Mauna Loa summit trail, HI

Posted by free.ranger (A) on February 24, 2015 at 20:28:28

Second attempt in 3 years. I still couldn’t get to the crater, but I did manage to get onto the top venting surface with zero slope. The crater perimeter is all within the national park boundary, drawn very close to include it, and I was well past that, well above 13,000 feet elev. Breathing was painful. Ten steps, then stop and wheeze for a minute. Legs, hips and shoulders were screaming.

This is the worst piece of butt-ugly “trail” in existence. Several high-altitude miles one way, it is not a fun hike, as you can see. Every step is a potential ankle-breaker. If I fell down, this stuff would have cut me into stewing meat. I beat my poor ass to the bone, leaving from the NOAA site at 9:30 am, climbing until 2 pm, then forcing myself to start down because of daylight management. Getting caught up there in the dark is frightening. "Summit fever" up there can kill you. Was back to the car at 5 pm, and could barely walk at all. Totally gassed out. Last evening, I just sat in a bathtub for a half hour.

A nice couple looking fit and in their early twenties passed me coming and going, having made it all the way to the real summit, about an additional 2.2 miles from first reaching the top. Disgustingly chipper.

Now in Hilo to hang, recuperate, and drink coffee. Maybe there’s a flight-seeing trip available to get me over the summit. Apparently I’m too over the hill to get there, although I almost did it. Very very close, but not. I thought I could do it. Much better than last time, but very disappointed — again. Screw it. Third time is a charm.

Bottom pic is the NOAA Atmoispheric Observatory at 11,000 ft, looking across to the slope of Mauna Kea.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Topic - Mauna Loa summit trail, HI - free.ranger 20:28:28 02/24/15 (0)

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.