The “Lakes at the Crown of the World” is a project that carries out exploration and scientific research in lakes that are located at the highest altitude on our planet

The Hongu East 2012 expedition was the fourth expedition from this project with the aim of diving in two lakes, located in the Himalayas, in the Hongu Valley between the 8000er Makalu and the 7000er Chamlang, several kilometres from Mount Everest. Hongu East (5400 m above sea level.) and Nort Chamlang (5270 m above sea level).

The location is extremely remote and the Himalyan environment makes logistics a significant issue. All equipment required carrying by porters and the expedition team members themselves. Hauling a twinset in this wy was not realistic so a sidemount configuration proved to be the most practical and durable. In addition to getting to the dive sites and once at the dive sites, air temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius, the significant depth of the dives, diving under ice, zero visibility and the distance from civilization negating the chance of any meaningful rescue added to already mountainous challenges.

The expedition was a success. Kamil Iwankiewicz achieved a dive depth of 36m, setting the world record in deep altitude scuba diving.