The Ottawa Cave Rats do Florida - November 2007

[Tom Falardeau]

A few pictures from our recent trip to caves less travelled in Florida. One of the less travelled caves I recorded in pictures was Jug, in the heart of Ichitucknee Springs State Park. Gear has to be hauled over a 1.5km path from the parking lot to the spring, a back-breaking deal. But the cave is one of the prettiest around, not least because it is seldom visited.

JimC reeling in his line as he exits from the low restriction near the front end of the cave
http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/images/13/medium/1_IMG_0825_s.jpg

Marie floating in the cavern zone, waiting for the rest of us
http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/images/13/medium/1_IMG_0831_s.jpg

The exit hole from Jug, seen from the bottom of the cavern
http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/images/13/medium/1_IMG_0845_s.jpg

All pictures were taken with a Canon Rebel xti, using a Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens, in an Ikelite housing with a DS-125 and a DS-50 strobe. The photos have not been altered. You can see larger versions in the Gallery.

A photographic essay including Jug will be on Sanddiver Video's latest cave diving DVD which will feature video of dives at Little River and Cow Springs, and will be available at Burton's in 2008.

[marc g]

Great pics can't wait to see the rest.


A few pictures from our recent trip to caves less travelled in Florida. One of the less travelled caves I recorded in pictures was Jug, in the heart of Ichitucknee Springs State Park. Gear has to be hauled over a 1.5km path from the parking lot to the spring, a back-breaking deal. But the cave is one of the prettiest around, not least because it is seldom visited.

JimC reeling in his line as he exits from the low restriction near the front end of the cave
http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/images/13/medium/1_IMG_0825_s.jpg

Marie floating in the cavern zone, waiting for the rest of us
http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/images/13/medium/1_IMG_0831_s.jpg

The exit hole from Jug, seen from the bottom of the cavern
http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/images/13/medium/1_IMG_0845_s.jpg

All pictures were taken with a Canon Rebel xti, using a Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens, in an Ikelite housing with a DS-125 and a DS-50 strobe. The photos have not been altered. You can see larger versions in the Gallery.

A photographic essay including Jug will be on Sanddiver Video's latest cave diving DVD which will feature video of dives at Little River and Cow Springs, and will be available at Burton's in 2008.

[Neil]

Nice pictures Tom. Especially the second one, with the beam of light coming down into the cavern. I hope I can dive there some day.

[Tom Falardeau]

Nice pictures Tom. Especially the second one, with the beam of light coming down into the cavern. I hope I can dive there some day.

Neil, it's one pretty cave for sidemounters. Well worth a dive, if only once :D
. Nicest cavern zone of all the caves I've done so far. The Double Diamond restriction is kinda fun too. Just make sure you have a hand cart to get your gear to the pond, otherwise you'll be walking back and forth for an hour.

[Stephen]

Oh TOM

how much OW dives can someone do there. Meaning not beign Cave certified, which I am not...but are Caverns aundant for us non cavers...

I am planning on heading down there soon...( Florida )...Must plan to do some diving as I must also plan on entertainng my non diving wife...but she may snorkel...

any info mon cher TOM

[Tom Falardeau]

If you want to do OW dives in cave country, your options are a bit limited. Ginnie Springs allows OW divers in the Ballroom and in the run at Devil's. Troy Springs is OW only but has good depth. Manatee takes OW divers and is worth a dive or two. Peac0ck doesn't allow OW divers, Little River doesn't have a basin worth mentioning, Cow is restricted to Full Cave certified, Jug is too much of a haul and too shallow to justify an OW dive (and I believe OW divers aren't allowed anyways) and Madison doesn't allow OW divers. There are non-cave springs in Florida that are open to OW diving, but I have no experience or knowledge of them.

[Stephen]

Merci Tom...just got some info on the Florida trip. It will be a short 4 day trip. Fly in Friday and out Monday. So no caverns...Heading to Ft Lauderdale...got two buddy passes on West Jet - thanks to my sister whom works for them....so a quick warm up trip.

Anyone have ideas on the area. Got one or two days to play...

[Marie Falardeau]

www.scubaschool.com
Scuba School and Dive Center - PADI 5 star dive center and universal referral location (YMCA, PDIC, SSI, NAUI, IDEA, and NASDS). Plus rentals, sales, service, and air or nitrox fills. Fort Lauderdale, Southeast Florida.
found on:
http://www.dmoz.org/Recreation/Outdoors/Scuba_Diving/Regional/North_America/United_States/Florida/

[Marie Falardeau]

Many in Fort Lauderdale also show in this page:
http://www.101scubadiving.com/directory/floridadivingcenters.html

[JimC]

There is only one place I go in Ft Lauderdale. Not that I have been in a while, but Alisa used to drag me there before I found cave diving.

http://www.fillexpress.com/