GSX - Whale Video - Page 46

I am diving up there this year no matter what. I keep saying that and get talked into fishing all day every fricken year.

Yes...put the fishing pole down and come to the dark side....

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Won't be too dark if I get my new flashlight soon. Warranty return waiting on the new one.

Won't be too dark if I get my new flashlight soon. Warranty return waiting on the new one.

 

Awesome dude.

Looking forward to diving with you this year!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Here's a few pics and two vids...the first one was the best diving conditions I've ever had up there...second one was the worst.   

I remember both of those days very vividly 

Worst visibility i ever dove was at shelter cove. It was me,bloodbath and Dr. habenero. We managed a few abs but it was tough. Maybe 1 foot of lateral visibility on bottom.

Which day for the hike and dive?  Wednesday is a little better for the timing of the low tide but its getting pretty far off the date of the event and I'm not sure how many people are going to still be around.  Monday would be good if it wasn't for the ridiculous 8am start time.

I'm still planning a shuttle hike - moonlight Saddle Mountain TH down Buck Creek trail then down the beach to Gitchell to meet the folks that hike up from black sands.  3000+ft elevation loss from the TH to the beach over ~4.5 miles by moonlight to the dawn.  Oh yeah.

Sounds like we should shoot for Tuesday then, Doug.

If the swell is over 8' I think the diving part will be questionable, but the hike is worth it as long as it's not raining or significantly windy.

My plan will be to leave the Black Sands Beach parking lot area by 6AM - that should put us at Gitchell Creek by 730.  The tide is at 748, so we'll get in the water, look for some urchins and scallops until 8AM, then start abaloneing.

For those who want more of a sure thing for meat, consider going abalone diving at Shelter Cove - out in front of and south of the lighthouse is a good place.

Gitchell Creek is a trophy abalone location.  There aren't lots of abs, but many 10's have come out of there.  Leaving the smaller ones is a good way to keep this special place a perpetual trophy area.

I'd be glad to dive with anyone who comes along, and I love to coach and give advice.  The diving is likely to be less than 12', low visibility (we'll hope for two to three feet!), and dealing with some level of swell.  It's not beginning diving, but it's not dangerous to those who have some experience in the ocean.

Is this the same spot as the GS8 hike and dive?

Is this the same spot as the GS8 hike and dive?

Yes.

Which day for the hike and dive?  Wednesday is a little better for the timing of the low tide but its getting pretty far off the date of the event and I'm not sure how many people are going to still be around.  Monday would be good if it wasn't for the ridiculous 8am start time.

I'm still planning a shuttle hike - moonlight Saddle Mountain TH down Buck Creek trail then down the beach to Gitchell to meet the folks that hike up from black sands.  3000+ft elevation loss from the TH to the beach over ~4.5 miles by moonlight to the dawn.  Oh yeah.

I'm interest let's chat on Saturday or Sunday if you have room.  Otherwise I'm planning a GS8 repeat on Monday.
Would love to do a Tuesday or Wednesday but currently very doubtful with my schedule.

I'm planning a GS8 repeat on Monday.

Let's keep talking about this.  I see it coming down to ocean conditions.  If it's less than a 6' swell we're looking at being able to dive at 8AM even if the tide's coming in on us...

I want to make it accessible to more people/closer to the event weekend, so I'm leaning toward shooting for Monday.

AbMan - I want to hang with you - thank you for laying out your availability. 

Bottom line for me:  if it's flat I'll go Monday and/or Tuesday.  Last year I was still working my salmon trolling obsession on Monday...

Can't wait to have to make that choice. 

With all due respect I have something to say about GS rules to attend.  I have been biting my tongue for a couple years about this event that I would like to attend.  I understand you have a rule that in order to attend you either must have attended a GS in the past or get a sponsor from someone who has.  I think you established this rule because some people were just coming up for the grand prize and not contributing to the potluck and family atmosphere.  I get it.  But if the grand prize is no longer a big draw, than maybe too is the problem that used to exist. 

If this event is not open to all why post it on here for all to see? 

Anybody want to sponsor me?  I promise to bring something for the potluck.       

 

With all due respect I have something to say about GS rules to attend.  I have been biting my tongue for a couple years about this event that I would like to attend.  I understand you have a rule that in order to attend you either must have attended a GS in the past or get a sponsor from someone who has.  I think you established this rule because some people were just coming up for the grand prize and not contributing to the potluck and family atmosphere.  I get it.  But if the grand prize is no longer a big draw, than maybe too is the problem that used to exist. 

If this event is not open to all why post it on here for all to see? 

Anybody want to sponsor me?  I promise to bring something for the potluck.       

 

No, that was not the impetus for the rule and was a problem at a different tournament, not GS. 

The impetus for the rule was because someone behaved badly and so now, in addition to safety of the participant during the event, the rule is in place to make sure that there is someone besides the tournament organizer that can be looked to to control or at least talk to a drunk/unruly participant.

So the rule is in place for someone to vouch that you aren't an asshole and that tournament organizers can look to that person to straighten out any problems.  Tournament organizers have other things to worry about that someone causing problems at the campground or elsewhere.

Hopefully armed with this new information, you can understand and appreciate why this rule is in place.

In summary

the rule is in place for someone to vouch that you aren't an asshole