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#67
Bonne Terre Lead Mine
Palm_Harbor_Rick - 1/29/2009 8:39 PM
Category: Travel
Replies: 2

Have any of you dove the Bonne Terre Mine, in Bonne Terre Mo. ?

I’ve send info to my local Dive Shot to see if they wanted to run a weekend trip up to explore the old mine. I would love to get some feed back on your experiences there. http://2dive.com/

Thanks Rick
#38
cspring - 1/30/2009 10:33 PM
A group of us went 2 weeks ago. The mine itself was pretty amazing with the high ceilings and huge pillars. The water was very clear and a steady 57 -59 degrees. Our five dives (2 days) ranged from 45-73 minutes. We all had drysuits but some folks there were in wetsuits. The air temp in the mine was a little bit warmer than the water and humid. You are required to complete the trails in order and they have more overhead/swim-thru as you go on. First dive you will do a mask flood and alternate air exercise. Every dive is lead (so you don’t have to pay attention to where you are going) and at least one safety diver in the rear. No lights or cameras on the first dive. In our group, only one did not mention coming back. I did take some pictures so I will try to post them. It was tough to shoot pics there and they do not capture the true size of the place. Mining equipment, rail tracks, and rock formations. One thing - be ready to walk up and down to get to the dock/surface. Take only the gear you need as it can be a long way back up full of gear.
#1789
tmac_diver - 2/02/2009 7:41 AM


Greetings


Some friends and I dove Bonne Terre in Feb/08. One thing specific thing I wanted to add is that I think you should rent weights as well as tanks. The previous diver reponded with great info on the dive site. We all thought it was very cool, although expensive. It is a very long walk back up to the surface while carrying all your gear. If you rent weights { as well as tanks} you just leave them at the jump in spot at the waters edge. I thought the staff was generally very good. Some seemed a little over the top strict on some logistical issues. I understand being strict on safety issues { showing mask clearing skills on the first dive, ect} but one guy was very angry that we chose to get in the water at a small dock/ramp rather than do a giant stride from the edge. Just seemed a little over the top to me. I would go back to Bonne Terre any time, esp. in the winter.


Just my thoughts, intended to help and offer insight. Nothing more/nothing less.


Tom