The Grey NATO – 242 – A Deep Dive With Don Walsh (The First Man to the Deepest Spot on Earth)

Batten down the hatches! We’ve got the definition of an extra-special guest for this episode which features an in-depth (ahem) chat with Captain Don Walsh, PhD (USN - Retired). Yes, that Don Walsh – who piloted the Bathyscaphe Trieste to 35,797 ft in Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench with Jacques Piccard on January 23, 1960. Don hopped on a call with Jason and James from his home in Oregon to chat about his history in the U.S. Navy, how he was selected for the famed deep-diving mission, what it was like to sink into depths unknown, and, of course, the watches involved in the mission (and those he and his son have collected since). For the TGN boys, this is a pinch-yourself moment as they chat with a legend of underwater exploration, aka. Mr. Challenger Deep.

Don in front of the Russian Mir 1 submersible after his first dive to Titanic (~20 years ago).

A huge thanks to Don for being game to come on the show. Please stay in the mix for a Final Notes that will have you diving deeply into Project Nekton, even deeper into Casino Royale, and tuning in for a special live stream from one of James’ favorite bands.

The Aquastar Model 60 worn by Don Walsh on the Bathyscaphe Trieste (and has since been to Challenger Deep two more times). Yes, we asked him to take a photo of it – what a guy.

Click here if you want to play episode 242 from your browser – thanks so much for listening.

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5:30 Justin Sowders Art Instagram
6:45 WindUp Chicago (14, 15, 16th of July)
8:07 Great Central Brewing
11:00 James’ Doxa Sub 300 50th SR
11:05 Artem Khaki Green Sailcloth strap
13:04 Aquastar Model 60 Re-Issue
14:26 Bathyscaphe Trieste
15:19 David Concannon on TGN
20:27 Ponant cruises
28:31 USS Rasher
32:32 Office of Naval Research
1:09:30 Rolex Deep Sea Specials (which was strapped to the Trieste)
1:14:35 Rolex Deepsea Challenge
1:14:50 James Cameron and the Deepsea Challenger
1:17:18 The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation
1:20:17 Kelly Walsh
1:22:30 Victor Vescovo
1:26:40 Fleet Foxes Livestream
1:27:34 “The Trieste’s Deepest Dive” (via Rolex)
1:28:59 Casino Royale on The Rewatchables

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide