SpearMax
06-21-2008, 06:56 PM
I have been a member of the Explorers Club based in New York City. I just received this report that I thought was a pretty interesting read.
WKPP
News release from our newest members Casey McKinlay and Jarrod Jablonski.
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
WKPP
News release from our newest members Casey McKinlay and Jarrod Jablonski.
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