Roubidoux Spring, Missouri - Exploration Update - OCDA
For those who may be interested, just thought we’d provide an update on recent exploration activities at Roubidoux. As most know, due to conditions and other circumstances, no serious exploration at Roub has occurred in many years. Back in December 2007 the OCDA placed a habitat in the system with plans to explore and push the cave. However, conditions went downhill soon thereafter.
Finally, this October 2011, conditions and other timing factors have lined up and the OCDA has been able to get in and prepare for further exploration. Earlier in Oct, we inspected and repaired line out to just beyond the 3rd drop off (around 2700’ inbound). From there it was noticed that the line was in need of further repair continuing on in. On Oct 29, we gathered for yet another larger effort to inspect and repair line past the 2700’ mark to the end of line (EOL).
Conditions held and we accomplished that goal. The line is now in good condition out to the end of the line. Additionally, while the long range team of Wallace and Bennett was out there, they took a peek down the virgin tunnel to get a feel for how the passage would trend going on and to be able to better prepare for a future push dive. In the process they added close to 100’ of new line. Since new exploration was not part of the dive plan and time was out, they reluctantly turned the dive at that point. Adding the 100’ of line is certainly a nice teaser for all of us though! The previous EOL depth was 260’ and one key question we’ve always had was “does the system continue getting deeper from there?”. It’s always been assumed that it does go deeper, but we discovered that it looks like it continues at a fairly steady depth. The passage going on is of good size with rolling floor covered with silt and varies in depth from 225’ to 260’.
Oct 29 Project Stats:
We had four 2-man teams performing various dive missions and 3 topside support folks. This was probably the minimal number of team members to safely perform what was accomplished that day.
The long range team had a total dive time of 462 min (7 hrs 42 min). Max depth was 260’. We made good use of the habitat, which was a huge benefit for thorough decompression and safety.
Project started promptly at 7 am and concluded around 8:30 pm.
If conditions hold and schedules can be coordinated, we hope to attempt a push before the end of the year.
For pics with descriptions of the Oct 29 project check out this link: http://www.ocda.org/Roub102011.htm
On behalf of the OCDA,
Chris Hill
OCDA team member
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Originally Posted by ScubaRob
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