Final Minutes of Deco

Final minutes of deco featuring two divers in their natural habitat, sitting under a rock ceiling and pretending this is comfortable.

This little pocket in the cave is where time slows down. There is not much room to move, so you settle in, find a grip on the ceiling or the wall, and watch the bubbles slide past as they trace their way upward. It is quiet enough to hear your own breathing and close enough that you become very aware of your limbs, hoses and fins.

Deco always feels like an odd contrast. You just spent the dive feeling free, moving through passages, rocks and boulders, and now you are parked in a space the size of a small table, waiting for tissue compartments to catch up. The cave seems to be watching you with a straight face while you pretend that sitting motionless under a slab of rock is perfectly reasonable.

In reality it is just part of the routine. You get used to the rock ceiling an inch from your head, the slightly awkward position, and the awareness that you still have a bit more gas to breathe before surfacing. You might exchange a glance with your buddy, check the timer, shift one fin, and continue the waiting game.

Some people imagine cave diving as fast action. Often it is this instead. Stillness, patience, and the quiet understanding that comfort is optional and discipline is not.

The video captures it well. Two divers, a low ceiling, a few final minutes, and the slightly forced confidence that yes, this is completely fine.

Deco, Pee-Valves, and Other Life Lessons

 

Recently I did a dive down to 103 m. Everything was running smoothly until around 80 m, where a small “whoops” moment occurred. Nothing dangerous, just a brief dip (from about 72 m back down to 83 m) that gifted me a bit over an extra hour of decompression for my troubles.

The ascent quickly turned into a long meditative session, with the peak TTS hitting 116 minutes at around 50 m. Plenty of time to contemplate life choices, and salute the unknown genius who invented pee-valves.

Before the dive I had been debating whether to wear my thin undergarment and brave the cold for a bit, or go with the thick one and be comfy throughout the dive. Let’s just say I’m very glad I chose warmth. Long stops and cold water make a miserable combination.

Lesson of the dive: plan for worst case, dress like you’ll be there all day, and always connect your pee-valve. The decompression gods are rarely in a hurry.

Drifting through Cenote Dos Pisos

At Cenote Dos Pisos, Mexico. Cave diving is not about going fast. It is about slowing down and letting millions of years of geological secrets unfold before us.

Drifting through this system feels like moving through time. Every formation is a quiet reminder that water, stone and patience can create something far more impressive than anything made in a human lifetime. There is no rush down here. Only buoyancy, breathing and the gentle push of the cave guiding you forward.

Light settles differently in these passages, turning rock into architecture and sediment into snowfall. It becomes a strange kind of meditation. You are fully focused yet completely calm, aware of every kick, every bubble and every detail carved into the walls.

People often ask what the appeal is. Why squeeze through dark tunnels when there is a whole ocean outside? For me the answer is simple. Very few places let you witness untouched history in motion. Very few places demand such respect and reward such discipline.

Down here speed makes no sense. The cave sets the pace. We just follow.

Rediscovering Orienteering: A Journey Back in Time

 Last weekend, I attended an orienteering race for the first time in 33 years. It all started when I reunited with my old orienteering coach, who invited me to join the event. Running through the forest took me back to my teenage years, and it was an incredible experience that reignited my passion for this sport.

Surprisingly, my orienteering skills are still pretty sharp, scoring a solid 4 out of 5. However, my running game is a different story, with a humble 0.5 out of 5. It's clear that while the mind remembers the maps and compasses, the body needs some serious catching up.

Determined to improve, I decided to go for a training run today. Given the temperature in the low 30s°C, it ended up being more of a walk than a run. Despite the heat and the mosquitos having a feeding frenzy, it was a really enjoyable outing. There's something uniquely refreshing about being out in nature, even when conditions aren't perfect.

This experience has motivated me to continue this journey and see where it takes me next. Whether it's improving my running stamina or honing my orienteering skills, I'm excited about the adventures ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates on my orienteering journey!

#Orienteering #BackInTheGame #FitnessJourney #NatureLover

"Cartisoara's Breathtaking Sunset: A Snowy Mountain Canvas

As the sun bid adieu to the picturesque Village of Cartisoara, it painted the sky in a mesmerizing display of colors. The snow-capped mountains stood tall in the backdrop, their peaks tinged with hues of pink and gold as the fading sunlight gently kissed them goodnight.

The mountains, adorned with a pristine blanket of snow, mirrored the last rays of sunlight, creating an ethereal ambiance. The contrast between the icy peaks and the fiery sky was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Embark on an awe-inspiring rebreather dive adventure through the depths of Cenote Kim Ha in Tulum. Join us as we navigate the deep sections of this captivating cave, completing the circuit and venturing into the intricate tunnels below.

The cave at the trout farm

 

Video from our recent dive at this beautiful, intimate cave near Tismana, Romania. To reach the cave you need to pass through, or around a trout farm, hence the name "The cava a the trout farm".

 

Final checks before submerging into one of the most beautiful underwater caves I ever dived in... - Cenote Nariz, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico