The Kona Hiking Club will be hiking to the North Pit, the northern most edge of the summit crater of Mauna Loa at over 13,000’ on Saturday, July 15, 2017. We will travel by car to the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory located just above the 11,000’ level, spend one-half hour acclimatizing, then hike on a 4WD road to a point where it intersects the lava rock trail to our destination. We will take the trail for the return trip. The entire hike will take a minimum of seven hours. It is not planned that we will reach the actual summit, as that would add approximately two to four hours to the hike.
We have not offered this hike for a long time. Please be sure you are in good health as this is a high altitude hike where even the most seasoned hiker may experience high altitude sickness.
Please read the following webpages:
http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/562-mauna-loa-usa.html
http://www.bigislandhikes.com/mauna-loa/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Loa
Carpoolers should meet at 6:15am at Lanihau Shopping Center parking lot in Kailua-Kona near Baskin Robbins. From there we will depart at 6:30am. 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 8:00am. From there it is another 30 minute drive to the trailhead parking lot.
For RSVP, call Kathleen 557-9246.
or email: konahikingclub@gmail.com
All hikers should be prepared for windy and cool weather, fog, rain or even snow 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. Hiking sticks are 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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