15 replies to this topic

[Brinybay]

4 of us were in attendance at the first Pacific Northwest Dive & Dine event. Keith, aka MNJoe, Colleen, aka gis_gal, Frank, aka fbp, and myself.

Well, we really did try hard to show Keith the best we have to offer as far as local shore diving, but he picked a bad weekend to come out. The diving around here is current sensitive and it was a big exchange this weekend. That is, the difference between the high and low tides dicates how strong the currents will be. Plus the fact that the wind seemed to be blowing hard everywhere. On the plus side, it was sunny and clear, although a bit chilly with the wind blowing.

Our original plan was to dive a place called 3-Tree Point in Burien, just south of Seattle, which is normally a relatively sheltered site. But the wind was blowing up some chop, and with the bad exchange, we opted for Seacrest Park, just across Elliot Bay from downtown Seattle. It isn't the most premier site, but guaranteed no current, and sometimes it can surprise you with gpo's, seals, sharks, and even a wolf-eel now and then.

Our dive profile was down to some old I-beams in 90fsw, then up to a wreck called the Honey Bear in about 40fsw. The visibility down deeper was actually fairly good by our standards, a good 20ft. Up in the shallower end it was a little murky, around 10ft. We spotted some squid eggs, ling cod, numerous seastars, anemones, and nudibranchs. Colleen and I opted out of a second dive while Frank and Keith went back in and dived a different part of the site.

Debriefing was held at Pegasus Pizza just down the road. Frank and Colleen have the pictures. They are out diving Hood Canal today (Sunday, 3-13), I opted out due to work considerations. Reports from other divers who were out there yesterday (Saturday, 3-12) don't sound good. Strong winds, bad surface conditions, poor visibility. I hope they have better conditions today. We'll find out later, along with the pics from Saturday.

[Marvel]

Aw, too bad, Greg- I hope that you guys at leasthad fun during the surface intervals!

[bluedolphin]

It was a great attempt, too bad you haven't learned to control the weather yet. Having lived in Portland for 7 years I know how things can be up that way, but it is oooooooh so pretty.

[WreckWench]

Sounds good so far...can't wait for the final reports from the diehards! And I'm looking forward to visiting you all myself! So were you all diving dry or wet? If the latter....my hats off too ya! Ya got bigger...uh...brains than I have!

[Brinybay]

Sounds good so far...can't wait for the final reports from the diehards! And I'm looking forward to visiting you all myself! So were you all diving dry or wet? If the latter....my hats off too ya! Ya got bigger...uh...brains than I have!

Keith was the only wet diver, the rest of us were dry.

[Cold_H2O]

Well here is the skinny on Sundays dive... It was the worst the PNW has to offer..
Vis was about 5 feet (Think diving thru a snow storm). But we did go in and attemtp to show off our stuff to Keith. Vis usually will clear up the further down you go but it was not to be. Vis at 70' was still 5 feet.
I had some ear trouble this weekend :dltears: .
Keith did say he had fun so I can't wait to here his report.. I will be getting the film in today and should be able to post my surface stuff later in the week..
Frank should have some great underwater shots.

[WreckWench]

You all are awesome! Even if the weather didn't cooperate! But that's the PNW for ya! -ww

[Brinybay]

You all are awesome! Even if the weather didn't cooperate! But that's the PNW for ya! -ww

We aren't too bothered by the above-water weather, just what's happening under the surface. As far as that goes, they probably had a nice, scenic drive out there and back. (DRIVE not DIVE).

[Cold_H2O]

We aren't too bothered by the above-water weather, just what's happening under the surface. As far as that goes, they probably had a nice, scenic drive out there and back. (DRIVE not DIVE).

Yes, great drive out, great lunch and we did see a pod of orcas across the water.
We did have lots of sea lions on our side of the canal...

[fbp]

Ok, finally got them up... photos that is...
Here's the link and a few copies down below..

http://www.poolesdiv...ys/0503_SDdive/

The Saying I use around here, WA, is :
If it's good above, It's Krap below
If it's Krap above, It's good below....

And this weekend bore that out...
Diving was pretty much average at Alki (Saturday dive) 10-15, better at depth
and the diving at Sund Rock, Hoodsport, apx 1.5 hours west of Seattle was Really Really bad...
Typically it breaks at around 20-30-40 ft... but this didn't even think about breaking up at 70 and since most of the kewl things are above 70 or so... it became a muck dive. Colleen went back and Keith and I slowly came back up along the bottom. Did see a small Grunt Sculptin and the usual suspects anemones, star fish and the Orcas... way across the bay... heheh... as noted, the orcas on one side the Seals, aka "LUNCH" were on this side... pretty darn close to shore mind you.. LOL... Seal Cocktails anyone...

But the overall weekend was fun and certainly great to meet new divers... regardless of the diving...

Enjoyed it, thanks Greg and Colleen and Keith for a fun weekend... and Nicolle?? Heheh... Yeah, right... (just joking) next time eh??

Here's what Sund Rock would normally look like:

a typical Dive Campout weekend trip:
http://www.poolesdiv...drock/index.htm

till the next time....

Attached Images

• 

Edited by fbp, 15 March 2005 - 12:38 PM.

[fbp]

and the most important part of the dive....

The best part... after the Alki dive..

Attached Images

• 

[Cold_H2O]

Thanks, The pics are wonderful, seems like only yesterday..
yep diving questionable, weekend fun.. 100%.

[Brinybay]

But the overall weekend was fun and certainly great to meet new divers... regardless of the diving...

Mega dittos to that! But who is the old guy in the hat? He looks a lot like my dad.

[Brinybay]

and the most important part of the dive....

The best part... after the Alki dive..

Great shots Frank! I got a kick out of the food and beverage close ups.

As you all can see, the pics back up what the reports said. That is, the above water mirth in this case was better than the diving. We'll have another shot at it end of April when Kamala is visiting. Hopefully the diving will be better, I can't imagine it being worse.

[fbp]

Like the above water shots??
then you'll like this one too...

(whoops already posted, oh Well... wth
...

Attached Images

•