Cascade Lake, Cascade, Idaho
January 23-25, 1998
Photos from Ice Diving at Cascade Lake 1998
Omni Divers 1997-98 Ice Diving StudentsBRIEFING: A logistical briefing was held Friday evening, January 23, in order to organize the gear, the students and instructor. The briefing was used to discuss procedures for the next days diving.
DRIVING: We left Boise at 8 am and drove north on Idaho State Highway 55. We arrived at Cascade Lake around 10 am.
ARRIVAL: We first surveyed the parking area and jump off point. We spoke to several residents of the area regarding weather, snow and ice conditions. We made a very careful approach to the ice although we saw numerous tracks across the ice. The footprints were fairly slushy when they were formed but because of the early hour they had not remelted. The previous several days had been very warm. An area orientation was held and then assignments were given for duties which needed to be accomplished prior to ice diving.
ICE TESTING: Upon determining the ice would hold several people we traversed across the ice at least 150 feet from shore. We drilled a test hole and dropped a line with a weight to determine depth. We found the test hole was over a depth of 45 feet. We then moved 100 feet from the test hole toward the nearest point on the shore and drilled a second test hole. The depth below the second hole was 35 feet.
OPENING HOLE: Permission was given to expand the first hole to an 11 by 11 by 11 foot triangularly shaped hole. In addition, a twenty foot area around the hole was scraped and cleared of snow. After the hole was mostly completed, a 6-foot metal bar was used to chop/sever the center piece of ice from the edge. Then the free piece was pushed under the edge of the ice closest to shore.
SPOKES OF WHEEL: While the individual was cutting the hole with the chain saw, several others of the dive crew shoveled paths bisecting the sides of the triangle. Also three additional lines were dug radiating out from the corners of the hole and equal distant from the other lines. Basically, we formed an outline of a wheel with the hub of the wheel being the triangular hole and the lines being the spokes. To connect the spokes, a circular line was shoveled at a radius of 50 feet and 100 feet from the hole. At the intersections we shoveled two six-foot long lines in the form of arrows pointing either toward a spoke or toward the hub (toward the opening in the ice).
SHELTER: A tent and tarp over a frame were set up in between the scraped lines for storage of dry gear and to keep the participants out of the wind and weather.
OTHER GEAR: Other gear was brought down, tanks, extra tanks, ice diving harnesses, carabineers, ropes for the divers, heater, extra clothes, personal scuba diving gear, etc.
ASSIGNMENTS: Dive teams were designated. Team One would go in first (consisting of the first two divers who signed up to take this class), Team Two (the remaining two divers from the first group to sign up) would safety for Team One, Team Three would tend Team One and Team Four would assist with everything else. On the first series of dives the ice diving instructor would go down with each and every team. During the second series of dives a certified ice diver would go down with each team. Duties between the instructor and certified ice diver were shared even more on the second day of diving with the instructor going in with the first two teams and the previously certified ice diver going in with the second two teams. Seven divers completed the training and are now eligible to assist with the next class February 20-22 and/or March 20-22, 1998.
MONITORING: Special care was provided to the instructor and the certified ice diver to monitor their air supply, body temperature and overall well being. All of the divers were monitored and special attention was given to the newer divers and those with less diving experience. We had one non-diver and two other divers which were not participating in the underwater training sessions which volunteered for surface support, and their help was greatly appreciated.
OVERALL SATURDAY RESULTS: Very successful series of dives under the ice. All divers completed the minimum requirements (two training dives per day) for the number of dives needed and several just plain added more ice dives to their log books.
LODGING: We took over the Long Valley Motel in Donnelly, Idaho, by renting all seven rooms. They were satisfactory and we needed a good rest.
DINNER: We drove into town and ate at McCall's Microbrewery. Really good food, refreshments and ice diving/diving discussions.
OVERALL SUNDAY RESULTS: One diver, on Sunday, completed his 100th dive. Congratulations, Nick Wang. Most everyone completed two more dives (only one was actually required) just because they were having a great time.
BREAKING CAMP: As the fourth team was finishing diving, the first team started picking up their personal gear. After all teams had completed the diving, the gear was packed up and carried to the vehicles. As a safety precaution, three dead tree branches were placed around the hole with yellow 'danger' flaging draped around the trees to warn any individuals of the potential hazard the hole might pose. The block of ice which was removed to allow entry under the ice was replaced and pushed back up and into the hole. This aids in refreezing and making the area solid again.
DRIVE HOME: We had a safe trip home.
THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED AND SEE YOU IN FEBRUARY AT PAYETTE LAKE, MCCALL, IDAHO: Signed Phillip E. Graf
For Ice Diving February 20-22 Payette Lake, McCall, Idaho,
For Ice Diving Schedule for 1998,
For Ice Diving Information for 1998,
For Ice Diving Schedule for 1999,