Lost Buddy Silt-out

[Dominic]

cave diving is a life long learning process.

Amen

[FW]

Skip,

I re-read your whole report, and I think when you redo the line, adding a few arrows would prevent getting turned around like you did after you found Steve.

[skip]

Yes, we have arrows every 100 feet through that section (I've been using a tape measure and marked line arrows). But I noticed that only two arrows were still on the line in a 500 foot run. So line arrows get blown off too I guess. I'm thinking every 50 feet would be better in that section, just for the relief factor. There is a line arrow at the old femur bone (300 feet) and whenever I see that I know we are home soon.

There was a line arrow right where we were, but it was so wrapped up in line there was no way to untangle the mess and figure which way it pointed! We didn't take time to figure the direction cause I knew it was a short distance to the top of the hill where viz clears to better than 10 feet. With two in touch contact and a 50/50 chance, it seemed best to just move along. We had plenty of gas, so running out was never a concern. I thought if we were going further in, we'd know in a couple of minutes and it sure will be good to get up off the floor in clear water to regroup, make eye contact, check spgs, and generally relax for a bit. And even at that point I was still thinking once we get up the hill into clear water, we may want to continue on and get in some good clear water diving! It was nice to get to that clear water, verify that it does clear at that point, and it was real nice to see steve's eyes. it was a great comfort to me to see his calm clear expression, concerned, but in control.

I did try to get steve to go all the up with me to the ceiling (where the big air pocket is) thinking it would be nice to float on inflated wing and talk a bit. He wasn't leaving the line now that he'd found it again! I know the line goes up along the wall at that point, well above the floor, and can be seen looking down from above. but steve didn't know that, so I gave a thumb up and pointed back into the muck and back we went.

skip

[FW]

.... But I noticed that only two arrows were still on the line in a 500 foot run. So line arrows get blown off too I guess....

Yes, it is hard to get a good wrap with thick goldline. Maybe small tie-wraps?

[Shocky]

I'll say it again for the newb, there are old cave divers and there are bold cave divers, but there are not many old, bold, cave divers! For what it is worth.

[nefiii]

Thanks for sharing.

[rchrds]

Skipper- so the gist of this is that the anchors on the main line in the front of the cave are all moved, and the T into the nasty passage is laying out in the main passage? Bla. At least that part is already surveyed, or are you saying that the line further up from the cave is all blown out to the front of the cave?

[skip]

There is a small section, 25 feet, of already surveyed cave in which the goldline has blown loose from the silt stakes. the silt stakes are gone, missing, not to be found. the goldline that was tied to them is now just so much loose line. Where the T to the mud tunnel was tied in to the goldline is now cut and laying loose as well. The line from the front of the cave to about 400 feet in is intact and fine. From 400-500 feet is the problem area more or less, but I really think it's the part just a few feet before the T and up the hill that's the loose problem. The goldline is tied into the rock wall about half-way up the hill (500 feet in or so). and it is fine across the top of the hill and partway down the other side. But what happens after that, I have no idea. Didn't make it that far. In other words, the only part I can say the line is loose is the already surveyed part. What we might find beyond that is anybody's guess. I'll try to get back in there this weekend and let you know.

Anyone want join me to check it out? I know it sounds bad (and it is), but once you get past the loose line and up over the hill, viz is like 10-15 feet, or was before the bit of rain we've been having.

by the way, where are you? what have you been up to? let us know!

skipper? no one's called me that since grade school! except for that one time, after the bar closed, and she whooped and hollered as she stripped on the bed.... turned out she had a sailor fetish.... well, you take advantage whenever you can. what can I say?


skip