Alachua Sink Guide Info

[Sly-vester]

I would like to dive Alachua Sink on Saturday morning. Who are the guides and how do I get a hold of them?

[hunabku]

http://www.nsscds.org/node/330

[Sly-vester]

http://www.nsscds.org/node/330

Thanks, Does anyone know who is CCR? In addition are DPVs allowed?

[hunabku]

No idea about CCR.

Read the managment plan for info on DPV's etc...

http://www.nsscds.org/cathedralsink

[apitkin]

TJ,

I wouldn't bother. One of the guides went by there a few days ago and in his words it 'looked like a sewer'. We also got a lot of rain in Gainesville last night which will not have helped things.

Of course, it may just be the cavern that is blown, but be prepared for disappointment if you do go.

Andy

[Kelly Jessop]

In addition are DPVs allowed?

Need several swim dives there before using a DPV. After you do the several swim dives there,and haul gear up and down the steps,a DPV will seem less inviting

[Sly-vester]

Thanks guys, doesn't look there are any CCR guides for the Alachua sink anyways. That's something that should addressed at the next board meeting.

[Kelly Jessop]

Thanks guys, doesn't look there are any CCR guides for the Alachua sink anyways. That's something that should addressed at the next board meeting.

Should be a simple solution to get a couple rebreather guides,but I think Mark dives a rebreather.

[JE]

" One of the guides went by there a few days ago and in his words it 'looked like a sewer'."
Why does it look like a sewer ? The last couple of times I've looked at it, it looked pristene & well taken care of.
Does Sonny's next door leave any discharges or contaminants draining into the sink ? i never got to dive it, but i've seen some beautiful videos of both the upstream & downstream sections. I always thought this would make a great dive.

je

[fno]

Typically, the basin and and cavern zone which is big go black while the upstream might be clear in rainy conditions. In this case the deco is a zero viz situation from 130' to the surface. Like Cathedral, Eagles Nest and some other sites this is a non-starter especially with divers that have no previous experience at this site. Also, with the rains, the water temp in the cavern zone can be as low as 55'-60' Not a dive stopper but mighty unpleasant for a 1 hour deco if you have not prepared in advance. Also worth noting, getting in and out of the sink becomes somewhat hazardous with rainfall. Granted there are steps now and mitigate the dangers of injury. The steps are not and can not be made ADA safe in the manner of Peacock and other sites as the terrain prevents this. The bottom line is that I will not dive there if a downpour is expected as the conditions within the cavern can and will change quickly. I say that as both a diver and guide at Mill Creek Sink. Rob Anderson is the property manager of Mill Creek and can answer any questions regarding diving at this site. It would be best to contact him directly to organize a dive at Mill Creek rather than rely on the comments here. Alternately, I am available for discussion via PM.

Best Regards, Frank Ohidy, ex Program Director, NSS- CDS BoD.