Devil's Ear 4-14-18
Someone mentioned they'd love to see more dive reports, so here you go.
The alarm on my phone went off bright and early informing me that I was supposed to dive with Daedalus and Oya at the nest today, but with all the rain on Monday and Tuesday, we were concerned the system may be trashed. So, I went for the next best option and dusted off my Nomad, loaded up a couple of stage bottles, an oxygen bottle, my scooter, and some side-mount 95's and made my way to Ginnie.
Arriving at 8, I was able to check in lickety split. While at the counter I was informed they were replacing annual passes with new (fancy) ones that allow the gate guards to scan the card and expedite your check-in. I left my annual pass with Beth with the idea of picking up my new one when I was done diving for the day.
At Little Devil's I ran into Amy and Bob (I believe he's IowaCaveDiver??), who were planning on scootering back to Sweets Surprise with their KISS Sidewinders. We talked for a few minutes, then I carried my gear to the water, suited up, and got ready for my dive.
After doing my pre-dive checks, I pulled the trigger on the scooter around 9. When I got to Devil's Eye I noticed that a tarp had been placed up to keep the river from discoloring the eye. Between Monday and Tuesday we had substantial rainfall and there's a pulse of water that's been working it's way down the Santa Fe. Regardless, I was able to zip over the tarp, and made my way through the ear into the gallery. After dropping off my O2 bottle, I stopped and double checked all of my gear, took a few slow relaxing breaths, then pulled the trigger on my scooter.
I made great time through the gallery, lips, and keyhole. I double checked my buoyancy at the park bench, and continued on flying past the Hill 400 jump, the Mud Flats jump, and to the Roller Coaster. A few minutes later I was back in the Sand Dunes, going up the main passage working my way towards the Hinkle. The visibility in the Bear Room was fantastic with a cobalticity rating of 11. After the bear room, I went past the Mainland jump and dropped my first stage bottle at the top of the hill, around 2950'.
Switching to my second stage, I continued toward the Hinkle. I made very slow progress past the Hinkle, going first through the Berman Room, the rock restriction, the scraper pit, and relentless depression before coming to the first of many T's. I made my way through the first few T's, dropping my second stage bottle at 3900'. I continued my way, past the brass ball, through the domes in Acheron pass, and on up to the four way T in Marius' room. I swung a left through the wrong bypass (that's it's name, seriously), and made my way a bit until I hit my turn.
I spent my sweet time on the way out. I had plenty of gas (I turned before thirds), and decided to really get a good look at this section of cave that I had never before visited. Even with the flow pushing me on my merry way, I probably averaged 20' a minute on the exit. Working back through the Highway to Hell, I picked my stage bottle up and worked my way back to the Hinkle. I arrived at the Hinkle with my computer saying 100 minutes (and 100' average depth, perfect score). I grabbed and switched to my second stage bottle at the hill, turned up my scooter, and made my way to the exit.
My 50' stop cleared by the time I got to my oxygen bottle in the gallery, but I had 5 minutes at 40', followed by plenty of time at 30' and 20' to think about all the cool stuff there is to see in this cave.
When I was done, I swung by the main office to pick up my new (and improved!) annual pass, where the party was in full swing, before heading to the shop to refill my bottles for the next adventure.
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Originally Posted by Diverlee
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