Jess's Hole

[Signal 20]

whats the deal with Jess's Hole. I saw acouple minutes of the video and some pictures. I'm guessing since noone talks about diving it that its probably on someone private property and they dont allow diving

[Cindy]

It is on private land and they do allow diving. It has a steep chimney and very little flow. It's a very pretty and unusual site. It's OK if you sidemount and take care with the silting but I wouldn't try it with doubles. I think there is something like a 30 foot drop to the water. Cindy

[JE]

whats the deal with Jess's Hole. I saw acouple minutes of the video and some pictures. I'm guessing since noone talks about diving it that its probably on someone private property and they dont allow diving

PM sent-!

[jeandiver]

whats the deal with Jess's Hole. I saw acouple minutes of the video and some pictures. I'm guessing since noone talks about diving it that its probably on someone private property and they dont allow diving

PM sent-!

If you want , I can put you in touch with the person that has the land around Jess's Hole !!!

Let me know !!!

Jean

[Signal 20]

is it worth the trouble? how much going cave is there?

[Cindy]

The max penetration is around 600 feet. Huge cavern zone. If you hit it right it's an unusual and interesting dive. Don't forget the straight up and down drop. It's not someplace you want to go with bad knees. I tore one of mine up pretty good climbing out of there. It's a good place to practice really tough dives like the ones where you rappel into the water and climb out. The owner has made imporvements and there are ladders and platforms now. I have Scotts card here someplace but I need to get to work and can't find it. I'm not too sure if he wants his information out on the web anyway. Try Kathy at dive outpost for more info. Have a good one, Cindy

[jeandiver]

The max penetration is around 600 feet. Huge cavern zone. If you hit it right it's an unusual and interesting dive. Don't forget the straight up and down drop. It's not someplace you want to go with bad knees. I tore one of mine up pretty good climbing out of there. It's a good place to practice really tough dives like the ones where you rappel into the water and climb out. The owner has made imporvements and there are ladders and platforms now. I have Scotts card here someplace but I need to get to work and can't find it. I'm not too sure if he wants his information out on the web anyway. Try Kathy at dive outpost for more info. Have a good one, Cindy

If you need Scott's number , let me know (PM etc ... )
I talked to him today and he would be HAPPY to get in touch with you.

Jean

[CaptainSpeleo]

I was just looking at some photos of Jess's Hole and it reminds me of Azure Blue that was opened for diving during one of the cave diving workshops about 15 years ago. Are they one and the same place?

[batso]

They are not the same, but look similar because they are both examples
of "no go, no flow" caves. This type is usually found in sinkhole plain areas. These are the most delicate of all the underwater caves. It is common to see places in the rock that look to have tiny holes like lacework. You get the feeling that in that stagnant environment the rock just sort of rots away particle by particle. The surface of the rock is usually very soft or even mushy. You may have heard that "Caves heal with time" - this is largely an erroneous statement and in relation to these caves is totally false.Any mark you make,which means Anything you touch is damage that will last through human history. Even your bubbles will cause damage to the ceiling. I saw a bit of some video where some divers were tearing the place up pretty good on one dive.
As much as I hate to disagree with Cindy on anything, I would say that
such a place is not good for practising "Vertical cave diving" techniques
as there are plenty of quarries and sinkholes which are used by the locals
which can stand the wear where a delicate cave really can't.
Btw- In answer to a previous question, Squirrel Chiimney is another example of this type of cave, one small room, extremely delicate, and a real pain to get in and out of. Private and off limits to diving as most of these places should be. And yes, there are scientists who monitor it
to check on the ultra rare palemonetes cummingi shrimp. Paul Smith

[tomhauburn]

They are not the same, but look similar because they are both examples
of "no go, no flow" caves. This type is usually found in sinkhole plain areas. These are the most delicate of all the underwater caves. It is common to see places in the rock that look to have tiny holes like lacework. You get the feeling that in that stagnant environment the rock just sort of rots away particle by particle. The surface of the rock is usually very soft or even mushy. You may have heard that "Caves heal with time" - this is largely an erroneous statement and in relation to these caves is totally false.Any mark you make,which means Anything you touch is damage that will last through human history. Even your bubbles will cause damage to the ceiling. I saw a bit of some video where some divers were tearing the place up pretty good on one dive.
As much as I hate to disagree with Cindy on anything, I would say that
such a place is not good for practising "Vertical cave diving" techniques
as there are plenty of quarries and sinkholes which are used by the locals
which can stand the wear where a delicate cave really can't.
Btw- In answer to a previous question, Squirrel Chiimney is another example of this type of cave, one small room, extremely delicate, and a real pain to get in and out of. Private and off limits to diving as most of these places should be. And yes, there are scientists who monitor it
to check on the ultra rare palemonetes cummingi shrimp. Paul Smith

Thanks Paul for the info. I read some of the posts on the shrimp. Interesting reading to be sure and it amazing that it located so close by in a booming area. Is the shrimp population holding or on the decline?
Tom