Cow Springs penetration

[aainslie]

Hey all,

How far back does Cow go? I'd like to plan a dive to the end, but before doing so would like to know how far back I'd be going and what sort of max depth to expect to plan PO2's - it gets fairly deep in parts so I was thinking of using a bit of helium with 32% to drop PO2 and reduce narcosis, AND I don't want any surprises further back with depth. I'd also like some idea of what sort of stage lugging and positioning I'm going to need to do. Given the first two restrictions this requires planning, as I'd need one or more dives just positioning stages in the first thousand or so feet, and one or two to remove the stages after the dive to the end. Each restriction is going to need a process of removing and replacing the stages as one goes through. Basically I intend spending a couple of days on this little project next time I'm in cave country.

Also does anyone know where I can find the best map for Cow? The one on cathy's wall ends at around 1700 feet if i recall, which is about as far as I've gone so far.

If you'd prefer to PM me than email me please do so.

Regards,

Andrew

[Line Squirrel]

James Hurley has a newer map he put out. CDS sells them or I have a copy you can look at here at the shop.
Mike

[Kirk]

If you are talking about the mainline, I'm not sure how back it goes, but it is not that far back. I did the dive in about two hours, including deco. Two 104s and one aluminum 80 stage bottle. Pushed the stage through the entrance, and dropped it right before "not my fault". I had more than enough gas (could have probably done it without the stage). Max depth 105 ft. No need to do a set up or clean up dive. If you want to do the little tunnel off to the right of the mainline, you might want to bring a second stage and drop it before you get off the mainline. - Kirk

How far back does Cow go?

All the way to the end of the line.



Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Tegg]

You can dive 32% to the end of the line in Cow.

You will know you've hit the end of the line by what you see...

Let us know when you have made it...

Not knowing everything about the cave, like where it ends, is the best part of diving caves... I'd hate to ruin it for you...

[cavediver256]

PM sent Andrew

[aainslie]

I knerw I'd get a bit of crap for posting this! Thanks for matching my expectations there, Sludge.

Actually I had fun on my last trip swimming to the end of the line at Little River. It would have made my drysuit far less messy if someone had mentioned how silty it gets in the last few hundred feet... still you're right, it's fun to come across the end of the line somewhat unexpectedly. I would have preferred on that trip seeing more of the line on my way back though.

Thanks for the help, TH and TJ. You've helped me decide what gear to take. Last time I took a camera (I haven't finished editing the footage yet, I'll post when I have) - I'm not carrying a camera this time!

On the He - last time I used leftover gas from an Eagle's dive to do a Ginnie dive. It shocked me how much more clear headed I was with about 20% He in my mix at 100 feet. I know it's expensive, but it sure makes a difference. Still, thanks for letting me know that PO2 is cool.

Next... anyone been down that little brown line off to the left as you return, right on the way in? How far back does that go? PM's gladly accepted...

[jeandiver]

How far back does Cow go?

All the way to the end of the line.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Ok , I have to ask ... (ahem)
Which came first , the cave -or- the line ?

Andrew: Have a great time on your project! We will be waiting on the results.

Da Bean

[Cindy]

Hi Andrew. The line on the left on the way into the lower section is a loop that goes to the fissure at the end of the gold hand line. Go into the flow only on that loop as it is very nasty to get out if you try the other way.

The line to the right is a dead end siphon that goes just far enough to suck all your gas away. Not a happy memory for me.

I have been to the end of the line at cow on a single stage. It ended in a loop at that time but I understand someone pushed an ugly little fissure back farther. A double stage should give you lots of time to play. Your an easy breather.

Save some time to play at the park. Cindy

[Gary]

I'd also like some idea of what sort of stage lugging and positioning I'm going to need to do.

You should probably plan on dropping your 2nd stage at the top of not-my fault (p1000') as there are few good places to drop a stage later then that and even the main line gets tight in places. Dragging a stage through that restriction just to drop it at the bottom is cruel and unusual punishment on the cave.

There at the bottom of not-my-fault is the deepest part of the cave. It runs along at about 100' depth for several hundred feet and then transitions back shallower.

The end of the cave has been extended a long way. The old end 1700' back is a dead end room but some sidemount passages have been extended a long way. If you are backmounting the old cow map has everything you can do backmount included. If you are sidemounting you should look at James' map.

(Actually the last couple hundred feet of the mainline is pretty tight in backmount. Fragile black goethite. Have enough air and time to take special care through the back portions. Be careful it's pretty dusty back there you will have reduced vis on the way back and it's easy to loose the brown stained main line against the brown stained walls. There are side passages may circuit back to the main line yet may be impassable for a diver in backmount. If you follow the flow out and don't watch out it can lead you right into one of these.

If you have enough gas left after returning it's nice to blow off some of your deco in the downstream section it's mostly only about 35' deep.


One thing about Cow: all the side lines off the main line are completely sidemount - except for the circuit on the right just as you drop to 100' at the bottom of "not my fault".