Original exploration in the Devil's system?

[phishfood]

A post by FW, something to the effect that it took quite a while to find a way thru the Lips, captured my imagination, and I thought that it might be educational and interesting to see what kind of stories, timelines, names, and downright lies a thread such as this might produce.

Those in the know, tell us about the exploration of this, one of the best known underwater cave systems in the world.

[curtschu]

Re-read Caverns Measureless to Man. There is a really cool description of Sheck finding the way from the Ear to the Eye for the first time.

[cavediver256]

Re-read Caverns Measureless to Man. There is a really cool description of Sheck finding the way from the Ear to the Eye for the first time.

No matter how many times I read Sheck's book, it seems to get more informative and interesting each time.

[Wizard]

I think most of us have forgotten that 1200 to 1500 feet was once considered a he-man dive.
Twin 72's, no real bouyancy control device, piss poor regulators, and can you believe using air?
Gear and training has transformed this sport. I love to see the old exploration pics of some of the "old timers" for lack of a better term. They had mega-nads!

[JDostal]

I'd love to see more books like The Taming of the Slough. I love reading that book, finding out an in depth history of these caves is half the fun of diving them. I remember the first time I dove Edwards spring, the first thing I did when I got home was opened up Sheck's book and found the section on that spring and reread it.

[flyczek]

I too just re-read that book. It does get better every time. Truly gives one an appreciation for those who ventured into the unknown without the training and equipment we enjoy today. I especially love reading the part about when they are preparing for the grand traverse by drinking gatorade, honey and coffee. I'm a fairly new cave diver and have really enjoyed recreating some of the dives in the book. Of course, I don't have to switch out my doubles halfway through, use air, or breathe into my wing to maintain bouyancy. I guess that kind of cheapens my experience, but I love doing it all the same. Sorry if this is kind of a hijack, but I'm stuck away from the caves for another two months so all I can do is read and daydream about my next dives.

[FW]

I too just re-read that book. It does get better every time. Truly gives one an appreciation for those who ventured into the unknown without the training and equipment we enjoy today. I especially love reading the part about when they are preparing for the grand traverse by drinking gatorade, honey and coffee. I'm a fairly new cave diver and have really enjoyed recreating some of the dives in the book. Of course, I don't have to switch out my doubles halfway through, use air, or breathe into my wing to maintain bouyancy. I guess that kind of cheapens my experience, but I love doing it all the same. Sorry if this is kind of a hijack, but I'm stuck away from the caves for another two months so all I can do is read and daydream about my next dives.

Funny you should mention the traverse. I remember needing a stage to do that dive, but I don't now. For the life of me, I can't figure out what is different, except maybe gear is better now.

I used to only make it to the Maple Leaf in Devil's Eye, but I know why. The main line used to start way into the cave. You had to run a reel to at least the lips, if not the Hill 400 jump. That took a lot of gas.

For the life of me, I can't figure out what is different, except maybe gear is better now.

Well, I was going to suggest that modern regulators breathe so much easier that your SAC rate would be MUCH lower now.

But then I remembered you still use those ancient Poseidons.

[FW]

For the life of me, I can't figure out what is different, except maybe gear is better now.

Well, I was going to suggest that modern regulators breathe so much easier that your SAC rate would be MUCH lower now.

But then I remembered you still use those ancient Poseidons.

While I do realize you are trying to be a wise a$$, I was an instructor back then, and if anything, my SAC rate was lower then.

[Cavediver520]

I am somewhat new to cave diving and not as knowledgable as I would like to be about the sport, but I would like to say that I really appreciate all of the people that forged ahead to make the knowledge and tecniques available to us today. I hope that one day I can give back as much as I learn.