Operation Deep Climb

FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD'S TALLEST MOUNTAIN AND BEYOND

SCUBAnauts International and Wild Life Productions, in partnership with the Explorer's Club, the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) Program, NOAA, NASA and USAF, will be conducting a three-phase expedition named OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB. In October, 2007, SCUBAnauts, America's Next Generation of Explorers, will embark on a two week expedition that will begin with a 6,000 ft descent in deep sea submersibles to explore deep sea geology and ecosystems along the flanks of Mauna Kea, mountain climb over 13,700 feet to the summit of this tallest mountain on earth from base to top (Hawaii's Mauna Kea) and conclude with the unfurling of the OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB expedition banner on the Space Shuttle, STS-123, in February, 2008. This ambitious and challenging expedition will be conducted under the leadership of the Explorer's Club member and film producer, Mark Fowler, and SCUBAnautsSCUBAnauts founder Dave Olson.

Phase I will encompass undersea explorations with NOAA and HURL taking place between October 12 and October 17. During this period, eightSCUBAnauts will depart from Snug Harbor aboard the marine research support vessel, KOK, and descend in Pisces IV and V deep sea submersibles nearly 6,000 ft to explore a Japanese Midget Sub site off of Pearl Harbor, observe undersea volcanic eruptions, study associated hot water plumes along volcanic vents, and map extraordinary deep-sea geologic features along the flanks of Mauna Kea.

Phase II of OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB will commence October18when the SCUBA Scouts offload from the KOK and meet NASA astronaut Dom Gorie, volcanologists from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and SSGTDuane Gregory, U.S. Air Force Wilderness Survival Instructor to prepare for the climb to the summit of Mauna Kea, the world's tallest mountain. During the 13,700 ft climb, the SCUBA Scouts will explore with Hawaii's volcanologists rare plant and animal species, their distributions, ecosystems and endangered natural communities. NASA's astronaut Dom Gorie will mentor and inspire the next generation of explorers to 'carry the torch' and continue to explore the universe for the benefit of mankind. (APT Gorie will then assist the OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB exploration banner when they reach the summit on the second day. CAPT Gorie and NASA will then provide for a tour of the Keck Observatory. The SCUBA Scouts expedition team will arrive back in Tampa on Sunday, October 21.

Phase III of the operation will take place at CapeKennedy just days before the launch of STS-123, February 14, 2008. SCUBA Scouts will tour the facility with NASA astronaut(s) and/or Space Shuttle Flight Test Director, Stephen Payne.

On launch day, they will be invited as special guests of NASA to experience the successful launch event.Approximately 3-4 days into the mission, or when feasible, SCUBA Scouts will be invited back to Cape Kennedy to make contact with STS-123 Mission Commander, Dom Gorie, to view the unfurling of the OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB banner from space, Education through Exploration, and briefly discuss space sciences to officiallyaccomplish the mission.