Rendering of Deepsea Challenger in dive mode (Photo: Mark
Thiessen/National Geographic) The Deepsea Challenger surface
support vessel Mermaid Sapphire (Photo: National Geographic) The
Deepsea Challenger in dive orientation (Photo: National
Geographic) The Deepsea Challenger just prior to launch on its
record-setting dive (Photo: National Geographic) James Cameron
prepares to enter Deepsea Challenger just prior to beginning his
record-setting dive to the Challenger Deep (Photo: National
Geographic) On March 26 at 7:52am local time, film
maker/explorer James Cameron entered the history books and
became the first person to visit the ocean's deepest point
alone. Just two weeks ago, we reported on his previous solo-dive
record of 26,791 feet (8,166m), which he handily smashed by
plunging 35,756 feet (10,898m) into the Mariana Trench's
Challenger Deep southwest of Guam. If the handful of contenders
still vying for the record want to beat Cameron, they'll now
have to excavate, because that's as deep as it gets. Othe