EXPEDITION NEWS

John Pando Summits CHO OYU! October 2008 - John Pando, as part of an International Climbing Expedition, summited Cho Oyu the 6th highest mountain in the world!! John has had quite a couple of years with Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Orizaba, Denali, Mustagh Ata, and now his first 8000m giant!

We are happy to be involved in true ADVENTURE and EXPLORATION all over the globe. Here are some of our on going projects and expeditions that we are part of, sponsor, or support.

Record seeking free-diving Expedition to Costa Rica

The Pico de Orizaba Expedition Team left their high camp at 1:00am to COLD temperatures and wind above 16,000ft. Jerry Guerra made the decision to turn back after experiencing some intial signs of edaema. A broken crampon strap on a very steep section ended Brian Larsons attempt at a second Orizaba summit. At 17,000ft Leon Watts gave up his attempt and left Steve Meyer to complete his third attempt on the peak. At 5:15am and alone on the upper portion of the mountain Steve reached the summit!

Dive Team Surveys Deep Ocean Cave

August 2008 - In January of 2007 Leon Watts, Ed White, and Joel Wendt made a first descent into an unexplored cave located 50 miles off the West coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. The small opening was at 130 feet  and a small tube led to a large room that dropped away below them.  The first dive explored to the top of the debris mound at a depth of 202 feet.  After exchanging information a subsequent dive was executed by research divers from Mote Marine who are exploring the deep offshore caves of the southern Gulf of Mexico.  The third dive to place a survey pole was conducted by Leon Watts and Captain TJ Shea in August of 2008. They reached a depth of 230 feet. From this the divers will begin a full survey and mapping of the cave in 2009.

Steve Meyer Solos Orizaba

John Hansen and Steve West Summit Aconcagua!

The 2009 Huascaran Expedition was turned back from the mountain after a grueling night at 17,700ft enduring winds from 50 to 70 MPH for over 13 hours. We were actually on the sheltered side of the mountain but the high altitude winds were scouring the summit and washing down the face before hitting camp one. It sounded like a train going by all night long. In the morning we saw that the route above have been badly avalanched and the forecast was calling for more of the same. It was a good expedition and we are all happy to err on the side of safety. We will return to the Cordillera Blanca in 2010.

Februray 2009 - Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside of Asia and one of the SEVEN SUMMITS! John and Steve were part of SUMMITCLIMB Expedition. John has joined us on Rainier, Orizaba, and Mustagh Ata.

HUASCARAN Team Turned Back By High Winds!

In November 2009 a team will travel to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica to hunt giant tuna. The expedition will be led by Jerry Guerra, former holder of the world record for these massive pelagics. Current team members include Leon Watts and Mark Platau. The challenge for the team is hunting without the use scuba gear using only a breath to dive deep and find the fish. The fight to boat a world record size tuna can take hours and the diver must be completely unassisted!