Here is some underwater video footage of some of the Archaeological sites in Egypt, hosted by the delightful Italian Art News reporter Lavinia Filippi after her visit on site to promote the opening of the exhibition in Turin in 2009
7 Comments  Licancabur Volcano, on the Border of Bolivia and Chile, as seen from the Atacama Desert. In 2006 I was invited by NASA/SETI Scientist Nathalie Cabrol to Dive into the Crater lakes on top of Volcano's in the Bolivian Andes as part of a study on the origins of life in Extreme Environments that would help direct future investigations of the Planet Mars. Here is my version of the experience. ( Alternative title;) A Mountaintop Food Review By Eric Wartenweiler Smith Ascent Day 1 Licancabur Volcano, Bolivia 0500; Breakfast at the Refuge; Fresh bread rolls, jam and honey we brought from Antofogasta, powdered milk,” Hapi”. and Mate de Coca. At 0530, I am informed by team logistician Christian Tambley that I appear out of my element, and my capacity to adapt to and survive in these environmental conditions is in question. Christian is a very experienced extreme altitude mountaineer. He is wise, honest, and totally unsympathetic to my attempts to get used to life on the Altiplano. His view of our toils is measured from the geological perspective. ‘The scientific equipment for the entire expedition did not arrive? All life on earth is about to be eliminated by the inevitable impact of a meteor, and you are worried about some mislaid equipment. Stop weeping.” Buddha meets Jack-ass.... Ascent Day 2
Breakfast at Mid Camp is not hurried. I have 2 ramen packets and tea. Macario and the rest of the Bolivian guides arrive, with more of our scientific equipment and diving gear. They had started carrying gear up the mountains in stages 3 days ago. Macario will have climbed Licancabur 398 times as of today. He is 59 years old.  Christian at Summit Camp rockin' gear from our sponsor Marmot. About the Altitude;
As an ex-paramedic, I was elected medic for the expedition, and so have studied up on some of the maladies we might encounter, such as diving accidents and altitude sickness. Here are some notes; La Paz, Bolivia, is the Highest National capital in the world. The Bolivians we meet and work with have lived a life above 13,000 feet. Macario has never been lower than Cochibamba. In planning to join the expedition, a friend told me of people dropping dead upon getting off the train in La Paz, others warned of Cerebral edema, Pulmonary edema, and other ailments that come with a sudden ascent to altitude. The NASA Safety Review Board reviewed our expedition acclimatization.... Diving Day One.
Every one was up early. I tried the freeze-dried Omelet de Jambon, but it was terrible, so had more Ramen Noodles and extra sugar in my tea. I strained out the copepods, ostrocods, and chubby shrimp that had gotten into my water bottle by pouring it through my balaclava as a sieve before boiling the water. The lake is made of snow melt, and should be relatively safe, but I am reminded that Laguna Verde down below is rich source of arsenic, and also remember from Tibet that some high altitude lakes have a parasitic worm that goes directly from drinking water to your brain, where it causes seizures, coma, and death. I boil it well done.... |  My name is Eric and I get paid to excavate sunken cities, climb volcanoes, find missing bombs, and helm old ships. 
Current Mission: Explore Depths of the Caspian Sea; April/May 2013
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Recent Mission: Return to Laos to Hunt for Unexploded Bombs with ASI, Feb/March 2013
 Recent Mission December 2012 ArchivesApril 2013 
Here is an Interview by Budding Journalist and middle school student Jonathan Padover, Sponsored By Aqua Survey
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