. Even found out we had the same cave instructor.

Second dive was to be a little more involved, but plans often change. About the time we were going through the lips Patrick's light decided to take a break and we turned the dive. I waited in the water while he retrieved his backup primary.

Once squared away, we changed the plan to swim mainline to roller coaster and comeback on the mainline. From that point the dive went quite smoothly , until my primary went into "strobe mode". Low battery with an LED light head. Switched to one of my trusty really bright backups with a light sock (no brand endorsements here) and really enjoyed the exit as well.

On Saturday, the original plan was for Patrick and I to meet up with FW and stage up to the Sherwood Split area. Well Patrick became alternately engaged and was not able to join us, FW was at that point diving a wet dry suit, which is a lot worse than a dry wet suit, and we joined up with Mark. We changed the plan and decided to go to roller coaster and come back through the bone room.

With myself in the lead, I got off to a roaring start apparently still stuck in the same swimming gear as the day before and regrettably it took me a while to throttle back to a more enjoyable pace. Once that was done, we settled in for a comfortable swim up to the roller coaster jump. At that point, I entered the roller coaster tunnel, but for some reason, I did not think this was the same tunnel I had been in only the day before. (Still kind of baffled by that) So we continued up the main line and I soon realized my gaff, but continued on the mainline anyway until turning. On our way back we had a very nice swim down through the bone room line. So the dive that I did do was most enjoyable, just not the dive we set out for.

After diving, packed up the gear and headed over to Amigo's for some wonderful food, music, and story swapping. Speaking of swapping, I did all right at the swap meet as well picking up a few items that will serve me well.

Really looking forward to getting back in a month.

[TONY CHANEY]

Glad to hear of the good times and good trip report.

[FW]

... FW was at that point diving a wet dry suit, which is a lot worse than a dry wet suit,....

Or even a wet wet suit

[cavemark]

It was a good dive and a good day. Thanks for letting me join you. I dove with Patrick a couple of months ago when I was still having problems with the new drysuit. I hope he'll still dive with me again sometime after I called the second dive before we even got half way to the bats.

[Burke]

I hope he'll still dive with me again sometime after I called the second dive before we even got half way to the bats.

Absolutely, no problem. I just got my drysuit back from repair and just getting settled in with it myself.

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Jeff, I got Andrew at EE to replace the reflector on my primary so I'll be all set next time. You set a great pace for a nice enjoyable dive.