Newsgroup: it.hobby.scuba
Titolo: ed intanto a wakulla ...


Date: 2008/6/16
Subject: [gavinscooters] WKPP Wakulla Q-Tunnel Exploration - 25,776ft
To: 
wk...@gue.com
Cc: 
qu...@gue.com
, 
gavins...@yahoogroups.com
WKPP
Congratulations to each of you for your part in this past weekend's
successful exploration of Wakulla's Q-Tunnel. It had been more than 2
years since we discovered Q-Tunnel and we were eager to see where it
might go and whether it was the missing link south to the Gulf of
Mexico and Spring Creek Springs. It appears to be all that and then
some. It is difficult to put into perspective the amount of time,
effort and financial investment it took to make this past weekend's
dive a success. The planning effort began early this year with the
April, May and June setup/cleanup dives putting us in position to make
the most of this past weekend. In fact, the massive June 7 setup dive
really put us in position with the entire team going above and beyond
in less than optimal conditions in the cave and a grueling 24 hour+
schedule in the June heat. I could not be more proud of the group
after this weekend's accomplishments.
The Details:
Friday, June 13 at 10am, Jarrod Jablonski and I departed the surface
at Wakulla Springs for the 3 hour ride to the limit of southern
exploration in Q-Tunnel at 16,986ft (5,177m) from the entrance at an
average depth of 270ft (82m). Visibility in the cave system was worse
than expected but diveable so we pushed on using numerous scooters and
tanks staged on the June 7 dive. Upon reaching the limit of
exploration, we tied in and proceeded to explore and survey 8,790ft
(2,679m) of virgin cave passageway heading south-southwest towards the
Gulf of Mexico. At approximately 400 minutes into the dive we decided
to turn back and begin the 5 hour return trip to the entrance. The new
cave passageway is best described as a massive corridor style pipe
averaging 50ft high by 50-100ft wide with depths ranging from
250-285ft. No obvious connections to the surface or new sinkholes
were discovered (unfortunately). Total distance from Wakulla Springs
to the new limit of exploration is now 25,776ft (7,856m) firmly
establishing a new underwater cave diving distance record. We left
several full tanks in the cave system for use on the next exploration
push now in the planning process. In total we used 6 scooters and 300
cubic feet of 10% oxygen, 85% helium trimix each during the 700 minute
"in-cave" portion of the dive in addition to 6 separate gas mixes and
a separate Halcyon RB80 rebreather for decompression back to the
surface.
Upon returning to the entrance of Wakulla Springs, the dive time at
depth was approximately 700 minutes at an average depth of 260ft
(79m). The decompression obligation was another 16 hours to the
surface for a total in water time of 27 hours. The support team
executed flawlessly throughout the night and into Saturday afternoon.
We surfaced just after noon on Saturday to an excited support team and
a park full of swimmers and sunbathers. The Saturday morning cleanup
team of Jim Miller, Mark Messersmith and Scott Cox wrapped up the dive
plan with a 120min roundtrip to the first stage drop; successfully
retrieving 6 spent scooters and numerous tanks used on the dive. The
team surfaced around 6:30pm to finish off the weekend plan.
Huge thanks to the entire WKPP team, Halcyon Mfg, Extreme Exposure,
DUI, Scubapro and all those who supported the exploration effort both
directly and indirectly. Thanks to EKPP Project Director Reinhard
Buchaly for the 1:14 ratio RB80 exploration counterlungs. Thanks to
George Irvine for assistance and scooter support. Thanks to the June 7
setup teams of Marc Singer/David Rhea, John Rose/Mark Garland/Jim
Miller, and Terry Koritz/Jarrod Jablonski/Casey McKinlay. Thanks to
the surface and in water support teams including but certainly not
limited to Todd Leonard, Sonya Tittle, Shellie Foss, Curtis Baldwin,
Doug Mudry, Gene, Bill, Kell, David, Bernie, Frank, Ken, Erik, Aaron,
Kevin, Antonio, Diana, Dima, Graham, Ian, Chris, Tony, George, Jackie,
Carol, Corey, Renee, etc. Thanks to the Extreme Exposure staff
especially Paul Gore and Bryce Thompson for preparing more than 100
tanks of specialized gasses for the dives, preparing the safety
tanks/regs and supporting the onsite effort. Thanks to Brian Fugate
and the entire Wakulla Springs' park staff. Thanks to Dr. Todd Kincaid
for advice and assistance with the survey and mapping data.
I look forward to sharing the new map and data with you as soon as it
has been plotted. It never ceases to amaze me what this team can
accomplish and I am glad that when given the opportunity, Jarrod and I
are able to deliver on our portion of the plan. As expected, the
tunnel remains massive and wide open at the end and is waiting for our
return. Only 8 more miles to the Gulf.
On behalf of Jarrod as well, you guys are the best,
Casey McKinlay
Project Director
Woodville Karst Plain Project
www.wkpp.org

> in tanto questi mici mici cacchi cacchi inanellano un'altro record da paura
che vuoi che sia... 'na passeggiata
acqua calda, corridoi larghi, quasi 8 km, roba da bambini
li vorrei vedere al black hole all'isola... lì sì che si cagherebbero addosso
:-)
F.

 addosso
What about Elefante Bianco o Oliero, nearby Bassano del Grappa?
-- 
Ciao!
Luca

Filippo ha scritto:

non è tanto quello, è questo che a me strippa
"Upon returning to the entrance of Wakulla Springs, the dive time at
depth was approximately 700 minutes at an average depth of 260ft
(79m). The decompression obligation was another 16 hours to the
surface for a total in water time of 27 hours"
27 ore in acqua e non sempre in un habitat, 27 ore in cui non dormi hai 
le tue belle deiezioni da fare i cali di zucchero il mal di testa lo 
stress la voglia di chiudere gli occhi. io faccio fatica a tenere la 
concentrazione per 3-4 ore di fila e mi sembra inimmaginabile perchè lì 
non ti puoi mai mai fermare
L.

 27 ore in acqua e non sempre in un habitat
Scusate, posso fare una domanda da RdM? A che serve una roba del genere?
-- 
Ciao!
Luca

 Scusate, posso fare una domanda da RdM? A che serve una roba del genere?
stanno esplorando un sistema carsico che sembrava limitato per un 
progetto geologico ambientale che vede come partner scientifico 
l'università di fischio faschio amerregà. sembrava limitato ed invece è 
estremamente ramificato hanno già trovato la connessione con altri 
sistemi e ora cercano di trovare la connessione verso il mare
L.

 Scusate, posso fare una domanda da RdM? A che serve una roba del genere?
Da un punto di vista scientifico? Nulla che non si possa fare in altro 
modo. Figurati che si mappa il sottosuolo a 5.000-10.000 m di 
profondita' e non si manda giu' dei cristiani a vedere cosa c'e'.
Poi, certo, un record, anche se non serve a nulla, e' sempre un record, 
tanto di cappello a chi ha fatto l'impresa.

 tanto di cappello a chi ha fatto l'impresa.
negare tutto, negare sempre :-)))
e avanti il prossimo rosicone

 L.
dici che avranno avuto le labbra viola e le dita con le grinze?
oggesù
bambini FUORI DALL'ACQUA!!! che c'avete le labbra viola
F.

 dici che avranno avuto le labbra viola e le dita con le grinze?
a me con 3 ore in acqua altro che labbra viola, mi si stacca la pelle 
delle gengive contro il boccaglio
la fatica fisica e psichica di 27 ore in acqua coi livelli di attenzione 
  necessari per una cosa così sono impensabili. non è come fare un 
record in habitat monitorato da fuori
L.