Dive: 40
Season Dive: 7
Date: 9/26/09
Site: Padi #79, Mahnomen II & III
Avg/Max Depth: 24/43
Temp: 57
TBT/CBT: 0:57/32:25
Buddies: Curtis, Ted, Mike, Adam
During our surface interval a couple of cars showed up at the site to hunt for the medallion as well. Since the game had been stepped up with the site reveal we wasted no extra time on the surface interval. Kristen decided she needed a break and graciously volunteered to run our tanks into Brainerd for a fill since we had missed the designated pickup time at HQ.
Since we knew our second clue would deal with compass navigation, we started theorizing of what type of landmark they would use. Since there wasn’t anything distinctive at PADI #79 we could only assume our directions would be in relation to one of the platforms. I don’t remember who’s idea it was, but we decided to swim around holding a line. Curtis tied a rope to a submerged 5 gallon pail and placed it smack dab in the middle of the platform, then we spaced ourselves along the line and swam a circle. It was good in theory, but once we started swimming over the wall the tall trees complicated things. I ended up letting go of the rope so I could cover the bottom.
Our search turned up dry so Curtis moved the bucket and we circled again. Nothing. Then we swam in a straight line for a distance and back again. Still nothing. It was rather disappointing to have to return to the surface empty handed for the third time.