I spent the holidays in the State College, PA area. It is cold here this time of year -- generally below freezing. As a result, most of the local dive-able bodies of water are frozen over. However, these lakes generally have some open-water areas, so that's where I went. The reason that these areas are open is that they are adjacent to small streams. Evidently the motion of the water is sufficient to keep the surface clear of ice well after the rest of the lake freezes.
At any rate, as a result of swimming next to these streams, I ended up wandering up them. They are not deep -- in fact, I sometimes had to scrape along on my belly in areas that were less tham a foot deep. However, the dive was surprisingly ninteresting. The limestone creeks up here offer excellent visibility this time of year (20+ feet) and you can actually see some wildlife, despite the cold water. In the really slow water, there are lethargic newts that occasionally swim up for air. Native trout are huddled in eddies in the faster water, and they will let you approach to within a foot or so. It was a world away, which is what I'm generally after when I freedive -- so it was a good dive.
Well, Freediving it ain't, but it was cool nonetheless. Every now and then I had to swim under a log and that was pretty much the only opportunity for apnea (except when I jumped in and the almost-0' C water took my breath away).
I'll be sure to get some shots next time. Has anyone else done anything like this?
mike
At any rate, as a result of swimming next to these streams, I ended up wandering up them. They are not deep -- in fact, I sometimes had to scrape along on my belly in areas that were less tham a foot deep. However, the dive was surprisingly ninteresting. The limestone creeks up here offer excellent visibility this time of year (20+ feet) and you can actually see some wildlife, despite the cold water. In the really slow water, there are lethargic newts that occasionally swim up for air. Native trout are huddled in eddies in the faster water, and they will let you approach to within a foot or so. It was a world away, which is what I'm generally after when I freedive -- so it was a good dive.
Well, Freediving it ain't, but it was cool nonetheless. Every now and then I had to swim under a log and that was pretty much the only opportunity for apnea (except when I jumped in and the almost-0' C water took my breath away).
I'll be sure to get some shots next time. Has anyone else done anything like this?
mike