A less than theoretica question - How to determine a site's "approved" access points?

[kidsdream]

I posted on another forum a short review of my past weekend's dives at Peacock (just fantastic by the way).

And it appears that our dive using Water Hole III as an access point did not follow the "generally accepted" practice of entry locations at Peacock (we did this as a circuit, exited at P1). This was bit surprising as we discussed our plans at Cave Excursions and discussed our dive plan in the parking lot with other divers gearing up.

So that brings me to my question. How does one actually get the official access points at places like Peacock located on publicly managed land? There is nothing on the park website that I could find. Also having discussed our dive plan directly with Bill R. (we wanted to get the logistics of the line running in at the Water Hole), I would have thought he would advised us if we were doing something out of line - no pun intended.

I am sure a lot of newer Cave Divers would be interested at the protocol to follow.

[skip]

I've entered at Waterhole III too. didn't realize it was not an official entry/exit location. I suppose the "trail" through the woods is a giveaway on that. And as the trail becomes more woods and less trail, then it's less of an entry/exit point. boardwalk and stairs is a good hint it's an "official" entry/exit site. AND as you say, if you were doing anything "unofficial" or even unacceptable it would have come up in your planning with Bill.

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[Me]

My understanding has always been that Waterhole is an entrance or an exit, but not both on the same dive. In other words, due to the low silty aspects of that passage you avoid going back the way you came.......

[Jim Wyatt]

So that brings me to my question. How does one actually get the official access points at places like Peacock located on publicly managed land?

It is a good question..I just have heard it as "word of mouth" - same way Olsen & Pothole aren't entry/exit points. I'll ask Ranger Rick next time I see him if its "official policy" or just something that is now urban legend...

[Terry D]

FYI, the cave is not so low and/or silty that it cannot easily be kept clean during a dive. If your techniques suffers, it is better to develop skill and precision gradually rather than trash a cave. All good things take time ( and practice).

[Me]

Terry, I wouldn't know as I've not done that dive, but I do know I have seen a cloud more than once coming from that jump......

[Kelly Jessop]

When the tree fell at Waterhole,they wanted it limited to emergency egress only. I have not heard of this changing.

[kidsdream]

Kelly - I don't mean to be flip or be problematic, but who is "they" in this case? It would seem to be helpful if this type of info was more formally accessible and known to the general cave community. We actually discussed our planning of the dive at the NACD social and the subject of the limited access was never mentioned.

When the tree fell at Waterhole,they wanted it limited to emergency egress only. I have not heard of this changing.

[Line Squirrel]

When the tree fell at Waterhole,they wanted it limited to emergency egress only. I have not heard of this changing.

Ditto - Prior to the tree falling it wasn't an issue. You could come and go (enter/exit) with no restrictions.

[Kelly Jessop]

They would be park management. The information may be formally accessible in the management plan,such as no DPVs appears in the plan. I am presently investigating formal policy and what could be done to make it an official entry site,if it isn't already.