Tahoe Deep: November 2013

Welcome to Tahoe Deep!

My name is Chase Petley, and I am seeking your support in the endeavors of the project, "Tahoe Deep". I have been working on this project for almost a year now, and I am excited to see its progress, but have a lot yet to accomplish.

What is "Tahoe Deep"?

Tahoe Deep is the name of the project as a whole, in which I will be lowering a submersible exoskeleton to the bottom of Lake Tahoe, which is North America's second deepest lake. The submersible will need to withstand the crushing force of over 1,600 feet of water, and over 740 pounds per square inch.

Why Lake Tahoe?

First and foremost: nobody has ever been to the bottom of Lake Tahoe, let alone recorded the bottom of it. The estimated depth of Lake Tahoe is 1645 feet, and there are many rumors as to what may be at the bottom of it. Some common myths as to what may be at the bottom of the lake are that of a cryrptozoological creature rumored to have been seen, nicknamed the 'Tahoe Tessie', as well as famous mobster's mass burials in the lake itself of those killed.

Not only would Tahoe Deep be able to prove or disprove the myths surrounding Lake Tahoe, but it would also give a more accurate depth of the Lake's floor.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Ready to go!

All the parts have came in from Airpoint and we have a fully built submersible ready to go to the bottom of Lake Tahoe. Airpoint did an amazing job and I could go on and on about it but here are some pictures, their work speaks for it's self.

Tonight we will be modifying a down rigger to be more compatible with our project. Fully configured "Tahoe Deep" only weighs 42.5 lbs ( less then a third of the maximum weight our down rigger can hold ) but with all the time and money invested in "Tahoe Deep" a 1/3 safety factor in the unknown and extreme conditions of the bottom of Lake Tahoe wont cut it.

Our goal is to do the first test of "Tahoe Deep" this upcoming week as long as we can procure a boat and a driver. So stay posted I will update this blog every day till you are watching footage from the bottom of Lake Tahoe!!