Cazadero Diving Expedition
WORLD RECORD IN HIGH-ALTITUDE DIVING AND DISCOVERY OF THE HIGHEST LAKE IN THE WORLD
The Cazadero Diving Expedition 2016 project had several goals. In addition to setting a new world record and a Guinness record in high-altitude diving, the expedition was of a research nature. We wanted to reach this reservoir to confirm its existence. Determine its actual dimensions, whether it is salty. Determine its maximum depth, determine whether any organisms live in it, take samples of water and bottom sediments. Use GPS to check the actual height of the surface of this reservoir. During the expedition, I also searched for a missing tourist from Ukraine, who disappeared in March 2014 near the Olmedo volcano.
The topic of high-altitude diving had interested me for several years. I learned about the existence of the reservoir from the Internet. While browsing websites, I came across the first satellite photos of this reservoir. I decided then that organizing an expedition to this lake and the possibility of diving in it would be an interesting expedition. Exploration, which is what I like most about diving, and additionally we will be able to contribute to the study of this place and provide more information about the “white spots” on our planet for all people.
High-altitude diving is still not well-researched. Especially since the high-altitude diving tables end at an altitude of 2,400 m above sea level and there were very few people doing dives above 4,000. It was an experimental dive. Diving at altitude is associated with a number of problems. The basis is very good acclimatization and well-being before diving. On the other hand, too long acclimatization is unfavorable in terms of hemocrit level and oxygen window. Too excessive pulmonary edema makes gas exchange difficult during and after diving. Another threat is the possibility of decompression sickness and hypothermia. Any help at such an altitude and in that area would be impossible due to the unavailability of rescue services.
Before reaching CB at 5300, we spent over a week acclimatizing at 4000 m. On the way to the lake itself (5985 m above sea level), we had also set up an intermediate camp C1 at 5720 m. Acclimatization during the entire expedition was one of the key elements to be able to safely conduct the entire dive. We were very dependent on the weather, which we were afraid would not thwart our plans to reach the reservoir.
The lake had elongated dimensions. The surface of the water surface was approximately 25,000 square meters after measuring. The lake is located in a depression. Going to the lake, you have to overcome an elevation gain of 6010 m above sea level. The water in the lake is salty. When the sun is shining, you can tell how deep it is by the color of the water. In some places around the reservoir there were ice syracuses and two larger glaciers.
I stayed underwater for over 20 minutes. In the water itself I had spent 140 minutes searching for the deepest spot. The bottom was flat with a small amount of sediment. Below the sediments, the bottom of the reservoir was rocky.
Before reaching our lake, we passed 4 other large reservoirs on the way. During trekking at an altitude of 5,000 m above sea level, I also discovered newly formed reservoirs, which were formed from melting icebergs. Reservoirs at high altitudes grow larger over time if they are regularly supplied with water. The formation of new reservoirs is determined by the climate changes that are taking place. Some of them are only temporary and depend on the occurrence of higher temperatures in the summer.
