Into the Planet

More people have died exploring underwater caves than climbing Mount Everest, and we know more about deep space than we do about the depths of our oceans. From one of the top cave divers working today and one of the very few women in her field Into the Planetblends science, adventure, and memoir to bring readers face-to-face with the terror and beauty of earth's remaining unknowns and the extremes of human capability.

Jill Heinerth the first person in history to dive deep into an Antarctic iceberg and leader of a team that discovered the ancient watery remains of Mayan civilizations has descended farther into the inner depths of our planet than any other woman. She takes us into the harrowing split-second decisions that determine whether a diver makes it back to safety, the prejudices that prevent women from pursuing careers underwater, and her endeavour to recover a fallen friend's body from the confines of a cave. But there's beauty beyond the danger of diving, and while Heinerth swims beneath our feet in the lifeblood of our planet, she works with biologists discovering new species, physicists tracking climate change, and hydrogeologists examining our finite freshwater reserves.

Written with hair-raising intensity,Into the Planetis the first book to deliver an intimate account of cave diving, transporting readers deep into inner space, where fear must be reconciled and a mission's success balances between knowing one's limits and pushing the envelope of human endurance. (From Doubleday Canada)

Jill Heinerthis one of Canada's most renowned cave divers. Into the Planet is her first book.

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Interviews withJill Heinerth

Cave diver Jill Heinerth on learning to act despite fear

7 years ago

Duration 2:30

Heinerth describes a terrifying night she fought off a burglar and learned about staying calm under pressure

Q15:13Cave diver on what draws her to dangerous depths

Underwater explorer Jill Heinerth on why she dives despite its dangers, and how she manages her own fear.

Elite experienced cave diver, and explorer-in-residence with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society Jill Heinerth speaks with CBC News Network's Heather Hiscox about the seemingly near-impossible rescue of 12 boys and their coach now freed from a cave in Thailand.

6 years ago

Duration 6:18

Elite experienced cave diver, and explorer-in-residence with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society Jill Heinerth speaks with CBC News Network's Heather Hiscox about the seemingly near-impossible rescue of 12 boys and their coach now freed from a cave in Thailand.