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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0016_01C05DD8.94C17780 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 Matterhorn =20 =20 We have finally successfully completed a trip to the elusive = Matterhorn!!!!!! We once again teamed up with Captain Tim Burke of the = Great Escape for a Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber benefit trip with our = destination this time being the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is a series = of pinnacles that lies ~ 45 miles off San Pedro between Santa Barbara = and Annacapa Islands. Given the remoteness of the site, the = unpredictable weather patterns, the strong currents and the extreme = depths this is a site that is not often visited, in fact, I have had = several trip cancelled in the last 7 years that I have been trying to = dive her. We monitored the swell models throughout the week leading up = to Saturday's excursion and we watched the swells creep down from a = Wednesday high of 10' -12' to Friday's prediction of 2' - 4'. =20 As we approach the high pinnacle at 165' we anxiously awaited as Captain = Tim expertly anchored directly atop the high pinnacle. The seas are = flat calm, less than 1' of swells, and it finally sinks in that we are = probably going to make it this time. While Tim is navigating the boat = we are pleased to see three gray whales frolicking about 50 yards off = the starboard side. The whales seem just as intrigued by us as we do by = them and the hang about for atleast 15 minutes. By now we are anchored = and are hoping to see our friends down under. =20 =20 We send the first team in at 8:00am after we allow time for preparing = the breakaway deco station, rig up lines and prepare the boat for any = possible emergencies. We are in the middle of nowhere so we attempt all = precautions possible in the event of a problem. The first team's goal = is to insure that the anchor is affixed properly and then enjoy the = dive. All the best laid plans. About 9 minutes into the first teams = dive the anchor breaks loose but fortunately all team members = immediately recognize the problem and are close enough to the anchor to = get hold and complete a drifting deco on the line. I wasn't part of the = first team so I'll allow those members to provide their accounts, but no = one indicated that they were ever in any sort of problem. It was simply = a dive fallen short due to a slipped anchor. =20 After we get everyone on board its time for my dive. My team consisted = of myself and John Walker with Terry May acting as support diver. Terry = agreed to forego an opportunity to join us in order to increase our = safety margin. Thank you Terry May!!!! =20 Our dive plan is 350' for 15 minutes. After several conversations with = Jarrod Jablonski we agreed upon a mix of 10/70. JJ was very generous = with his time as we developed contingency plan after contingency plan so = I wanted to take a minute and publicly acknowledge JJ's efforts. As I = noted above the site is so remote so contingency planning is of the = utmost importance. One of my concerns after we anchored was that the = surface visibility was somewhat limited due to a fog bank that = stubbornly hung around during the day. To the extent anyone missed the = anchor line search efforts may have been impaired by the limited vis. =20 Early reports from the first team indicated substantial visibility but a = fierce current. Our plan was to descend the anchor after Captain Tim = re-set it and secure the anchor and then continue down the pinnacle. = The anchor was draped over the pinnacle at 165' and sat in 195'. She = sat precariously at the edge of a ridge so it took a minute or so to get = her adjusted safely. This, of course, ate into our preciously limited = bottom time. However, as we descended the line the pinnacle came into = focus at ~ 90' with bright red, orange, purple anemones illuminating the = landscape. Our HID lights only served to further lighten up the = expanse. As we continued our descent I kept awaiting for the colors to = fade and the reef to thin out. Fortunately this would never come to = fruition. The corals never depleted and in fact grew in size and color = the deeper we went, nor did the generous supply of abundance disappoint = us in any way. At ~ 250' we encountered a football field size shelf = that resembled a garden patch with all sorts of different colors, the = reds mixed with yellows, whites, purples sprinkled with white metridiums = and scallops the size of large dinner plates. I remarked after the dive = that the visual was very comparable to the wealth of life that cover's = the oil rig pilings if you have ever had the opportunity to dive the = rigs here in SoCal. This reef greatly resembled in scope the heavily = encrusted nature of a piling. The marine life was abundant but I admit = to expecting (or hoping) to see larger than normal marine life but while = there was larger groups of life they were about the same size as the = marine life that we normally see in other reefs in and around Southern = California. =20 The current was screaming at various points on our dive and made for = some interesting challenges. From the surface to ~ 100' the current was = nearly non-existent. From ~ 100' - 225' the current was ripping and it = was only when we were able to duck behind a shelf at 225' did the = current subside and from here to 300' it was a pleasant, easy and = enjoyable exploration of the reef. The majority of my deep exploration = efforts involve wrecks and I clearly remember my thoughts when the reef = came into vision. Usually as we descend we keep looking for a chunk of = mangled up metal to come into focus, but on this dive, coupled with the = 100' vis we enjoyed, the reef sprang upon us like a welcomed breath of = air with colors and life that are clearly distinguishable from the = outline of a wreck that I am usually focusing in on at these depths. = The difference was clear as was the welcome freedom to explore a reef = that only a handful of people have ever explored at these depths. Sadly = our available bottom time had arrived upon us and it was time to begin = the slow and dilatory ascent to the surface. I recorded a bottom water = temp of 46 degrees with a surface temp. of 57 degrees and as noted we = estimated 100' + vis with mild to strong currents. As we switched to = our 190' (19/25) bottles the current was so strong that both Walker and = I were like flags flying in the wind while tied off to the line. Terry = had arrived at the pre-determined depth and time exactly as planned = (120') and remarked later that even he was able to enjoy the pinnacle = from that depth. By the time we got to our 20' stop, and had handed off = all our deco bottles Walker and I were able to complete the deco absent = the need for a line on the anchor. No currents, no swells and we = floated under the boat and my vivid recollections were that we had just = done a great dive, we were blessed with great conditions and all I could = think of is when can I get here again?????? =20 Special thanks to my buddy John Walker who is a joy to dive with at = these depths, Captain Tim Burke and the expert crew of the Great Escape = who instill a sense of confidence during dives of this nature and his = contributions to the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, Terry May for = expertise as support diver and the entire group that helped raise much = needed funds for the Chamber. =20 Thanks guys and girls.. =20 Regards=20 ------=_NextPart_000_0016_01C05DD8.94C17780 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; = charset=3Diso-8859-1"> <META content=3D"MSHTML 5.50.4134.600" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff> <DIV> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D=20 "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <H1>Matterhorn</H1> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>We have finally successfully completed a trip to = the elusive=20 Matterhorn!!!!!!<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We once = again=20 teamed up with Captain Tim Burke of the Great Escape for a Catalina = Hyperbaric=20 Chamber benefit trip with our destination this time being the = Matterhorn.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Matterhorn is a series of = pinnacles=20 that lies ~ 45 miles off San Pedro between Santa Barbara and Annacapa=20 Islands.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Given the = remoteness of=20 the site, the unpredictable weather patterns, the strong currents and = the=20 extreme depths this is a site that is not often visited, in fact, I have = had=20 several trip cancelled in the last 7 years that I have been trying to = dive=20 her.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We monitored the = swell models=20 throughout the week leading up to Saturday’s excursion and we = watched the swells=20 creep down from a Wednesday high of 10’ –12’ to = Friday’s prediction of 2’ –=20 4’.</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>As we approach the high pinnacle at 165’ we = anxiously awaited=20 as Captain Tim expertly anchored directly atop the high pinnacle.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The seas are flat calm, less = than 1’ of=20 swells, and it finally sinks in that we are probably going to make it = this=20 time.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>While Tim is = navigating the=20 boat we are pleased to see three gray whales frolicking about 50 yards = off the=20 starboard side.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The = whales seem=20 just as intrigued by us as we do by them and the hang about for atleast = 15=20 minutes.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By now we are = anchored and=20 are hoping to see our friends down under.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>We send the first team in at 8:00am after we allow = time for=20 preparing the breakaway deco station, rig up lines and prepare the boat = for any=20 possible emergencies.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We = are in the=20 middle of nowhere so we attempt all precautions possible in the event of = a=20 problem.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The first = team’s goal is=20 to insure that the anchor is affixed properly and then enjoy the = dive.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All the best laid = plans…<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>About 9 minutes into the first = teams=20 dive the anchor breaks loose but fortunately all team members = immediately=20 recognize the problem and are close enough to the anchor to get hold and = complete a drifting deco on the line.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN>I wasn’t part of the first team so I’ll allow those = members to provide=20 their accounts, but no one indicated that they were ever in any sort of=20 problem.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was simply a = dive=20 fallen short due to a slipped anchor.</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>After we get everyone on board its time for my = dive.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My team consisted of myself = and John=20 Walker with Terry May acting as support diver.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Terry agreed to forego an = opportunity to=20 join us in order to increase our safety margin.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thank you Terry May!!!!</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>Our dive plan is 350’ for 15 minutes.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After several conversations = with Jarrod=20 Jablonski we agreed upon a mix of 10/70.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN>JJ was very generous with his time as we developed contingency = plan after=20 contingency plan so I wanted to take a minute and publicly acknowledge = JJ’s=20 efforts.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As I noted above = the site=20 is so remote so contingency planning is of the utmost importance.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One of my concerns after we = anchored was=20 that the surface visibility was somewhat limited due to a fog bank that=20 stubbornly hung around during the day.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN>To the extent anyone missed the anchor line search efforts may = have been=20 impaired by the limited vis.</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>Early reports from the first team indicated = substantial=20 visibility but a fierce current.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> = </SPAN>Our plan was to descend the anchor after Captain Tim re-set it = and secure=20 the anchor and then continue down the pinnacle.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The anchor was draped over the = pinnacle=20 at 165’ and sat in 195’.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> </SPAN>She sat=20 precariously at the edge of a ridge so it took a minute or so to get her = adjusted safely.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This, of = course,=20 ate into our preciously limited bottom time.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, as we descended the = line the=20 pinnacle came into focus at ~ 90’ with bright red, orange, purple = anemones=20 illuminating the landscape.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> = </SPAN>Our HID=20 lights only served to further lighten up the expanse. As we continued = our=20 descent I kept awaiting for the colors to fade and the reef to thin = out.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fortunately this would never = come to=20 fruition.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The corals = never depleted=20 and in fact grew in size and color the deeper we went, nor did the = generous=20 supply of abundance disappoint us in any way.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At ~ 250’ we encountered = a football=20 field size shelf that resembled a garden patch with all sorts of = different=20 colors, the reds mixed with yellows, whites, purples sprinkled with = white=20 metridiums and scallops the size of large dinner plates.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I remarked after the dive that = the=20 visual was very comparable to the wealth of life that cover’s the = oil rig=20 pilings if you have ever had the opportunity to dive the rigs here in=20 SoCal.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This reef greatly = resembled=20 in scope the heavily encrusted nature of a piling.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The marine life was abundant = but I admit=20 to expecting (or hoping) to see larger than normal marine life but while = there=20 was larger groups of life they were about the same size as the marine = life that=20 we normally see in other reefs in and around Southern California.</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>The current was screaming at various points on our = dive and=20 made for some interesting challenges.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN>From the surface to ~ 100’ the current was nearly = non-existent.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>From ~ 100’ – = 225’ the current was=20 ripping and it was only when we were able to duck behind a shelf at = 225’ did the=20 current subside and from here to 300’ it was a pleasant, easy and = enjoyable=20 exploration of the reef.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> = </SPAN>The=20 majority of my deep exploration efforts involve wrecks and I clearly = remember my=20 thoughts when the reef came into vision.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN>Usually as we descend we keep looking for a chunk of mangled up = metal to=20 come into focus, but on this dive, coupled with the 100’ vis we = enjoyed, the=20 reef sprang upon us like a welcomed breath of air with colors and life = that are=20 clearly distinguishable from the outline of a wreck that I am usually = focusing=20 in on at these depths.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> = </SPAN>The=20 difference was clear as was the welcome freedom to explore a reef that = only a=20 handful of people have ever explored at these depths.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sadly our available bottom = time had=20 arrived upon us and it was time to begin the slow and dilatory ascent to = the=20 surface.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I recorded a = bottom water=20 temp of 46 degrees with a surface temp. of 57 degrees and as noted we = estimated=20 100’ + vis with mild to strong currents.<SPAN = style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20 </SPAN>As we switched to our 190’ (19/25) bottles the current was = so strong that=20 both Walker and I were like flags flying in the wind while tied off to = the=20 line.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Terry had arrived = at the=20 pre-determined depth and time exactly as planned (120’) and = remarked later that=20 even he was able to enjoy the pinnacle from that depth.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By the time we got to our = 20’ stop, and=20 had handed off all our deco bottles Walker and I were able to complete = the deco=20 absent the need for a line on the anchor.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: = yes"> =20 </SPAN>No currents, no swells and we floated under the boat and my vivid = recollections were that we had just done a great dive, we were blessed = with=20 great conditions and all I could think of is when can I get here = again??????</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>Special thanks to my buddy John Walker who is a joy = to dive=20 with at these depths, Captain Tim Burke and the expert crew of the Great = Escape=20 who instill a sense of confidence during dives of this nature and his=20 contributions to the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, Terry May for = expertise as=20 support diver and the entire group that helped raise much needed funds = for the=20 Chamber.</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>Thanks guys and girls….</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal>Regards </P></DIV></BODY></HTML> ------=_NextPart_000_0016_01C05DD8.94C17780-- -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. 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