August 16, 2009 – Kicking to Lone Metridium
Met up with Erik and Elissa to dive Pt. Lobos. Our initial plan was to do two dives, first one to Granite Point wall and the second dive passed Lone Metridium. The goal was to get the team familiar with the major navigational landmarks.
After meeting Matt and Leah in the parking lot, we revised the plan to dive Lone Metridium first. They were on scooters and planned on pushing westward. It’s always good to have a familiar dive team in the waters, in case something happens.
We doddled in the parking lot for a little bit but eventually got in the water. I brought my new (certified pre-owned) camera along to take my first stobe enabled photos.
Surface conditions were good, and we were able to kick past the worm patch before dropping. We could have gotten further, but I’m not much of a surface swimmer. Plus, Elissa was in doubles in she doesn’t know how to surface swim without a scooter.
As we decended, I’m pleasantly surprised by the 20′ viz and soft green glow. Had expected worse, but we actually saw each other and the nearby rocky reef.
After a little kicking, we reached Hole in the Wall and proceeded westly towards Lone Metridium. We swam through the dark kelp bed and popped out against the wall at 70′. Lone Metridium was closed, so we headed along the wall. At the corner of the wall leading West, we checked pressure and called the dive.
Lots of rock fish tucked away in the crack and fissues of the walls this dive.
Side mounting looks very interesting – I stumbled onto the concept one day when I was really jonesing to get wet – I grabbed my backplate and an S80 stage bottle and hit the pool just to cool off and relax for a few minutes. I was amazed at the freedom I felt and was actually stoked to have a little fun with it. Thanks for the write up on the razor and the coldwater report.