{"id":1040,"date":"2023-07-01T03:15:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T08:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/?page_id=1040"},"modified":"2023-07-01T04:17:57","modified_gmt":"2023-07-01T09:17:57","slug":"may-19-21-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/exploration\/exploration-posts\/pastevents\/may-19-21-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"May 19-21, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

May 19-21, 2023 Trip Report<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>Submitted by Mike Gault<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A team consisting of myself, Christian Fjeld, Lucas Keenan, and new member Alex James made the trip to Del Rio Friday the 19th. Our main objectives for this trip were:<\/span><\/p>\n

1) Remove the propane tank and associated chain that was placed by unknown parties from the GSEP chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Perform a trial run deploying a descent chain that will provide a direct and continuous \u201cdownline\u201d into the cave \u2013 bypassing the NPS mooring chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Perform a trial run of removing gravel from the Well by using a lift bag.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am happy to report that we not only achieved all three objectives, but were also able to install a temporary pull line that bridges the gap between the Well and the restriction pull line that was severed in the Fire Hydrant Tunnel.<\/span><\/p>\n

We all made the trip Friday afternoon\/evening. Lucas had a room at Best Western. Christian, Alex, and I stayed at the Executive Inn. There seemed to be more Highway Patrol vehicles (DPS) in the area, presumably because of immigration detention overcrowding issues recently discussed in the media. Best Western seems to be the lodging of choice for the DPS.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their presence is nice from a security standpoint, but it may be difficult to continue getting rooms there, unless we make reservations sooner. The Executive Inn isn\u2019t quite as nice as the Best Western, but the room was large and the fold-out sofa allowed us to sleep three for about half the price for a single at Best Western.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were scattered thunderstorms throughout the weekend, but we were fortunate to avoid any bad weather while on the lake. Conditions were calm and the cloud cover made for relatively cool temperatures for May. The surface boil was barely noticeable.<\/span><\/p>\n

SATURDAY<\/span><\/p>\n

Dives 1\/2:<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian and Alex cut the chain that was connecting the propane bottle to the GSEP chain near the subsurface Norwegian float at the top of the ledge. As the buoyancy of the propane cylinder tried to float the chain, they realized the bridge line with the NPS anchor was attached. After cutting the bridge line free, the propane bottle and chain floated to the surface. The divers then surfaced and swam the propane bottle over to the BOG.<\/span><\/p>\n

On dive 2, the divers deployed 50\u2019 of lightweight zinc chain and four 40 cu ft deco bottles by attaching the zinc chain to the GSEP chain near the subsurface Norwegian float at the ledge and the bottles at their appropriate decompression depths (20\u2019 and 70\u2019). They also re-attached the bridge line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 3:<\/span><\/p>\n

Lucas and I descended to the entrance area. The upwelling was minimal. This was convenient because I was pulling a large basket we would use to contain the gravel we planned to remove from the Well. When we entered the clear water zone, we noticed a large school of large shad. During the dive, we would also observe two large striped bass. The presence of fish seems to be becoming the norm.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I made my way across to the well with the basket in tow, Lucas stopped briefly to ad an additional carabiner to the SWRI data sonde. When I arrived at the bottom of the Well, I placed the basket in the eddy and put a rock inside the basket to help hold it secure. Lucas then arrived with the minnow traps we would use as scoops to remove gravel from the well. We quickly filled the basket about \u00be full. We also filled a mesh \u201ccollection\u201d bag with a few pounds of gravel. After successfully filling both containers, we began our exit as planned. I carried the mesh bag to the entrance area and left it there for later removal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 4:<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 4 was originally intended to be Lucas and I lifting the basket of gravel to the surface. However, after experiencing what we perceived to be reduced flow on our first dive, we decided to attempt to reconnect the line that passes through the restriction. The descent to the Well was uneven\u019eul. According to plan, Lucas held in the Well while I headed down the Fire Hydrant Tunnel. Although the wooden dam appeared to be buried when viewed from the downstream side, I realized it was exposed on the upstream side \u2013 the gravel in the Well being flush with the dam, but the gravel in the Fire Hydrant Tunnel not being flush. The dam was sturdy enough I was able to use it to pull my upper body into the Fire Hydrant Tunnel, but I was not able to go much further. After struggling to crawl my way, I was not able to make it initially. I moved back into the eddy in the Well to reduce my breathing rate. After slowing my breathing rate, I decided to remove the large orange spool I was using to carry the rope I intended to tie to the pull line in the tunnel. After securing the spool in the well, I decided to test the flow again to see how much the spool may have been impeding my progress. Without the spool I could make progress into the tunnel (note: I\u2019m not sure if the spool was creating too much drag, or was snagging). It was only necessary to pass about a body length to get past a high flow choke point. Realizing that I could likely pull myself along the floor while carrying the loose end of the rope from the spool, I reached back with my right arm while holding in place. My hope was that Lucas would notice my hand and anticipate that I was asking for the rope. After a moment with nothing happening, I allowed the flow to push me back a couple feet in hopes Lucas was trying to pass me the rope, but I was out of his reach. After I moved back the short distance, Lucas placed the loose end of the rope in my hand. He did this even though it had not been previously discussed. It was good to see he was attentive enough to notice my move and to anticipate what I was asking for.<\/span><\/p>\n

After receiving the rope from Lucas, I pulled myself along the Fire Hydrant Tunnel floor and up to the pull line that was flapping in the flow. I then grabbed the pull line and tied the ropes together. After tying the ropes together, I allowed the flow to push me back to the Well where Lucas quickly tied the rope to the carabiner at the top of the Well. By this point, I was getting low on gas. So, we quickly made our exit. During my time in the tunnel, I noticed something on the floor, near the restriction toward the right side of the tunnel. It was difficult to make out in the distance, but it appeared to be a data sonde or other PVC pipe partially buried in the gravel. I tried to capture it in video, but after reviewing the video, it was too far away to be viewed in the video.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 5:<\/span><\/p>\n

On dive 5, Christian and Alex reinstalled the bridge line between the NPS anchor and the GSEP chain. After attaching the line, they retrieved the deco bottles and the downline chain and float.<\/span><\/p>\n

SUNDAY<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 1:<\/span><\/p>\n

On Dive 1 Christian and Alex deployed the downline chain and float and deployed deco bottles for Lucas and myself to use on the following dive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 2:<\/span><\/p>\n

The objective for Sunday dive 2 was to lift the basket from the Well to the surface. While on the way to the Well, Lucas grabbed a stage bottle we left in the cave the day before. This bottle was rigged as a lift bag inflation bottle. As Lucas grabbed the bottle and settled into the Well, I began preparing a lift bag. We were equipped with two lift bags. A yellow 100lb bag and an orange back of unknown capacity that is a little smaller than the yellow bag. Not knowing the weight of the basket contents, we purposefully started with the orange bag to gauge if it was sufficient. Lucas began filling the bag. When the bag seemed to be getting to the point it was providing a fair amount of lift on the basket, I asked Lucas to stop filling so I could test the deflate valve before attempting an actual lift. I was expecting to find the cord hanging just inside the bag. However, the bottom of the bag was pinched off due to tension on the bag. I was able to pull the opening apart and slip my hand inside the bag, but the cord was not where I expected. After reaching as far inside as I was comfortable given the size of the lift and the high flow, I decided to switch to the yellow bag. I dumped the air from the orange bag and began to stow it. As he did the day before, Lucas anticipated the next move and had the yellow bag at the ready by the time I had the orange bag stowed. We filled the yellow bag without incident and began our exit. Note regarding the orange lift bag: after we were back on the boat, Lucas checked the bag and found that the pull cord was bunched up near the top of the bag. This is a poor design and we probably won\u2019t use this one going forward, except maybe with modification.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lifting went surprisingly smooth. Lucas began lifting from the bottom of the Well and rose above the heaviest flow near the bottom. He moved the bag over the Grim Reaper and to the tire anchor. We paused briefly near the tire so I could add the mesh bag from the day before into the basket. We were fortunate the upwelling was minimal, this made the vertical lift out of the cave more manageable. At this point, our deco ceiling was about 30\u2019-40\u2019. So, we bypassed our 70\u2019 bottles and left the basket on the NPS concrete block where it would be picked up by Christian and Alex on the following dive. After leaving the basket behind, Lucas and I returned to our 70\u2019 bottles and began our ascent to our first deco stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive 3:<\/span><\/p>\n

On dive 3, Christian and Alex added a fuse line to the bridge line between the NPS anchor and the GSEP chain. This step was omitted on the previous day when the bridge line was re- installed. After adding the fuse line, the divers made their ascent with Alex lifting the gravel basket and Christian pulling the downline and float.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data Collection:<\/span><\/p>\n

We collected the usual data at Buoys 19 and 14 while on the return trip to Box Canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

LESSONS LEARNED<\/span><\/p>\n

Downline System<\/span><\/p>\n

The downline system worked great. It is worth noting, we had almost no wind. Given the scope in the NPS mooring at low lake levels, the surface swim from the boat to the downline may become long on windy days. We are playing that by ear. Also, the buoyancy of the surface float was plenty adequate for 4 small aluminum deco bottles, but may not be enough to support more deco bottles, miscellaneous gear, or a diver experiencing an emergency buoyancy issue. We may add a second Norwegian float next trip. If this ends up being a long-term solution, we may want to consider a foam filled float with sufficient buoyancy for max load. Christian and Alex also had some lessons learned regarding the deployment, rigging, and removal of the downline. We will include guidelines\/procedures when we update the diagram.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifting and Digging<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting the basket to the Well and filling it with gravel was surprisingly efficient. The limiting factor seems to be the distance and vertical change to get the basket out of the cave. We need to scale up the volume. The lift went smooth enough that I think we can consider trying to increase the size of the container and lift bag. Another option is to increase the number of baskets and divers, perhaps using a hand off system so reduce\/avoid \u201csaw toothing\u201d the profile. Another idea to ponder: once the gravel in the Well is initially removed, we may be able to install some sort of basket in the \u201cempty\u201d Well. This way, when the Well fills, we can remove the contents without digging. We plan to take Chuck\u2019s recommendation to increase the height of the dam after we have removed enough gravel to adequately inspect the existing dam.<\/span><\/p>\n

RECOMMENDATION<\/span><\/p>\n

It may be worth attaching a sign to our existing chain to discourage other divers from connecting. The presence of the propane bottle wasn\u2019t a major obstacle, but the time we spent dealing with it was somewhat significant when viewed in proportion to limited time we have to spend at the site throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Divers Alex James and Christian Fjeld with an estimated 100+ pounds of gravel removed from the Well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—– end —–<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

May 19-21, 2023 Trip Report Submitted by Mike Gault A team consisting of myself, Christian Fjeld, Lucas Keenan, and new member Alex James made the trip to Del Rio Friday the 19th. Our main objectives for this trip were: 1) Remove the propane tank and associated chain that was placed by unknown parties from the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":215,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"protect_children":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1040","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1040"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1056,"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1040\/revisions\/1056"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodenoughsprings.org\/gsep-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}