I got that chilly will
It seems that there's something about the alps that makes draws me towards seasonally inappropriate activities... long-time readers may recall my summer glacier skiing in the Austrian alps. So I finally go to the alps in winter, and what do I do? Scuba diving under the ice of a frozen lake, of course!
Some pics (thanks to Eyal and co):
It was AWESOME.
My first time in drysuit - buoyancy was difficult - but I'm a survivor (geddit?).
Unfortunately (silly me) it didn't occur to me to take my underwater camera on a ski trip, so no underwater pics, I'll just have to describe it.
Diving under ice, alpine seasonal reversal - it follows that you lean back and look UP - opposite of normal diving. Exhaled air hits the ice ceiling and sprays everywhich way in kaleidoscopic patterns. Bubbles of air - or anti-water - fall up and collect in reverse-ponds, in which you can form mini-whirlpools with a quick flick of the wrist. We turned off our torches at one point and could only see a faint alien green glow of light filtering through skylights of thin ice.
Relax upwards, head suspended against the ice ceiling examining it up close with a torch, seeing all the tiny little air bubbles which formed there in bizarre patterns months ago at the first freeze.
It was totally surreal, if normal diving is like visiting another world, then this was like visiting another universe. And it is and this was.
Meanwhile - 3.5 days at home is long enough, I'm going skiing again this weekend at Hemavan, a resort near Umeå.
Some pics (thanks to Eyal and co):
It was AWESOME.
My first time in drysuit - buoyancy was difficult - but I'm a survivor (geddit?).
Unfortunately (silly me) it didn't occur to me to take my underwater camera on a ski trip, so no underwater pics, I'll just have to describe it.
Diving under ice, alpine seasonal reversal - it follows that you lean back and look UP - opposite of normal diving. Exhaled air hits the ice ceiling and sprays everywhich way in kaleidoscopic patterns. Bubbles of air - or anti-water - fall up and collect in reverse-ponds, in which you can form mini-whirlpools with a quick flick of the wrist. We turned off our torches at one point and could only see a faint alien green glow of light filtering through skylights of thin ice.
Relax upwards, head suspended against the ice ceiling examining it up close with a torch, seeing all the tiny little air bubbles which formed there in bizarre patterns months ago at the first freeze.
It was totally surreal, if normal diving is like visiting another world, then this was like visiting another universe. And it is and this was.
Meanwhile - 3.5 days at home is long enough, I'm going skiing again this weekend at Hemavan, a resort near Umeå.
posted by I-Rock at 9:41 PM
13 Comments:
You are awesome. I mean that.
Thanks mate! I do my best.
that joke was freaking hilarious - I predict many many children for you with a sense of humour like that.
Also - for the record - the content of this post SHOCKS, SURPRISES and DELIGHTS me.
I reckon it sounds scary - good on youuuuu.
also - why do people dressed in scuba gear always take piccies doing a double thumbs up?
what's wrong with the wink and the gun?
err, I'm doing the double OK sign...
I think the gun's popularity is limited by the fact that you can't make the associated clicking noises with a regulator in your mouth.
Skiing in Hemavan was great fun, I'm bloody exhausted. Full report to follow.
I though you were indicating the size of your ghoulies as they were immersed in the icy water.
If you do come to Santander, can you find something crazy for us to do - you are getting a reputation for extreeeme travelling and I want in!
Was skiing in Hemavan like skiing in Heaven? ha ha ha.
Umm, I hate to point out regulations and what-not but don't you need a cave diving certificate to do this sort of crazy stuff???
Umm, I hate to point out regulations and what-not but don't you need a cave diving certificate to do this sort of crazy stuff???
Wow - Dr Killjoy!
Not if you're with an instructor, and we were tethered to ropes leading back to the hole, so its pretty safe.
Sez Mr. "I'm narced, hey! let's go into this dark submarine all by myself"
;P
(cue jokes about seamen...hardy har har...)
Oh choco and his big dark submarine. What will they get up to next??
Oh god! I've had horrible dreams about swimming though my own long dark submarine.
I feel dirty.
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