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Published: March 30th 2005
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Top of the world!
Kelly and Bob at the Highpoint Manua Kea
"See as much of the world as you can just for the fun of it." -- Pam Flowers
WED SITES Volcano NP My Island BB Mauna Kea Wednesday, March 30, 2005. Breakfast at the B&B was great: papaya with Maui pineapple sprinkled with macadamia nuts, bread pudding with rhubarb, blueberry bagels with volcano plum and guava, hard boiled egg, guava juice, and tea or coffee!
Since it had rained hard all night we made a decision to come back to the lava flow at dusk. So we began our trek to Mauna Kea 13,796’, the tallest mountain on the planet, (32,000 ft ) granted much of it is under the sea. Well, our ride included a downpour, as the natives say about the Big Island, here the “Rain Reigns”. We drove from 4,000’ down to sea level, then up, up and up to Mauna Kea. It is recommended to stop at the visitor’s center NOTE 1 9,000’ to let the body acclimatize to the elevation. This is a state run operation and is host to the most sophisticated collection of astronomy facilities in the world. Being the highest mountain in the world combined with the location, the middle of the Pacific, these factors create ideal conditions for viewing the stars, planets, etc.
Our rented 4wheel drive
vehicle was wonderful, as we began our drive from 9,000’ to 13,000’. The road is not paved and little vegetation is present. It seemed like we landed on the moon! Actually this area was used in the training of the astronauts. When we arrived at the top of the mountain, the temp was 38 degrees. Two days ago this same road was closed due to snow, wind and ice. We lucked out again! After parking, we found the trail to Hawaii’s highpoint. We hiked through lava rock, and some snow, to the top. The elevation did affect us somewhat, some lightheadedness and a little headache, but we had been drinking extra fluids and just took our time. Hooray, we made it and have pictures to prove it…. 13,796’!!! The weather, of course, cleared up, it seemed as though we were in a plane above the clouds.
The drive back to Volcano National Park was a return to heavy rain. We drove along the crater circle and began our drive down to Mauna Loa to see the lava flow. Kilauea is a very active volcano and lava continuously flows down the mountainside to the sea. After parking, it is a
2.5 mile hike each way, not much right? Well…………it was close to sunset and the “trail” leads over, under and around lava. There is not real trail, but includes huge boulders; slabs of lava uplifted, ripples of hardened lava and crushed lava ash…serious hiking conditions for sure! It was unsafe to take your eyes off where to place the next step and it was a constant up and down the mountainside. After hiking a little over an hour, our most serious consideration was the oncoming darkness. While the darkness creates a lovely backdrop for the glowing lava, it makes walking on this surface more than tricky. Having completed 80% of the hike, we decided to go back while we still had some daylight. The lava flowing into the sea sent a mountain of steam into the sky and with the approaching darkness the lava was glowing as it rolled down the mountain, quite a magnificent sight, even from a distance. Going back was the right choice; it was dark before we reached the last of the “trail”.
Between the highpoint and the lava hike we were proud of our efforts for the day!
NOTE 1: It was
interesting that the man running the visitor center had grown up in Pittsburgh and had gone to Pitt . Met a girl from Hawaii and married her. Now is a small farmer and works at the visitor center three days a week. You never know what life is going to bring.
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etlb70
non-member comment
been there
Newest land property on earth!Cool Place Thurston Lava Tube Etc.Mauna Kea is huge took all day to drive around.Great Gorges And Vegitation on lower part's.Upper was barren land like the moon!