So I loaded up my newly built Prawn with supplies for an I-beam container, a thermal plant, a hatch, an interior growbed, and a fabricator, and set off from my base in the Grand Reef for an expedition to the Giant Cove Tree. My plan was build a base at the Cove Tree and get power/food/water going all at once. I'd just need a bit of titanium once down there to get enough for a large room.

EDIT: I did bring 2 creepvine seed clusters since I figured I might need lubricant. I also have the drill arm on the Prawn.

I got in through the Degasi entrance, immediately noticing the difference between the Prawn handling in BZ vs. original and remembering why I don't like using the Prawn. This thing is SLOOOOOOOW. Still, managed to crab-walk past the warpers, crabsquids, and ghostie in the corridor and got to the Cove Tree chamber.

Problem: Cove Tree's base is around 950m. I didn't build a depth upgrade for the Prawn yet. So I gotta park it just outside the chamber on one of the hills. I swim over to the vent (~150m away) and get the base going - thermal plant, I-beam, fabricator.

2nd problem: The bulbo tree sample I brought is rotten since it took 3.5 years to get down here. No simple food sources yet. I have a few nutrient blocks and water bottles with me, so I won't die yet, and there's fish around I can eat. Haven't checked to see if bladderfish are around. There's also gel sacks.

3rd problem: I didn't bring stuff for a power cell recharger - and also didn't build the Jump Jet upgrade yet, or get the grappling arm. The Prawn's down to ~80% power at this point, and I imagine I'd need a fair bit to try and climb back out of the Lost River.

4th problem: This is Hardcore, ~16 hours in.

I'm guessing I can't swim out of the LR, even with Ultra Glide fins, taking my suit off, and having an Ultra Capacity tank plus an extra high capacity tank in reserve. If it's even remotely close to being possible, it's not worth it in Hardcore.

So, my options are:

1. Take the Prawn back up the way I came, assuming I can jump back out without grapple or the jet upgrades, or at least make it as far as I can and then attempt to swim,
2. Do the above, but take a different exit,
3. Stay down here for now and grab more resources to eventually get a Mod Station and Moonpool to craft the upgrades down here, while somehow not dying of thirst.

Thoughts?