Hiking Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, US
Tips for a Successful Summit Hike on Hawaii's Tallest Mountain
Jun 4, 2009
Of the thirteen climate zones on the entire planet, the Big Island of Hawaii has no less than eleven. This remarkable statistic means that it is possible to travel by car from a tropical beach to the peak of a snow-capped mountain in about an hour.
For those travelers adventurous enough to leave the soft sand and temperate South Pacific waters, a hike up one of these volcanic peaks is a must.
Mauna Kea – Tallest Mountain in the World?
There are two huge mountains on the Big Island of Hawaii – Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The higher of the two is Mauna Kea at 4,207 metres (13,803 feet) above sea level. Mauna Kea is actually the world’s tallest mountain when measured from the ocean floor. It is a staggering 10,203 metres (33,476 feet) tall – which places its summit well over 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) above that of Mount Everest’s.
The combination of Mauna Kea's altitude and dormant volcanic status help make it one of the best astronomical sites on Earth. Subsequently, the summit is home to an international community of a dozen observatories run by teams of scientists from all over the world.
Mauna Kea also attracts a fair amount of hikers for the dazzling summit views to be expected from an alpine peak in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean.
The Mauna Kea Trail
The main trail to the summit is simply called the Mauna Kea Trail and begins a few hundred feet from the Onizuka Visitor Center at 2,804 metres (9,200 feet). The Visitor Center can be reached from either side of the island via Saddle Road.
The trail itself is well-marked. Tall iron poles have been placed every 500 feet or so making it very difficult to stray to far off course. There is also a partially paved service road running parallel to the Mauna Kea Trail all the way up to the summit observatories.
From the trailhead, it is a strenuous 9.6 kilometre (6 mile) hike to the peak of Mauna Kea. Although no technical climbing skill is required, there are 1,395 metres (4,576 feet) of elevation gain – most of which is at altitude. This means that the oxygen levels in the air on Mauna Kea are substantially lower than at sea level. Less available oxygen means less oxygen can be absorbed by the lungs. As a result, most hikers will end up hiking at a slower pace than normal.
Depending on the hiker, it can take six to ten hours to reach the summit. The hike down takes between three to four hours on average. Sometimes it is possible to hitch a ride down from the summit area with a patrolling park ranger or one of the many tourists who drive to the peak.
This trail is open year-round but because of its elevation, it is susceptible to the quick and often drastic weather changes that are common with mountains of this size. Hiking the Mauna Kea trail in January and February should be avoided by novice hikers as snow is inevitable on the upper sections of the trail.
Recommendations for a Successful Hike to the Summit
The Mauna Kea trail should be avoided by any hikers who:
- are under 16 years old
- are pregnant
- suffer from respiratory and/or heart conditions
- are severely overweight, or
- have been scuba diving less than 24 hours before arriving at the trailhead.
Proper hydration is essential on this hike. Drink a lot of water before you start and carry plenty of water with you as there is no available water on the trail until you reach the summit area. Wear a hat and cover any exposed skin with plenty of sunscreen. Hiking boots are not necessary but good quality sunglasses and a camera are essential.
If possible, arrive early in the morning and spend at least an hour at the Visitor Center before starting out. This will help the body acclimatize to the altitude. Bring some Ibuprofen for later in the day when muscle ache and/or minor headaches can start to become bothersome.
If you are properly hydrated and experience severe headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, drowsiness, light-headedness or general malaise, you may be experiencing altitude sickness. The only remedy is to immediately descend to a lower altitude as quickly as your condition will allow. Altitude sickness is always a risk when hiking above 2,500 metres (8,000 feet) and should be taken very seriously on a mountain as high as Mauna Kea.
Further Information
 |
 |
 |
