MAUNA KEA REPORT
The Big Kahuna State High Point?

Using the free-day on the Big Island our 13-day Globus tour allowed, we rented a car and bagged Hawaii's high point - Bill: 40, Diane (pic): 36. Ah-lo-ha! (Use Saddle Rd. from the east or west). As is recommended, we spent an hour of acclimation time at the 9000ft. Visitor's Center on Mauna Kea Access Rd., killing time by watching their safety video and perusing the gift shop (the Winger's hp guide is here).

That done, we headed up going from near sea level to almost 14k, a big change. Ranger Dave, the VC manager, said that even he and his staff can get sick if not cautious going up and down. From the VC it's 8 miles. The road turns to a dirt, washboard surface for 6 mi. then back to paved again for the final 2 to the short summit hike. Do baby steps, catch-your-breath pauses, and you're there.

Renting a car for the venture was confusing since rental vehicle liability is a biggie on these islands. Designated roads are off limits. The one-and-only "legal" rental company was too inflexible for our free-day window, pick up and return-wise. One company refused to rent when we mistakenly announced our intentions. Becoming frustrated we assumed a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, rented from a name company, and drove their car to the summit. A 2WD would work; in fact, we were issued a Jeep Laredo with AWD despite our request for a 4WD! Anyway, it ascended flawlessly, a no-brainer!

Dave said there were 9 companies which run tours to the summit. Our Globus guide was of no help with this info. Our pre-trip research only turned up 1 outfit which did a sunset gig with dinner on top for big bucks. We wondered if they carried oxygen for such as a white-haired, white-sneakered 80-ish couple from Passaic who've never been higher than High Point, New Jersey. Sure hope so. Our early AM start made us lone hikers under a bright, blue sky. We spent a 1/2hr. taking pics and got back down for lunch in Hilo.

Using naivete' or owning more "free time" then we had is an advantage. Working out the rental acquisition logistics turned out to be harder then the actual short walk to the 13,796ft. summit after parking at the observatories. Following MK we needed the remains of the day to reach South Point. (See post). That morning we arose at 415 in our hotel south of Kona. A $40 cab ride got us to the airport for car pick up then we were off on a long day and a 200+ mile circuitous drive.

Note: Technically, standing on the top of the Pacific, you're on the highest mountain in the world, exceeding Everest, when scaled from the ocean bottom. And all this time we thought mountain tops were measured from sea level. http://americasroof.com/hi.shtml