1/12/2013 E3 aboard Escapade by Alberto Nava

[beto]

1/12/2013 E3 aboard Escapade by Alberto Nava -- [View in Reports Page]

Bottom Team:	Doug Simmons, Alberto Nava
Visibility:	100'	Time:	10:00 AM
Temp:	48F - 50F	Surge:
Max Depth:	150FSW	Avg Depth:
Bottom Time:	0:25	Total Time:	0:50
Bottom Gases:	21/35	Deco Gases:	EAN50
Backgas Config:		Deco Tanks:
Deco Profile:
Yesterday I was thinking about content for next weekend presentation about BAUE and mapping at Point Lobos. I was looking for the first image that the Sea Floor Mapping Lab shared with us which I think it's about 10hr old by now. That was the first time we saw all the pinnacles in the north-west of Point Lobos, and soon after we dove E3 (Elephant Ear Extravaganza was the original name an so the E^^3 name) for the first time. I got tired of looking for the image and turned on the TV. Interesting coincidence today during the tech-charter we headed out with some large swells, and strong south wing. The Captain decided to look for protection on the north side of Lobos and suddenly we're descending on E3 with about 100ft of visibility :-) The downline was at about 130ft near the shallow peak of the pinnacle. There were tons of rock-fish at the top and several large ling-cods resting on the white sponges. We swam across the main valley that splits the reef in two, and I searched for the first encrusted yellow gorgonia we noticed in that area. It looked yellow from far away but as you got closer it became evident it was covered with yellow zonthaid. I still remember Sami's picture of it :-). Image 1 Image 2 I could not find it :-( Doug point it to me the peak of the sister pinnacle and we headed there for a little spin before ascending on the main structure and deploying out SMB. Nice flash back down to memory lane ;-)