Tampa, FL, September 28, 2013 – In coordination with the Santa Rosa Mayor’s Office, City Council and Economic Affairs Office the ADM (Advanced Diver Magazine) Exploration Foundation (ADM) fielded a Scouting Expedition to explore the Santa Rosa Blue Hole during the month of September 2013.

During the week long scouting expedition ADM accomplished many planned and unplanned tasks.  To facilitate entrance to the cave, ADM removed a substantial amount of  debris from the cave entrance (grate installed in 1976, many boulders dumped over the grate, a 5’ by 3’ aluminum “snorkel” installed by US Army Corps of Engineers in 2003).  As part of ADM’s community outreach program, multimedia presentations were held at both the Santa Rosa High School and Middle School.  Lastly, ADM installed a new grate, to close the exposed cave entrance, fabricated by the Santa Rosa Public Works Department. 

Although the removal of the debris alone was not able to open physical human access to the cave below 91 feet of depth, it was enough the increase the fresh water discharge from the spring and substantially improve water clarity.  Improving water flow will help downstream water consumers and increasing water clarity will enhance both visitors and divers experience while visiting Santa Rosa Blue Hole.

While not able to access the cave itself, ADM Lead Explorer Brett Hemphill was able to enter one of the first cave rooms that had been inaccessible since 1976 when New Mexico State Police recovered the bodies of two University of Oklahoma students that become lost in the cave and subsequently perished.

The significant events during the scouting expedition were removing debris and improving the overall quality of the Santa Rosa Blue Hole, expert mapping and cartography by team members Michael Poucher and Joel Clark, high resolution videography and photography above and below the surface by Jim Killion, Curt Bowen and Walter Pickel and expert sound capture by Marc Hoppe.  The addition of Marc Hoppe to ADM is based on ADM’s commitment to not only show the underworld explored but allow it to be heard as well.

“The scouting expedition was a great success” said Curt Bowen, President, ADM. “We are proud to have had the opportunity to work with the City of Santa Rosa, NM and its residents” Bowen stated.  “This is yet another method ADM helps others understand the cave and karst world. We look forward to returning”.