Tahoe Deep: December 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.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Its in the water!

Since the last post in November Tahoe Deep has been tested two times. The first test was a partial test and the a Camera and light housing were sent to 550feet, it was successful and the equipment preformed flawlessly. Recently we went back to Lake Tahoe and on the second test run we hit the bottom at around 1650 feet. We believe these are some of the first images of the bottom of lake Tahoe!

On the right you can see a transparent shrimp that decided to come up to the camera and check it out.