? for the rebreather divers

[doug67]

I have heard that there is a tunnel between two of the mines in Crosby and I wondered if any of you had gone through it. The lack of bubbles would make it safer to try then with open circuit. If you have, how long was it? Was it cool? How was the vis?

[LKunze]

There are several drift tunnels in various pits.  I too have heard of a tunnel connecting Louise and Mahnomen 2. The tunnels are unstable.  Even if on a rebreather it wouldn't be safe.  Just the disturbance of finning might create enough force to cause problems?  There are some that have gone in on OC and had shale rain down on their backs. :o Best advice to anyone would be keep out.

[Kirk]

I’ve been in one of them a few times, though I don’t recommend it, for it is rather unstable.  I’ve been in a few hundred feet, but each time I turned because I got scared when I came across the same major breakdown area (and I don’t get scared easily).  The visibility in that one is usually good.  The use of a rebreather is a good idea, less percolation, though more important is to have good trim, run a line, and be cave trained.    I did all those things, but that said, I really don't recommend going into them.  - Kirk 

[doug67]

I dont have the training or desire to do it but I was curious and thought someone might have some info. Thanks

[Terry]

              Hey Doug! I've seen one that looks to run between Feigh and Pennington, 100' down (in Feigh) went into it a little, ya their real unstable, just like much of the steep banks of the Cuyuna, gotta be nuts to attempt that run. Theres a concrete tunnel in Portsmouth, just out and a little east from the beach area on the North side, with light gauge rail tracks on the bottom, thats pretty cool to see runs from 50' to about 30' going to the west, with a total length of about 100'. Seems once you take that iron out of the Cuyuna and mix it with 50 tons of cement, you can get a nice stable tunnel. I'd of been leary in those dug tunnels while the mines were active and "above" water, when you factor in the vibrations of heavy equipment, and blasting, YIKES! Gotta recommend to you Doug,,, stay out of the dug tunnels.    T

[LKunze]

I wouldn't go in the concrete tunnel either. They have light fixtures and other entanglement hazzards in them from what I was told.

[Terry]

                     The tunnel I referenced in Portmouth mine, has no obstructions, nor do I advocate overhead diving for anyone not properly trained in penetration diving. Thanks for bringing it forward though, I do appreciate your site Mr. Kunze.  Terry

[LKunze]

                     The tunnel I referenced in Portmouth mine, has no obstructions, nor do I advocate overhead diving for anyone not properly trained in penetration diving. Thanks for bringing it forward though, I do appreciate your site Mr. Kunze.  Terry
[/quote]
Yep, that's the tunnel I was referring to as well.  I didn't go in it so you may be correct that there are not any obstructions.  I recall Bill Matthies at MSD mentioning at one time that there were light fixtures and maybe wires or something inside in spots that could pose an entanglement risk.  I did shine my light inside a few years ago and recall seeing the rail car tracks on the floor and electrical fixtures hanging from the ceiling of the tunnel. 

[Terry]

                     The tunnel I referenced in Portmouth mine, has no obstructions, nor do I advocate overhead diving for anyone not properly trained in penetration diving. Thanks for bringing it forward though, I do appreciate your site Mr. Kunze.  Terry
[/quote]
Yep, that's the tunnel I was referring to as well.  I didn't go in it so you may be correct that there are not any obstructions.  I recall Bill Matthies at MSD mentioning at one time that there were light fixtures and maybe wires or something inside in spots that could pose an entanglement risk.  I did shine my light inside a few years ago and recall seeing the rail car tracks on the floor and electrical fixtures hanging from the ceiling of the tunnel.   
[/quote]
The tunnel is made of reininforced concrete sections each 8' long with a bell end to allow insertion (with heavy equipment) of the next concrete piece, normally sealed with a 1" diameter o-ring, with the last several sections bolted together externally to secture the overall length. WHEN this tunnel was lit, its lights AND wiring method, whether it be SO cord, conduit, (either PVC, EMT or RMC) or flexible metal conduit, or potentially even romex (NMC) would all of been exposed from light fixture to light fixture on the inside of the tunnel to avoid having to drill the 4"-5" thickness of the tunnel sections. The lights and wiring method if attached to the ceiling or walls could pose an entrapment hazard, AND certinly WOULD if it was no longer attached and hanging loose (dangling) to varying degrees along the tunnels length. There are none. I have traversed it multiple times, both directions, with and without lights. The floor of the round tunnel has been made flat by the placement of heavy wood planks to form a flat surface, in which to lay the rail tracks on, in the center of the tunnel there is an opening where these wood planks have been damaged, its to small to get in, (although a loose computer or octo could catch in the opening). Most of the floor is covered with silt, which dosen't allow exposure of the rails in their entire length. Due to this silt and the fact that it IS an overhead enviroment (never mind thats its reinforced concrete :o ) it should be recommended that anyone not trained in cave diving or diving in an overhead enviroment, NOT attempt to traverse this tunnel section. (This is with ALL due respect to Mr. Bill Mathies, he deserves it, as the legend he is, and you too Lon. I will be happy to escort you thru this tunnel, Lon if you'd like, just let me know.      THANKS! I appreciate your site!    Terry

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I had planned to explore several of the drifts and shafts this year but the weather has kept me closer to home. I jumped in once over there and never found the entrance I was looking for and had a drysuit leak which prevented a second dive.

Now I am moving to go back to school so its doubtful I will get anymore dives in Crosby this year. If I do you can bet they will be with the intention of exploration...