 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Click To Enlarge
HHHHHHHEEEEEEEEE'SSSSSS BACK
From Tom Pritchard . . .
Where the Boyz Are (and I ain't talkin' no Connie Francis)
The reports of great viz at Bainbridge are making the divers at Willow downright jealous. Viz was 25ft plus in December, but has been dropping since and has been about 5ft for the last 2 weeks. Gerhard Maree, James Zimmerman, and I planned our dive and almost dived our plan. We went out along the ropes into the cove and then, after a short stretch of zero viz probably caused by runoff down the quarry wall, headed along the road to the bomb. On compass we made it to the Mystery Boat. Although we didn't find any lost fins, we didn't lose any more equipment so on we pressed. On compass, we aimed for Bubba but missed it by a tad and ended up at the Quest. After brushing the silt off Dan's plaque, we did a lap around the mixer and headed home. 70 minutes and 41 degrees. By the end of the dive, all of us had gone through the three phases of cold water adaptation. First, the ice cream headache, which starts when you get in and lasts about 10 minutes. Second, the initial stage of the cremasteric reflex that produces what Verne refers to as "the turtle." The cremasteric reflex pulls the boyz up into the body to that you don't get semen-cicles. Then, the second stage of the cremasteric reflex kicks in. This is the ultimate protective mechanism for men where the cremasters pulls so hard that you end up with a mangina. Complete genital implosion! I haven't seen my fella since I got out and I don't think I will until PunxsutauneyPhil is laying out in the back yard in a wife beater downing a Coors.
From Jess Zellers . . .
Well if anything weird happened this past thrusday night, the Irregualars and myself would like to appoligize for it. We messed with the very fundamentals of the universe.... dinner did not arrive at Myerstown. We blew it, and we're sorry. So there was nothing to do but dive, and that's what we did!
Lately Tom Prichard and Gerhert have been spending alot of time over in the bowl, coming back with fantastic stories. I call them stories, because they don't match the reality the rest of us know the bowl at myerstown to be! Kulp and I have already spend alot of time looking for their 'mystery building' (which keeps moving and changing descriptions). There's still a question mark regarding the whole lost fin event. So thursday Kulp and me headed out to check on weither the bomb has been moved. We started out following Tom, Gerhert, and James. But decided we'd have better viz if we didn't. That was a good decission. After we go into clearer water, the bomb was found where they said it was. Althought now there's a disargeement as to the size of it.
Man-killing geese!!! Don't mess with any geese at myerstown, there's one goose there that'll mess you up!!!
From Uptown Jim Brown . . .
Oh what a lovely day for ice diving it was. Air temp in the low 30's with virtually no wind. I arrived on "Darth time" at BSC (but not without an obligatory courtesy call) to find Ron Lobb just smiling and saying take it easy, no problem. Only later did I find out he was up early enough to get a haircut and drive the one hour to BSC. I'm definitely not worthy. Ron and I signed in behind the two Steve's from York Divers who were out for their first ice dive since Dennie's cert class in Feb03.
We set up at upper A to be one with the environment and geared up to chop our access hole. S&S were already set up under the pavilions and proceeded to cut a hole in the lagoon. Karen and Lynn were their surface support. You can see from the pic they used sand on the ice for a stable walking path from shore to their access. The hole tender had a shore tender and a chair for R&R.
As we prepared to make our way to the bottom of the steep path, the good doctor Hirsch arrived to tackle the overhead environment one more time. We chipped our way through three inches of ice right at the bottom of the path. Warming temps and the rain thinned the ice farther out and we dared not test its limits. We made enough room to slither under the ice and enjoy the winter vis, running a continuous line from shore to the Pennsy. Two strobes were attached appropriately to aid in identifying the line. The good doctor managed our continuous line to the surface from that point as we enjoyed the dozer and deep boat. I snapped a few pics and Ron just looked pretty, and more. While it was dark at the bottom, water clarity is excellent as you can see in the pictures. Can't wait for the ice to go away! As for the vis, the dolphin tower is still visible from the Pennsy in the Bowl. The Smokey's Christmas tree remains intact, although horizontal on the platform. The tree is still secured to the cinder block. I suggest we wait until the ice clears before we hoist it up.
Upon our return to the Pennsy, Ron reached for my reel that was left behind since it fouled. Now he was just being a nice guy, since I was handling the camera, but as you can see on our safety hang, Ron is holding a fouled reel. So, who do you think gets blamed for the fouled reel? Certainly not its owner, a picture is worth a thousand dive tales. Ron is learning many new things since becoming scuba certified.
It was great to have Ron out as a newly certified ice diver. He's looking "reel" good in that new dry suit and is gaining valuable experience with every dive. Now we need to get him some dry gloves for that second dive. Thanks to the good doctor for joining the party as well. A nice 38 minute run to 95'. More bottom time is good!
Stay tuned for upcoming details on Wednesday night diving at BSC, beginning in May!
From Darth Vern . . .
Well what a week it has been!!!! People out diving all week and weekend - ICE is still over BSC!!!! Can still SQUEEZE the class in this year, I know we have one or two more people who are interested!!! We will be out this weekend diving. Looks like me and Rock on Sunday if anyone wants to join!!!!
AND my favorite author is back Mr. Tom Pritchard - oh how I missed his humor!!! He gave us a good one for his return! How many times in your life to get to read about the "mangina"? Absolutely NICE!!!!!
AND as rumor has it, our own Jim Brown and Cindy Lu have made arrangements with Streve at BSC for Wed Nite diving at BSC, starting in May. Details to follow but it seems like it might happen. SO now you have advance notice to clear your Wed evenings for this spring and summer!!!
Keep on diving and LIVE THE ADVENTURE!!!
|
|
||||
Home | Classes | Events | Equipment | Clothing | Instructors | Staff | Members
|
||||