Mauna Kea Volcano - Hawaii, USA

The dormant volcano Mau Kea (4,207 metres) is the highest volcano in Hawaii. It is also the highest mountain in the world measured from its base at the bottom of the ocean. This trip becomes a challenge when the steep slope of the volcanic rocks meet the thin air at altitude.

In Hawaiian mythology, the peaks are sacred symbols, and since Mauna Kea is the highest of them all, it is considered the most sacred. The islanders believed that as the highest mountain it was the home of the gods and goddesses.

In order to reach the top of the mountain, the most popular route is by 4×4 car, but our recommendation is to walk the Humu'lu trail.

Practical guide for hikers

The route starts on the trail at the Ellison Onizuka Visitor Centre which is reached by car. It is a completely free trail, but a form must be filled in.

The path is easy to find from the visitor's centre. The path is marked with a stone path and is right next to the road made for cars.

The route is 6 km long and this section of the route climbs 1,395 metres. With a relaxed pace it is possible to reach the summit in 6 hours. Mauna Kea has more than one peak, but the summit is not very pleasant. Temperatures can vary between 30º at highs and -1 at lows and the oxygen level is very low. If you have been able to cope with altitude sickness, it is highly recommended to reach the summit to see the views from this height. The view above the clouds is impressive.

In the vicinity of the summit more than 11 countries have installed infrared telescopes to look into space. One of the world's largest telescopes, the Keck telescope, is located there. Although it is not possible to take a tour, there is a photo gallery and a 12-minute video that informs about the design of the observatory and the scientific results obtained.

Another option is to climb the volcano late in the day so that when the sun sets you can watch the sunset from the top of the mountain. It creates a spectacular contrast between the white of the clouds and the red and yellow of the sun.

Advice for hikers

As this is a very high mountain area, it is important to gradually acclimatise to the altitude. The visitor centre is already at an altitude of 2,804 metres, which also requires some adaptation work.

It is quite likely that someone could suffer from altitude sickness during the tour. If this were the case, these are some of the symptoms that would be experienced: Headache, Nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, increased heart rate and difficulty sleeping among others. If you feel any of these symptoms, these are some of the steps to follow: do not climb any higher in the next 48 hours, descend as much as possible, do not exercise, drink plenty of water, take some medicine to help you cope with altitude sickness.

It is possible that there may be fog that does not allow for high visibility. Normally this fog usually disappears and it is quite easy to find your way. In any case, it is advisable not to get separated from the group and try to follow the marked path up to the summit.

It is recommended to carry plenty of fluids to help combat heat and fatigue. Also, as mentioned before, if you suffer from altitude sickness, drinking water helps with fatigue, so liquids are more than necessary. Along with the drink, taking into account that it is a 6 hour trek, it will be necessary to bring a lunch to help replenish energy.

As far as clothing is concerned, it is a very hot trail but the sun is very hot and at this altitude the wind will not help to make it very hot. It is important to wear long garments to protect yourself from the sun's rays because of the direct exposure. You will also need a visor to protect you from the sun and sunglasses with UV protection. The feet must be well protected and must have a sole that holds well on the rocky ground. We will carry a backpack to carry our drinks and food. Lastly, we will include a jacket to protect us from the cold when the sun has entered.

It is important to use sun cream. We may not feel the heat but the blast will be direct, so very high protection against the rays will be necessary. We recommend using very high protection sunscreen and applying it liberally every time you stop to avoid any burns or damage to the skin.