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Thinking of driving to Crosby, leaving Mpls this Sun about 7am,<br>diving one of the pits, maybe 3 dives, and leaving for home about 5 - 6pm.<br>Anyone interested?

DanL,<br>I would consider going to Crosby.. Maybe could pick up one tank for an afternoon dive but would rather go tankless most of the day. Doesn't make for much of a buddy I know, but wouldn't mind tagging along. I'll be in Fargo that day so won't be quite as long a drive as from home.<br><br>Fred

I am going to Crosby Sunday AM w/ my son. I live in St. Cloud do I will be going through Brainerd. I can meet anyone who is interested at 9:00am at the McDonalds in the east side of Brainerd(near the airport). There is also going to be a group from St. Cloud diving Joan Sunday am.

Fred, nomads,<br>If I leave Mpls at 6:30, I can be at the McD's before 9.<br>Nomads, your plan sounds fine - meet you at 9 at McD's. I have a light gold Ford Explorer. Fred, does this plan work for you?<br>Also, Fred, I'll set your line (do you need to do that?) and spot you if you would like. You'll have to educate me on free dive support.<br>I've been snorkeling in a pool. I can go to -10ft, swim the length of the pool - 20 yds - and that's it. Boy do I need conditioning! Maybe some tips from Freediver....

Dan L and Fred, I have a black blazer. I will be there at 9:00 am. The weather should be great. Do you have any preferences as to which mine you want to dive? I've got maps so let me know.

nomads,<br>See you at 9! I'll dive any pit w/decent access.<br>E-mail me your phone or cell number. I'll send you mine. Nice to be able to call as we get to Brainerd.<br>Dan

you guys are early birds! Ok.. I'll be there too - 9:00.. ouch. We're going to a wedding dance tonight and it's going to be tough going that early. Any idea of what pits you might be going to if I'm late?<br><br>The explorer is broke down so I'm driving a rented white ford something... I think it's an escort. Maybe wifey will let me use her tan tahoe.<br><br>DanL, if you're doing all that in the pool sans the fins that's not bad, if you had fins on... you need a pair like mine! ;D I'd be happy to give some basics of freediving to anyone who's willing to try. I have worked with a few newbies to the sport and it really comes down to being able to equalize the ears and the mask. If you can do that quickly while inverted and hold your breath for 30 - 35 seconds should be no trouble getting to at least 30' if not more first time out.<br><br>Looking forward to seeing everyone at McDons.<br><br>Fred

Fred,<br>If you get there later, we'll leave a note with the McD's clerk.<br>Do you have a preference? Nomads mentioned another group going to Joan. Haven't been there. Mangan is also nice - a lot to see, but I don't know max depth.<br>See ya',<br>Dan

O.K on the note - I'll do my best to be there on time.<br><br>If I have a preference for freediving it would be somewhere that has a near verticle wall to -100 or so... hopkins? Also, I understand you can see some monster northerns at portsmouth.. and of course there is always louise.. where they have the guide ropes to the boat. Swimming through the trees with Jason and Mark at Mahnomen II was fun although we didn't see a whole lotta fish the features sure made up for it.<br>I'm actually fine to dive anything the little ford can make it to. Water is water and all the water near crosby is better then most that minnesota has to offer, I'm not so concerned about max depth.<br><br>Just checking the map hopkins, mangan, and joan are all right next to each other.. if you're going to do 3 dives and if it's not a bother to move from one lake to the other, maybe we could do all 3. That would work for me.<br><br>I guess there is a group from Moorhead going to Mahnomen III.<br>Fred

My suggestion is Hopkins, the back side of Joan, Louise or Portsmouth. There is a nice remote access to Hopkins and I always see a lot of fish. The back side of Joan is also nice but the road is bad getting back there. The front side of Joan is on the main road-not ideal- and usually pretty muddy. Portmouth has the best road, easy entry and nice wall. I dove there earlier this year and didn't see many fish but it was early. Last year I saw quite a few fish there. Mangan usually has squatters who consider the area theirs. Most divers avoid Mangan until after Labor Day.