The Kona Hiking Club will be hiking on Mauna Kea on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Due to the DLNR Natural Preserve Area Management restrictions the group size the Mauna Kea Summit portion is limited to 20 hikers. The Pu`u Huhuhulu portion is unlimited. The amount of summit hikers will also be limited by the number of available 4WD’s.
Lava Lovers: Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano. In technical terms, Mauna Kea is a classic shield volcano. They say that it could erupt in the foreseeable future (geologically speaking).It is the world’s highest mountain (33,476 ft or 10,203 m) when measured from the ocean floor.
We will be hiking at elevations between 10,000’ and 13,796’; therefore, when calling to make a reservation you will be supplied with the recommended restrictions and requirements for hiking at high elevations. We sincerely hope that anyone unable to satisfy these requirements will not make a reservation leaving the openings available for other eligible people desiring to make the hike.
Carpoolers should meet at 6:45am at Lanihau Shopping Center parking lot in Kailua-Kona near Buns in the Sun. From there we will depart at 7:00am. It will take approximately 1-1/2 hrs. to reach Pu`u Huluhulu (across from Mauna Kea Access Road), so we should arrive there around 8:30am. Anyone not wishing to carpool should be there by that time. We will hike/acclimatize at Pu`u Huluhulu for about 1 hour, maybe two depending on the group’s desire. See Pu’u Huluhulu link: http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hawaii?Hikes.hulu
Summit hike link: http://www.summitpost.org/mauna-kea/150854
From there, the 4WD hikers will drive to the Visitor Center where approximately 30 minutes will be spent to acclimate to the altitude before proceeding to the summit by car. Anyone feeling any adverse effects of the altitude at this time should not proceed but leave the mountain immediately.
We will then drive to the upper observatory parking lot. There is a short steep downhill and then a longer steep uphill trail to the actual summit. The round trip can be done in 30 to 45 minutes. It is recommended that everyone hike at a slower than usual pace. The hiking surface in all areas is primarily loose, small a’a lava and gravel.
If you wish to attend, those with 4WD vehicles will be given preference. For carpooling at Lanihau and for reservations, call Kathleen at 557-9246 or email konahikingclub@gmail.com.
All hikers should be prepared for windy and cool weather, with temperatures possibly being in the 40s. Bring at least two liters of water per person, wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, sun protection and a snack or lunch. A hiking stick is also recommended
PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure that you direct them to the Kona Hiking Club website to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!
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