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From Uptown Jim Brown . . .
We were graced with the almighty presence of Dr. Hirsch taking a break from the parallel boards on the snow. You can see in one of the pics he is intent on teaching something, this time a little finger pointing at Huck and Darth. Another pic clearly shows Huck's reaction as the good Dr. seizes a photo opp. Darth looks on, pondering Huck's post-wreck gear configuration. Twas a Smokey's day indeed at BSC, Upper A. The morning was crisp and clear with C-Lu leading the early birds. We were on Darth time so C-Lu, Mayo, Palm, Nate and Steve Mooney were nearly geared up when we arrived.
After much ado about absolutely nothing, Huck, Darth, the good Dr. and I dropped in at the bottom of the steep path, down the slope, drifting toward the north wall. A slight correction to the south and we passed over the pipe from the dozer to the deep boat. On to the line, along the ridge of the hole, and to the step van. A couple of pics at the rear, uh, the back of the van, and one of the wheel/tire, show the van is acquiescing to its watery resting place. A strong list to the south has created a parallelogram out of the once square cargo hold. We rounded the tanker to the concrete marker in route to the Barn. Despite the darkness at 90', the marker showed up nicely under the Ikelite digital strobe. Note the string for the navigationally challenged! Rock, stay clear! The Barn was shrouded in haze but a couple of pics with the Ikelite strobe illuminated a couple of interesting perspectives.
Here's a new one: a lawnmower resting peacefully between the Barn and the east wall at 90'. We turned north at the wall, rounded a huge boulder and crossed over a ridge. Our heading held to the west despite our plan to return along the north wall. We arrived back at the east end of the hole with the tanker just to our south. Yea, Huck, I know where I'm going! Back at the deep boat the strobe once again proved its merits. The upshot of the wheelhouse and the single cleat, port & aft, pretty cool for a dark, dreary quarry. Oh, its the little things that get us excited, right turtle?
Darth and I let Huck and the good Dr. carry on to the exit while we ascended to 20' for the deco switch to 70%. We cruised the platforms returning to the tree for more pics. A solo bluegill cruised through the labyrinth of pine boughs keeping the resident penguin company. The proper Smokey's sign was located in the truck and placed carefully at the tree's base. Another terrific diving day at BSC. So much to see, so little gas. Our run time of 61 minutes at 100ffw max depth was just about enough for my 120 at 32%. I finished with about 300psi.
The adventure continues. Santa is missing. Darth's valve still leaks. Huck has a brand new (pre-owned) shiny dive truck. The good Dr is completing another snowy trifecta. Palm vows to send scuba spam. C-Lu took her budget camera rig for another dive. Nate wasn't even sure he was at BSC. Where's that ridge? Now where were we? I thought... Mayo said he showed his wife that wreck trip email...they need me sweetheart! Steve is on the fence, not sure which side of the river... Don't miss out, join the Smokey's elf brigade! See you New Year's Day! Descending again
From Bryan Plamer . . .
Saturday - Scott the Rock and I meet up at Bainbridge for 2 dives. Jim Weakland and his dive buddy Paul were also present. Our first dive led us over to the Smokey’s Christmas tree and down to the deep boat and down in the hole. We continued along the ledge and over to the step van and then head south over to the wall and along the wall west back to were we entered the water. We got out of the water and warmed up for a little bit. Thank goodness for Scott thinking ahead. He brought a canister of warm water four our gloves for the second dive. This is the Cold time of Year so if you are diving with wet gloves this is one of the best things you can do for your self is boil water put it in a container and before diving pour some in your glove it will keep your hands nice and warm for a while. We then entered for a second dive and went along the south wall at about 60ft and then came back around 30-40 ft.
Sunday - Sunday met with the hordes coming out. Smokey’s divers included Uptown Jim Brown, Vern “I need Servants when I dive” Heagy, Rick “Scare face” Huck, Nate “where the heck am I” Brommer, Chris “THE Responsible ONE” Mayo, Susie Freedmen, Kent “Dr. Deco” Hirsh”, and our very own Dr Suess’s Cindy Lu WHO, and my dive buddy Steve Mooney from York. Huck sported his new Wheels, which are replacing his GO ANYWERE SUV mini van, which so tragically met its fate a few weeks ago on the way to dive at BSC.
Steve and I started our dive a few minutes after Nate and Chris who were heading off to the steep van. Nate and I did a dive somewhat the same as we headed down the road and to the deep boat and along the ridge. Steve notified me that his light was dead so I gave him my backup light for him to use as we headed to the steep van as we saw 2 lights searching all over the area, as we signaled ok they did as well and it was Chris and Nate. A quick note- with it being cold now it is important that you all check your batteries in your lights before diving and that the cold water will suck the power out of the batteries much quicker so it is important to have a spare on hand if you would like also. Steve and I continued along the ridge to the silo and then continued on and then to a straight route back to the deep boat and up the working road and over into the bowl for our last 10 minutes.
Our second dive found us on the going along the south wall and for a quick shallow dive about 60 feet out and came back at about 40-50 feet. All in all it was a great day and great company to get out and dive, it may be cold out but the Smokey’s commodore keeps it warm on the topside.
From Jess Zellers . . .
Monday night diving at Myerstown! Naw you ain't narked, I said Monday. With two thursday's also being major holidays the committe has decided that the Irregulars will fend for ourselves til after the chilil dive. So Kulp and I hit Myerstown to do some diving. Now, even though our small group of Irregulars is at best 10 any given week we still fill out most of the pinic tables. But last night. There was only two of us, two pinic tables inside the lobster shack, one big fire going, and one good idea. Gear up inside! AHHhhh. Like I said, one good idea.
So after gearing up in heated pleasure, stepped into the water which was at a warm 45F. Diving winter at Myerstown in awesome, best viz outta the whole year. Thursday nights all we usually see is Perch, but the Monday night special is Bluegill. They were everywhere... even inside the Quest, and I don't remember ever seeing fish in there before. All the fish were quite shocked and confused to see divers, they quickly ran away to consult a calandar. Now that winter's had time to kill off all the weeds, the west wall is once again perfect for diving. I know alot of you do Bainbridge or Wabanks or when you get to Myerstown ya stay on the lines. Don't you're missing the best spot to dive around here. Do your dive, end up at the minnow. From there go off the bow toward the wall and just keep it on your right and come back to the dock. The three trees hanging at an angle is about half way. Best spot to dive around here, and my personal favorite.
New Years day. Chilli Dive. Myerstown. Come dive the west wall!
Keep on diving and LIVE THE ADVENTURE!!!
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