Ginnie

[Rich]

If you're an active cave diver in NFL and you don't have a G pass that kinda makes you a chump, IMHO...

Safe diving,

Rich

[LMN]

If you're an active cave diver in NFL and you don't have a G pass that kinda makes you a chump, IMHO...

Safe diving,

Rich

Define "active"

[Kelly Jessop]

If you're an active cave diver in NFL and you don't have a G pass that kinda makes you a chump, IMHO...

Safe diving,

Rich

I am a chump. I had a Ginnie annual pass for 10 years,but I have lost my appetite for Ginnie, because it is the most beat up cave in Florida. Personally when there is flooding and everything is closed except for Ginnie, I would rather stay home then look at the systematic damage that has occurred over the last couple decades.

[MarkR]

I wish they'd sell a few different levels of annual passes, with one including camping. Whatever the fee was, it might be worth it... as long as you have plenty of weekdays off.

I agree. Some sort of family or guest option would be nice. I have three kids and friends who dive when in town.

I also wish they would improve the check in process for pass holders.

If you're an active cave diver in NFL and you don't have a G pass that kinda makes you a chump, IMHO...

Safe diving,

Rich

I don't agree at all

I got a pass last year, and will probably renew at least once, but am pretty sure I won't be willing to pay the $300+ annual fee forever when there are other options.

[rddvet]

I also wish they would improve the check in process for pass holders.

Sounds like you're doing it wrong if you mean waiting in line to check in. If you pick a long time employee and have your pass visibly in hand, they usually bump you to the front of the line awesomely pissing off the camping dirtballs.

If you mean they should just let annual pass holders drive through the front check in guard house, then I agree. There's no reason the people in the guard house can't look at your card and let you through. I get that they want to mark your car and your wrist as cave divers, but that's honestly pointless. Since Rick stopped working there, there's never anyone patrolling the dive area. And on the rare occassion there is, they're usually smoking cigarettes and bs'ing with their friends.

[MarkR]

Sounds like you're doing it wrong if you mean waiting in line to check in. If you pick a long time employee and have your pass visibly in hand, they usually bump you to the front of the line awesomely pissing off the camping dirtballs.

I gotten lucky like that only a couple times , maybe I'm not being pushy enough.

If you mean they should just let annual pass holders drive through the front check in guard house, then I agree. There's no reason the people in the guard house can't look at your card and let you through. I get that they want to mark your car and your wrist as cave divers, but that's honestly pointless. Since Rick stopped working there, there's never anyone patrolling the dive area. And on the rare occassion there is, they're usually smoking cigarettes and bs'ing with their friends.

This is exactly what I mean. Maybe have a sign in sheet at the guard shack. I would feel much better about my annual fee if I could skip the check-in process. And the arm band.

[rddvet]

I gotten lucky like that only a couple times , maybe I'm not being pushy enough.

I think it more depends on if they see you enough. I usually dive Ginnie once every 4-6 weeks, but everybody there knows my buddy well, so now they recognize me. Even without that, making sure you have your pass in hand and very visible works, especially if you make it obvious you're looking around for the shortest line. I never expect to get pulled to the front of the line. I just make sure my "status" as a pass holder is obvious.

This is exactly what I mean. Maybe have a sign in sheet at the guard shack. I would feel much better about my annual fee if I could skip the check-in process. And the arm band.

I do agree with that. It could all happen at the guard shack. Arm bands in my opinion are a waste of time. There's no one checking them anymore, and I don't think I've worn one much further than 10 feet past the guard shack. Once I'm in, it's off.

[wingman]

I am a chump. I had a Ginnie annual pass for 10 years,but I have lost my appetite for Ginnie, because it is the most beat up cave in Florida. Personally when there is flooding and everything is closed except for Ginnie, I would rather stay home then look at the systematic damage that has occurred over the last couple decades.

I've had a Ginnie pass for about 15 years now and while this past year I only went there for about 25 dives or so there have been a few years where i got in well over 100. Yes there is damage, it is probably the most dived cave in Florida and maybe on the planet which certainly explains a lot of that. I still find a lot of very beautiful and undamaged spots especially the further in that you go. I have yet to dive the new section but hope to soon. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have access to many systems that are open to DPVs and solo diving. While my pass just expired i will certainly renew it on my next trip down the week after next.

[Kelly Jessop]

I've had a Ginnie pass for about 15 years now and while this past year I only went there for about 25 dives or so there have been a few years where i got in well over 100. Yes there is damage, it is probably the most dived cave in Florida and maybe on the planet which certainly explains a lot of that. I still find a lot of very beautiful and undamaged spots especially the further in that you go. I have yet to dive the new section but hope to soon. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have access to many systems that are open to DPVs and solo diving. While my pass just expired i will certainly renew it on my next trip down the week after next.

Bill, appreciate your comments. You are right it has huge amount of access, and expect a certain amount of attrition because of this. There is a lot cave damage there that is from carelessness and poor technique, not just normal wear and tear. Ginnie benefits from having as many people there as they can cram in from an economic stand point,but this has removed a lot of aesthetic, and dampened appeal to this site.

[wingman]

Bill, appreciate your comments. You are right it has huge amount of access, and expect a certain amount of attrition because of this. There is a lot cave damage there that is from carelessness and poor technique, not just normal wear and tear. Ginnie benefits from having as many people there as they can cram in from an economic stand point,but this has removed a lot of aesthetic, and dampened appeal to this site.

Certainly agree but not ready to write it off. If there was ever a place for conservation and restore wok Ginnie is it. Would like to see areas close off to use for a while and undergo some restorative repair work. Sort of like the nps does for trails in parks. to some extent it is possible to erase handprints, knee gouges, scooter marks etc.