Ice ice Baby!

Ice Diving is an experience that I will never forget. The sensation of cold mixed with the adrenaline of being under the ice, makes you enjoy every minute.

There are many places in the world where you can go ice diving. Our experience took place in Spain, more specifically in the Valley of Nuria, Catalan Pyrenees.

The starting point was Ribes de Freser. From here we climbed by train to an elevation of 1960 metres, where the lake is located. It is a semi natural lake with a depth between half a metre to 4 metres in the deepest part. It is in the latter where the entrance is made.

The entrance through the ice is always cut in the form of a triangle, because it gives better reinforcement when sitting on its corners before starting the dive. The dimensions vary between 1.5 - 2 metres. There are between 3 and 5 holes cut in the ice for safety, to increase light and create blocks of ice under the surface layer.

When diving you are always tied to a rope, the main lifeline between the guide and the tender on the surface. The groups are maximum of 3 people (four with the guide), all connected to the main line by secondary ropes with carabiners. The rope is always tight to give surface communication in case of emergency. To minimize the risks the maximum horizontal penetration in the lake is 30 metres (and is marked on the rope). These dives require no experience with a dry suit as it is only used as insulation.

The temperature of the lake is 1-2ºC, but you do not die of cold because the dive shop will lend you 7mm gloves and hood.

The minimum thickness of the ice on the edges has to be 15 cm, although 10 cm is considered safe for a person to walk on. With more than 30 cm it is safe to park a vehicle. At this lake the thickness in the entrance area is normally around 40 cm, and can reach 70 cm in pure winter.

The season is marked by ice, and it goes from Christmas to the beginning or middle of March (always depending on environmental conditions such as rain and heat). This activity is carried out on weekends, although with a group of 3 or more people it can be extended to Fridays or Mondays (to take advantage of the logistics of creating the entry holes).

If you are interested in living the experience, get in touch with me and I will give you all the details.

See you in the blue