Christmas Eve Diving Alaska Style

[Dmitchell]

So, My buddy Josh brought his family home from Ft. Benning for Christmas. He asked months ago if we could get a dive in since all he's been able to do in GA and FL has been teaching and a few shallow caves. So we were diving regardless of the weather!

So Josh, Bill, Phil and I met at my shop and planned our dive and decided on Amalga Harbor for certain even though it was a 20 mile drive and we had about 8" of new snow. By the time we got out to the harbor it was more like 14". Here are some shots from the dive.

By the way! Josh is in Seattle as of today doing his rEvo class with Mel (scubagrunt) so if you see them out at Al-Ki Say Hi!

Amalga Harbor:


Harbormaster - cleared us a place to park out of his way.


Gearing up:




Josh and I - I was experimenting with the ankle weights - testing my trim with the KISS.


Josh Excited about a real dive! and his hopefully last OC dive for Awhile!


It was a great dive! I was nearly attacked by a GPO! You'd have to see the video to believe it!

Dave

[Tom Nic]

Awesome pictures Dave! Thanks for posting them!

Oh, and we want to hear the story about your encounter with the GPO, and would Love to see the video if you have time!

[Dmitchell]

I swam over a big rock and it was just sitting there. Flashed my buddies to come look. About that time a sealion showed up and I turned to watch the lion and my buddy Phil starts waving at me to turn around! I turned just as the Octo was about on me! I reached out and it's tenacle rubbed across my hand and then it turned and headed back to it's den. Really cool!

[Burntchef]

what time will he be at alki tommorow dave? might be able to drive down and snap a few pics.

[Curt McNamee]

Josh at Mukilteo in rEvo training with Mel Clark on Saturday, they will be at Cove II on Sunday

[Tom Nic]

More cool pics! Thanks for posting Curt... it's fun to follow along.

[Curt McNamee]

Josh and Mel during rEvo pool training on Saturday.

[Dmitchell]

Here's the link to the Video of the Christmas Eve Dive -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPBf13JWC4g

Dave

[no excuses]

great vid. loved it !!

[defied]

Wow! Best vid evar!

You've got sea lion messing with fools, and a GPO going for the gusto! Awesome!

[smike]

I enjoyed that video more than just about any I have ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing it. Looks cold! I may have to make my way up there. I was really impressed with the visibility.

S'Mike

[Dmitchell]

I enjoyed that video more than just about any I have ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing it. Looks cold! I may have to make my way up there. I was really impressed with the visibility.

S'Mike

Thanks!

The vis isn't always that good but winter is best!

Dave

[Curt McNamee]

Dave- Wait till you see Josh's new DiveX Cuda !!!!!! He won't have any $$$$ left by the time he finally leaves us.

[Dmitchell]

Yea, he keeps emailing me with little tidbits! He better be careful, His better half will give him a serious A$$$ kicking!

[Sounder]

Yea, he keeps emailing me with little tidbits! He better be careful, His better half will give him a serious A$$$ kicking!

I heard it doesn't count if you buy stuff in a different area code from your wife.

Dave - I'm impressed with that snow diving. I've certainly dived in the snow, but not that kind of snow. I don't like snow diving, but I'll tolerate it if the mood strikes me. I'm impressed at your drive and motivation. :hello2:

[Curt McNamee]

Yea, he keeps emailing me with little tidbits! He better be careful, His better half will give him a serious A$$$ kicking!

I know, he has a very serious thinking type look on his face all the time now

[Sounder]

Yea, he keeps emailing me with little tidbits! He better be careful, His better half will give him a serious A$$$ kicking!

I know, he has a very serious thinking type look on his face all the time now

I know that look.

[Dmitchell]

I heard it doesn't count if you buy stuff in a different area code from your wife.

Dave - I'm impressed with that snow diving. I've certainly dived in the snow, but not that kind of snow. I don't like snow diving, but I'll tolerate it if the mood strikes me. I'm impressed at your drive and motivation. :hello2:

Hey thanks!

Friday night was worse, we picked our site based on what we thought would have been plowed. We were wrong! The site we picked has not been plowed and we were stuck hiking about 300 yards through 14" of snow! to and from the water!

It was worth it , we saw 5 Lumpsuckers, 3 snailfish and a half dozen sturgeon poachers on one dive! No camera on that dive (darn it).


Dave

[sea2summit]

Boy Dave look at what you started. That was a great video, goes to show how good the diving is in ALASKA. Now that I've got the rEvo I'm way needing to get a good trip planned to come do more good dives and wreck hunting with you.

For the fan club I've attached some more photos, I am accepting donations for a scooter or another trip up to Juneau to do some wrecks (PM me ).