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PICT0874
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On my left is the ocean and through the clouds, the island of Maui. However, in the distance of this photo is Mauna Kea with a whit cap of snow. This is my destination.
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PICT0882
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Here is a slightly different shot to show the contrast of the black rock and the snow. Note the white rocks in the lower left of the photo. To brighten up the area, locals and visitors add short sayings or initials of loved ones.
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PICT0883
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Another shot of the mountain. It is about 80 degrees at sea level.
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PICT0886
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As you drive up the mountain, you must stop at the visitors center to acclimate yourself to the altitude (which is about 10,000 at this point). It is common to see trucks filled with snow as people descend the summit.
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PICT0887
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Because the mountain summit is somewhar remote, Astronomers can rent a place to stay near the visitors center. Note the snow on the roof of the truck.
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PICT0888
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Local Astronomers set up telescopes at the center to allow anyone to see the sun and stars. There are informative talks going on inside the building. You should rest here at least 1/2 hour before going onwars (and upward).
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PICT0890
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More snow heading down to the beach. How else can you make a snowman in paradise?
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PICT0891
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Still more snow :-)
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PICT0892
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Some warning about the area including how changeable the weather is, how dangerous it is to play in the snow with sharp rocks below you, the sunlight is extremely bright and beware of traffic dangers.
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PICT0893
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More warnings. These tell just how dangerous the area is. If the weather traps you in, you could be there a week! They really mean it when they say it is a remote location.
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PICT0894
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The top sign asks to to leave the area clean and not to rearrange stones, or build rock piles. You are also in a free range (open area for livestock) and must be careful driving. Dark colored cows can be difficult to see against the dark rocks; therefore cows could be "invisible"!
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PICT0896
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This is one of only about 500 silversword plants on Mauna Kea (it is a few steps from the visitors Center. It can live from 3 to 50 years and when it finally flowers, it dies. The silversword is an endangered plant.
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PICT0898
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Another silversword. These were planted and not naturally occuring. The upper right of the photo shows a small flag inserted in the ground near the plant. These plants are about the size of a head of lettuce.
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PICT0899
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Not far above the visitors center we found snow. Here, people warmly-dressed are skiing and snowboarding down a slope. You must be very careful of sharp rocks!
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PICT0900
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In the scheme of things, this is not a tall mound, but it is high enough for a downhill run.
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PICT0901
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On this Saturday, we were NOT alone up there! A steady stream of cars ascended and descended the mountain. For this shot we are at about the 12,000 elevation.
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PICT0904
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A snowman in Hawaii. You HAVE to love it :-) Why is it that people think we are tropical. With 11 of the worlds 13 climate zones, snow is one of the many we enjoy!
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PICT0907
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Yes you really are in the clouds up there.
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PICT0908
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Another warning sign. Notice the holes in it so that high winds do not carry the sign away.
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PICT0911
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One of my promotional photos. It didn't turn out as I hoped. I'm squinting because it is so bright up there. Not obvious in the photo... I'm wearing shorts!
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PICT0916
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More squinting... That is a bag of my Pele's Passion Kona Coffee (grown about 13,000 below the summit of the se mountains). No, I was unable to see my farm from here...
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PICT0917
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That is a cinder cone in the background. I was outside for about half an hour dressed like this and was not yet cold. I don't know if that was because I'm used to cold weather, or perhaps I WAS cold and didn't notice because of the lack of oxygen?
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PICT0921
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Another promotional photo. "Pele's Passion Kona Coffee is perfect as Iced Coffee too!"
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PICT0924
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Slurp! By the way, the hat says "ItsKona.Com"
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PICT0925
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This is one of the observatories up there at the summit. Some have webcams so you can watch the snow from sea level or off island.
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PICT0928
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Some observatories are not very large. Most are not open to the public and the only restrooms available to travelers may be a port-a-potty down the road.
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PICT0929
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It was about 3:30pm and the clouds were starting to close in. We decided it was time to leave. If the road gets icy it can be very hazardous.
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PICT0934
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This shot is from below back up towards one of the many peaks.
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PICT0937
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There you have it. From sea level to the top of the world in just a few hours. Some interisland flights don't get up this high, and I drove!
Minutes after taking this photo, I realized that my car brakes were not working correctly. That is a long story, but we got back to sea level without driving off the mountain, but that was always a very possible event. The road is barely wide enough for two cars to pass, there are no guardrails and it is quite steep with hairpin turns. Add a bit of snow and ice, some heavy clouds and a minimum amount of oxygen and you have a very scary trip down with funky brakes!
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