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, embarked on a ten day expedition to Hawaii that began when eight SCUBAnauts hiked up the face of Mauna Kea to the summit at 13,700 feet. After the climb, two SCUBAnauts had the opportunity to take a submersible dive to 6,000 feet to view two Japanese Midget Submarines, which sank during hte Battle of Pearl Harbor during World War II. The mission completed when Commander Dominic Gorie unfurled the OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB expedition banner in March 200 on the Space Shuttle, STS-123. Commander Gorie spoke of the importance of young explorers to future generations. This ambitious and challenging expedition was conducted under the leadership of the Explorer's Club member and film producer, Mark Fowler, and SCUBAnauts founder Captain Dave Olson.

Phase I encompassed undersea explorations with NOAA and HURL which took place between October 12 and October 17. During this period, two SCUBAnauts departed from Snug Harbor aboard the marine research support vessel, KOK. These nauts descended in Pisces IV and V deep sea submersibles nearly 6,000 ft to view two Japanese Midget Submarines, which were both sunk prior to the attach on Pearl Harbor. The two nauts also had the rare opportunity to see deep sea bottom habitats, very different from what they were accustomed to in Florida.

Phase II of OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB commenced prior to Phase I when eight SCUBAnauts, with help from SSGT Duane Gregory (USAF) prepared to ascend Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island. The SCUBAnauts were accompanied by a native trail guide and volcanologists from the University of Hawaii-Hilo. Mauna Kea is the Hawaiian Island's tallest mountain. It is also the world's tallest mountain, from base to peak, with only 13,806 feet (fourty-one) percent) of Mauna Kea above sea level. The total height of the mountain is 33,476 feet from base to summit, almost 4,500 feet taller than Mt. Everst. During the 13,800 foot climb, the SCUBAnauts explored rare plant and animal species, their distributions, ecosystems, and endangered natural communities.

Phase III of OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB took place in March 2008 at Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral. Commander Dominc Gorie of STS-123, launched with his crew of seven aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2008 enroute to the International Space Station. Selected nauts had the opportunity to witness the liftoff of STS-123 as special guests of NASA. Commander Gorie unveiled the OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB flag in a live video feed from space with the nauts about the importance of a next generation of explorers. STS-123 landed on March 23, 2008, which signified the end of OPERATION: DEEP CLIMB.