The following didn't fit within the video description: 🔹PLEASE, be prepared; elevation hiking is no joke! Be sure you have weather-proof clothing, sturdy worn-in boots, a good hat for sun and even one for cold, gloves, 👉more water than you think you need (I even had a jug in the car, for afterwards)👈, headlamp/flashlight, food, etc. (Be aware: expect for air-cushioned sealed foods, like snack bags, to rupture at such altitude. I even adjusted my water canister lids as I ascended.) 🔹Begin hydration the day before! Drink a ton of water; avoid diuretics. 🔹Be sure to check weather reports but be advised that the Big Island summits can invite unexpected weather. I went during the summer, to reduce the chance of inclement weather, but it has snowed on the summits, before, in the summer. 🔹I was surprised that I had cell signal nearly the whole way, thanks either to the experiments and diagnostics maintained by NOAA near the summit, to the observatories on Mauna Kea, or to the reach of the visitor center on Haleakala's summit on Maui. 🔹🛑 I made the mistake of losing track of time at the summit, and was faced with making my way down the slope in the dark. (I had a head lamp, but I don't recommend doing any of this trek in the dark!) Though it was beautiful with a sky so full of stars, it's not advisable. 🔹Wear and reapply sunscreen, including your hands and ears! I can't emphasize this enough! 🔹I had ear warmers that were most welcome from the wind's bite. 🔹Good sunglasses for the sun's brighter glare is recommended; a pair with the side guards would've been welcome wards against the wind (or at least having eye drops waiting in the car). 🔹Be sure your toenails are trimmed, too. Your feet will thank you on the descent. (The thick, cushy, warm socks I wore were appreciated.) 🔹Lip balm was most welcome, for soothing and protecting my lips from the dry air and the wind 🔹A compass or GPS marker device isn't a bad idea, especially in instances when fog moves in, impeding the ability to spot the ahu markers. 🔹Since I executed a day-hike from the Observatory Trail, a permit was not required, however, if you plan on staying in the Mauna Loa Cabin, on the crater rim, you will need one. Overnight camping without a permit is not allowed and you could face penalties. If you plan to climb Mauna Loa from the southeast side, near Volcano Park, then you must obtain a permit, since the hike from that approach (typically) can't be done in one day, thus staying in the provided cabins on that trail is mandated. Contact Hawaii Volcano National Park to inquire about backcountry permits, to stay in the Mauna Loa crater cabin or the Pu'u 'Ula'ula (Red Hill) cabin. 🛑There is 40% less breathable air at this elevation, so do not, I repeat, do not do this if you have respiratory or circulatory issues. Whenever I started to "feel it" I would immediately stop and allow my body to catch up. Don't think it's a moment to "push through it;" listen to your body during this hike. The immediate reaction for altitude sickness is immediate descent. (Scuba divers should know to avoid this hike, at least 24 hours after a dive; in fact, they should avoid traversing the Saddle, even.) 🛑Additionally, due to the terrain, I don't advise those with joint issues to venture on it. One can easily roll an ankle, twist a knee, slip and fall down on sharp lava, etc. 🛑Please, leave no trace.
The caldera collapse process at Mauna Loa must be an extraordinary sight. It’s been about 500 years, similar age as the last caldera collapse at Kilauea prior to 2018. Mauna Loa must pump out unbelievable quantities of lava and gases far exceeding what we saw in 2018, though.
Thanks for this great video and all the detail you provided. I'm going to attempt this hike next week. Like when I did Mauna Kea in 2019, I'm going to have three goals, so it's not hard to bail out early if my body isn't having it... (1) basic goal: 8 miles to the low base of the crater. (2) Bonus goal: make it to the first good overlook, @ ~13,200', 9.4mi round trip. Super bonus goal: the full 13 mile round-trip to the summit.
Thank you, Thomas. I appreciate that! 🤙 Please be warned, this week, in particular, is expecting inclement weather for the summit. Hiking Mauna Loa with heavy snowfall is not advisable--from having your footfall a mystery, to the extreme conditions, and to likely whiteouts obscuring visibility of the ahu markers. Here are two good weather monitoring sites I refer to where one shows not only the weather, but breaks it down by elevation: 1. www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mauna-Loa/forecasts/4169 2. gml.noaa.gov/obop/mlo/met.html Bonus -- general weather with radar: www.hawaiinewsnow.com/weather/ When you do venture, I wish you well on the adventure! I took a friend for his birthday this summer--his first time--and like me, it's changed him, forever. Be careful. Have fun! Additional piece of unsolicited advise: This time year, I'd highly recommend hitting foot to trail at *first safe* rays of dawn, to allow more time for the descent during daylight.
@@ExtantChronicles thanks again for the advice! I do a bit of mountaineering in Washington so I'm pretty familiar with moving in snow. The altitude is definitely a new element but I was up Kea a few days ago and felt okay. I figured walking up from 11k could only improve on that. I'll be carrying a GPS watch with a preprogrammed route as well as a Garmin Inreach. I did also check mountain forecast and noticed snow was predicted, but it looks like the freezing line was estimated to be about 800' shy of the summit elevation. I also read some beta from someone who bagged the summit five days ago that reported weather in the 50s, which aligns with my experience on Kea recently. Think I'm too confident given this information or should I be good? I was definitely eyeing a storm up there yesterday as I drove from Hilo to Kona though. Looked gnarly.
Trekking in Washington must be glorious, indeed! Sounds like you're familiar with altitude and arduous walking but I must say, the terrain of Mauna Loa is truly unforgiving, even in good weather conditions. Altitude is always a factor, on Mauna Loa, in good or bad weather, however, with unfavorable weather conditions, the issue becomes the terrain. Mauna Loa is wholly unlike Mauna Kea, during a snow or otherwise. (Mauna Kea's terrain is much more forgiving than Mauna Loa's.) The loose a'a on Mauna Loa is a real ankle-roller, if not careful, and the pahoehoe can become slick and unsure if wet/frozen. I've been on Mauna Loa when caught in an ice storm...no fun. Not being able to firmly determine a foothold on Mauna Loa, due to snow cover, would lead me to advise you to wait for a better forecast. If you find yourself coming down during the dark, spotting the ahu for direction could become problematic. You know your limits and experience, though, it sounds, so I am excited to hear of your journey, whenever you take it. 🤙😀 Much aloha!
great trip. I´ve been up there at the "public parking" so many times but never hiked to the summit.. I will do it next time. To have more time available maybe stay overnight at the parking lot. Whats the elevation difference you have to cover during the hike?
Hi man, really amazing video! Is it a round trip for 6 and half hours? I saw you parked at the observatory. Is this a separate place from the volcano national park? I always hike in the Bay Area on the weekend and I'm planning to go to this place for a solo adventure, looking for some advices, thank you!
The following didn't fit within the video description:
🔹PLEASE, be prepared; elevation hiking is no joke! Be sure you have weather-proof clothing, sturdy worn-in boots, a good hat for sun and even one for cold, gloves, 👉more water than you think you need (I even had a jug in the car, for afterwards)👈, headlamp/flashlight, food, etc. (Be aware: expect for air-cushioned sealed foods, like snack bags, to rupture at such altitude. I even adjusted my water canister lids as I ascended.)
🔹Begin hydration the day before! Drink a ton of water; avoid diuretics.
🔹Be sure to check weather reports but be advised that the Big Island summits can invite unexpected weather. I went during the summer, to reduce the chance of inclement weather, but it has snowed on the summits, before, in the summer.
🔹I was surprised that I had cell signal nearly the whole way, thanks either to the experiments and diagnostics maintained by NOAA near the summit, to the observatories on Mauna Kea, or to the reach of the visitor center on Haleakala's summit on Maui.
🔹🛑 I made the mistake of losing track of time at the summit, and was faced with making my way down the slope in the dark. (I had a head lamp, but I don't recommend doing any of this trek in the dark!) Though it was beautiful with a sky so full of stars, it's not advisable.
🔹Wear and reapply sunscreen, including your hands and ears! I can't emphasize this enough!
🔹I had ear warmers that were most welcome from the wind's bite.
🔹Good sunglasses for the sun's brighter glare is recommended; a pair with the side guards would've been welcome wards against the wind (or at least having eye drops waiting in the car).
🔹Be sure your toenails are trimmed, too. Your feet will thank you on the descent. (The thick, cushy, warm socks I wore were appreciated.)
🔹Lip balm was most welcome, for soothing and protecting my lips from the dry air and the wind
🔹A compass or GPS marker device isn't a bad idea, especially in instances when fog moves in, impeding the ability to spot the ahu markers.
🔹Since I executed a day-hike from the Observatory Trail, a permit was not required, however, if you plan on staying in the Mauna Loa Cabin, on the crater rim, you will need one. Overnight camping without a permit is not allowed and you could face penalties. If you plan to climb Mauna Loa from the southeast side, near Volcano Park, then you must obtain a permit, since the hike from that approach (typically) can't be done in one day, thus staying in the provided cabins on that trail is mandated. Contact Hawaii Volcano National Park to inquire about backcountry permits, to stay in the Mauna Loa crater cabin or the Pu'u 'Ula'ula (Red Hill) cabin.
🛑There is 40% less breathable air at this elevation, so do not, I repeat, do not do this if you have respiratory or circulatory issues. Whenever I started to "feel it" I would immediately stop and allow my body to catch up. Don't think it's a moment to "push through it;" listen to your body during this hike. The immediate reaction for altitude sickness is immediate descent. (Scuba divers should know to avoid this hike, at least 24 hours after a dive; in fact, they should avoid traversing the Saddle, even.)
🛑Additionally, due to the terrain, I don't advise those with joint issues to venture on it. One can easily roll an ankle, twist a knee, slip and fall down on sharp lava, etc.
🛑Please, leave no trace.
Beautiful view
Very cool hike. Thanks for posting. Great information. Wish the captions had been left on a bit longer.
Thank you for the feedback, dennis seifert, and for watching. 🤙
Thank you for sharing your beautiful adventure. Throughly enjoyed every moment. I pray I can Make it there one day
The caldera collapse process at Mauna Loa must be an extraordinary sight. It’s been about 500 years, similar age as the last caldera collapse at Kilauea prior to 2018. Mauna Loa must pump out unbelievable quantities of lava and gases far exceeding what we saw in 2018, though.
Thanks for this great video and all the detail you provided. I'm going to attempt this hike next week. Like when I did Mauna Kea in 2019, I'm going to have three goals, so it's not hard to bail out early if my body isn't having it... (1) basic goal: 8 miles to the low base of the crater. (2) Bonus goal: make it to the first good overlook, @ ~13,200', 9.4mi round trip. Super bonus goal: the full 13 mile round-trip to the summit.
Outstanding! I'm sincerely glad to know my input was of use to you, for your own adventure! Have a spectacular time! Aloha! 🤙
Thank you for the excellent beta! Thinking about doing it this week and this is a hugely useful source of route information.
Thank you, Thomas. I appreciate that! 🤙
Please be warned, this week, in particular, is expecting inclement weather for the summit. Hiking Mauna Loa with heavy snowfall is not advisable--from having your footfall a mystery, to the extreme conditions, and to likely whiteouts obscuring visibility of the ahu markers. Here are two good weather monitoring sites I refer to where one shows not only the weather, but breaks it down by elevation:
1. www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mauna-Loa/forecasts/4169
2. gml.noaa.gov/obop/mlo/met.html
Bonus -- general weather with radar: www.hawaiinewsnow.com/weather/
When you do venture, I wish you well on the adventure! I took a friend for his birthday this summer--his first time--and like me, it's changed him, forever. Be careful. Have fun!
Additional piece of unsolicited advise: This time year, I'd highly recommend hitting foot to trail at *first safe* rays of dawn, to allow more time for the descent during daylight.
@@ExtantChronicles thanks again for the advice! I do a bit of mountaineering in Washington so I'm pretty familiar with moving in snow. The altitude is definitely a new element but I was up Kea a few days ago and felt okay. I figured walking up from 11k could only improve on that. I'll be carrying a GPS watch with a preprogrammed route as well as a Garmin Inreach. I did also check mountain forecast and noticed snow was predicted, but it looks like the freezing line was estimated to be about 800' shy of the summit elevation. I also read some beta from someone who bagged the summit five days ago that reported weather in the 50s, which aligns with my experience on Kea recently. Think I'm too confident given this information or should I be good? I was definitely eyeing a storm up there yesterday as I drove from Hilo to Kona though. Looked gnarly.
Trekking in Washington must be glorious, indeed! Sounds like you're familiar with altitude and arduous walking but I must say, the terrain of Mauna Loa is truly unforgiving, even in good weather conditions. Altitude is always a factor, on Mauna Loa, in good or bad weather, however, with unfavorable weather conditions, the issue becomes the terrain. Mauna Loa is wholly unlike Mauna Kea, during a snow or otherwise. (Mauna Kea's terrain is much more forgiving than Mauna Loa's.) The loose a'a on Mauna Loa is a real ankle-roller, if not careful, and the pahoehoe can become slick and unsure if wet/frozen. I've been on Mauna Loa when caught in an ice storm...no fun. Not being able to firmly determine a foothold on Mauna Loa, due to snow cover, would lead me to advise you to wait for a better forecast. If you find yourself coming down during the dark, spotting the ahu for direction could become problematic. You know your limits and experience, though, it sounds, so I am excited to hear of your journey, whenever you take it. 🤙😀 Much aloha!
great trip. I´ve been up there at the "public parking" so many times but never hiked to the summit.. I will do it next time. To have more time available maybe stay overnight at the parking lot. Whats the elevation difference you have to cover during the hike?
Hi man, really amazing video! Is it a round trip for 6 and half hours? I saw you parked at the observatory. Is this a separate place from the volcano national park? I always hike in the Bay Area on the weekend and I'm planning to go to this place for a solo adventure, looking for some advices, thank you!
😎kool