Ice Diving 2010
February 13 & 14
I have been curious about ice diving for a couple years.
In December, I finally made up my mind; there's no way
I would do it. I was comfortable with my decision. I don't
have to say "yes" to every damn thing. I was in Just Add
Water filling my tanks or some mundane thing and I let
Kevin O'Brien talk me into it. "Take ice diving and be my
buddy" he said. I drove home with my ice diving textbook
and I was already having second thoughts. Not because
I didn't think it would be fun. I just knew it would be
cold. In September I dove off the coast of South America.
I like warm water diving. I knew several of the guys who
would be there including the instructor, Patrix. I've
dived with Chuck often and Randy has been my instructor
on several certifications including dive master.
Despite the cold, it was a blast.
This is the entry by the crusher.
Jeff, Chuck, Mike & Karl.
Kevin - tending. I think Mike and Karl are on the other end of the line.
Mike, Jeff, Kevin, Chuck, Karl
Jeff and Chuck prepare for their final dive.
Jeff and Chuck
Chuck before the dives
It was cold. I wore most of my ski gear as long as I could. My hands are in my pockets. The orange hands hanging in front are from my drysuit. I haven't donned the top half yet.
Kevin
This was about an hour before our first dive.
Randy cleared the sidewalk with his feet and a car snow brush.
Brushing off the steps
Randy is cutting the ice with his specially modified chain saw. Randy is an animal with the saw. Chuck was probably the warmest with his gumby suit and rabbit lined hat.
Sunday was Valentine's Day so Randy made a heart hole. It looked great from below.
Jeff and Chuck descend.
I was tending for Chuck and Jeff. Chuck signalled for me to pull him in. He had attached a bowling ball to the line. Patrix Heschel is checking out Chuck's handiwork.
After all the dives, we slide the cutout back into place. The hole gets larger from the relatively warm air bubbles from our exhalations.
Gearing up on Saturday.
Waiting my turn for my first dive.
Lots of people ask for pictures from under the ice. I didn't take my camera so I stole these pictures that were posted on Whitestar Quarry's website. You can see how the cutout is slid away.
Isn't that awesome?
