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Free diving in Peppersause

Original Post
saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

OK we are psyched to dive in the lake at the end of the cave. We are going all free with 9 mm wet suits to do a little bit of surface exploring in the lake. My question is: has anybody done it in the lake and would like to share their experience? Is the water relatively clean to free dive in it? Is there a kit we can buy to test the water for its purity? Personal experiences only please.

Rogerlarock Mix · · Nedsterdam, Colorado · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 5

Well, my uncle Wayne gave me a coffee cup of pepper sauce (probably Tobasco) to drink as part of my indoctrination to deer camp.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974
saguaro sandy wrote:OK we are psyched to dive in the lake at the end of the cave. We are going all free with 9 mm wet suits to do a little bit of surface exploring in the lake. My question is: has anybody done it in the lake and would like to share their experience? Is the water relatively clean to free dive in it? Is there a kit we can buy to test the water for its purity? Personal experiences only please.
Untrained cave diving is a bad idea.

Why don't you do something sensible instead, like sew and fly your own wingsuit?
saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

We are experienced SCUBA and free divers. We have over 200 dives under our belts. Although no cert in cave diving, we were certified in San Diego, which is no fair weather dive spot. In this case we are not going with tanks. Just the surface of the floor exploring without going inside the underwater cave. That would require additional training. Talking about calculated risks: we know how to walk the line.

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Ask a Navy Master Diver on a military forum and you will have the only answer you need.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

You should at least learn how to spell 'Peppersauce' correctly for the accident report.

saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

Good point . Nice to know!

Lauer · · Duluth, MN · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 0

I've seen people pee in that lake and I'll bet you'll find a whole bunch of trash at the bottom. That being said I've also seen people swim in it and it didn't seem clear or at least sediment stirred up quickly. This is in the desert (north of Tucson, AZ for those who aren't familiar) so that lake (if it can be called that) can't be that extensive and looking at the rest of the cave there can't be anything down there that is that cool besides a dead body or two...feel free to report back with your findings though...I am curious and good luck.

I just remembered there is a grotto in Tucson who are fairly serious about caving. A little internet munging and you may be able to get in contact with them. They will have the answers to your questions.

Sdm1568 · · Ca · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 80

I am no dive expert, but I do have many hrs logged underwater between San Diego, Coronado islands, San Clemente, Ventura. Quite a bit of experience bluewater spearfishing, dive certs, etc...
First of all how much time do actually want to spend underwater while you're "free diving"? With a 9mm suit on you'll be fortunate to get underwater for 10 seconds even with quite a bit of weight on you. So it sounds like you want to snorkel and are curious about water quality?
Secondly, the whole experience would dependent on visibility especially if you're laying on top of the water sunbathing.
Thirdly, try not to urinate in your suit as it may affect the water quality tests you are considering. Good luck in your strange ventures and semi-ridiculous posts.

saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

The water is clear with a bit of thin layer of floaty stuff on top. The bottom is super easy to be stirred up though. So the first objective will be the entry point preferably off a rock and directly on the water trying not to touch the bottom. I usually wear about 16 pounds on me free diving so in this instance I wanna go light or even weight free first to be high on the surface maybe grabbing weights once we are already floating in the water..very carefully. The objective will be to skim the bottom which I estimated in the area of 10 ft without fins of course. This is gonna be like going a micro scoping surgery. I will try to get more feedback off forums and will post findings as we go.

saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140
saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140
saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

Sweet! I will post there too! Thanx!

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Have you ever been in zero vis? You scoobys are always doing crazy stuff.

saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

San Diego jetty at night while lobster hunting water 52 degrees, vis about 2 ft, kelp, rocks and surg all combined. Each dive lasted 45 to 58 min....

Taylor J · · Taos NM · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 390

I thought this was "mountain" project.....

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974
taylor januskiewiecz wrote:I thought this was "mountain" project.....
Since when have Ellenor's posts had anything remotely to do with what the rest of us consider climbing. Or reality, for that matter?
Taylor J · · Taos NM · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 390
Mark E Dixon wrote: Since when have Ellenor's posts had anything remotely to do with what the rest of us consider climbing. Or reality, for that matter?
This is true...
saguaro sandy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 140

The cave is IN the Mountain

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

Saguaro Sandy is Ellenor?

Taylor J · · Taos NM · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 390
NC Rock Climber wrote:Saguaro Sandy is Ellenor?
Yes and in regards to the cave being in the mountains it is still not climbing of any sort you are talking spelunking and diving...
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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