8/10/2013 Mayan Pyramid by Gary Banta

[ghbanta]

8/10/2013 Mayan Pyramid by Gary Banta -- [View in Reports Page]

Bottom Team:	Gary Banta, Gregory Nyce, Andrew Yasinsky
Visibility:	8' - 70'	Time:	11:30 AM
Temp:	50F	Surge:
Scooter:	Gavin Short	Burn Time:	1:00
Max Depth:	100FSW	Avg Depth:	65FSW
Bottom Time:		Total Time:	1:50
Bottom Gases:	EAN32	Deco Gases:
Backgas Config:	Double HP100	Deco Tanks:
Deco Profile:
Andrew, Greg and I dove the west today at Lobos. I am working on building up visual memories of the previously un-mapped territories to prepare for painting the model. On our way we visited "the sisters". I believe the lore passed down when I started diving Lobos was that there were 3 sisters. Even though I have been there many times I have never resolved -- if there are three sisters, which ones were the actual three -- because there are really 5 structures of various sizes in the vicinity. I suspect that Beto or JT or Alan actually named the structures. So Beto, how many Sisters are there and which ones are which? I numbered them Conditions today where highly variable. Inside of 40' vis was about 8'-10. HITW was 20. Sisters were 70'. and most of the path to the west was 50'. We explored some new territory that is in the area of the dotted line on the path followed. The line follows a very narrow and deep crack between to parallel bluffs, opening to very cool areas. Parts feel very cave-like. We looped around the bluff and returned to the opening and then transited over to the East face of Marcos Pinnacle. The channel to the south is very narrow and opens to a cave-dark open area. At the South is a pinnacle that breaks the surface that is shaped like a Mayan Pyramid. Andrew, Suz and I visited and circumnavigated it several months ago in stellar conditions that permitted seeing the whole shape. In front of it is a smaller structure, beautifully decorated that we circled around. At this point we called the dive and returned to the Whalers. For a day with very low expectations it was extremely nice. (See, I can write more that one or two words!!) Here are some 3D maps http://www.baue.org/images/galleries/v/local/mayan/