WKPP: New lead at Wakulla

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We are pleased to announce the successful completion of one of the biggest dives in the history of the WKPP. Thanks to a massive team effort, the lead exploration team of Jablonski and McKinlay explored the new "R-Tunnel" cave out past 23800'/7254m, adding 7640'/2328m of new line in the process. Here are two short stories about the dive from the local television news report, as well as Casey's preliminary summary:

http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/7405066.html
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/7424196.html

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Casey McKinlay's Update:

Huge thanks to everyone that assisted with this past weekend’s record dive. The goal was to push north and west from the Wakulla side for a connection between R-Tunnel and Leon Sinks. Jarrod and I gave it everything we had and then some but the cave refused to give it up despite adding 7,640ft in some of the most incredible cave discovered to date in the WKP. The cave stayed large and deep as we worked our way upstream; first west, northwest, north and eventually breaking it open into massive conduit bearing northeast. We believe we worked our way around a large collapse of some sort and are back on track to intersect Leon Sinks somewhere downstream of Turner Sink. Along the way we observed multiple leads, parallel conduits, tannic tunnels and a 2,000ft section containing milky white water, abundant crayfish and bacteria covered floors. We eventually tied off in massive, deep, clear conduit with noticeable flow. Todd Kincaid has the data and is updating the map this week.

The dive:
Bottom Time – 580 minutes at 270ft
Decompression – 15.5 hours
Total Run Time – 25.5 hours
Exploration – 7,640ft added
Total Distance from Wakulla Springs – 23,810ft

The goal of the dive was to connect the systems and update the map as to the specific locations of the cave conduits. The map data is then used by the State of Florida as part of their land use and land acquisition process to protect the water sources feeding Wakulla Springs. 23,810ft from Wakulla Springs exceeded our 20,000ft May, 2006 push into Wakulla’s Q-Tunnel and firmly establishes a new cave penetration record for the WKPP.

The entire team should be proud of a challenging, yet exciting weekend where everyone pulled together and adapted as needed to get the job done. Running a 30 hour operation takes a great deal of preparation and Todd Leonard along with the entire support and setup crew did an outstanding job. Each team member shares in the success and I was glad to see everyone refocus and come back strong after the May 19 dive at Turner. You guys are the best.

Casey McKinlay
Project Director
Woodville Karst Plain Project

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Congratulations guys!

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The local ABC news station has posted their coverage of the dive. Unfortunately, they couldn't handle the high def footage from the current dives, so they used standard DV from 2004/5, when the team was placing the metering stations throughout the first few thousand feet of the cave for the department of environmental protection.

http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/8173112.html

-Anthony

[mwenner]

Truely amazing, and worthy, with all the work put into it.

[MichaelAngelo]

excelent news congrates
MA