The Thrill of Hiking a Volcano
When people think of Hawaii, most see calm beaches and gentle seas. While this is true, it’s not all that Hawaii has to offer. For people of a more active persuasion, there is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or HAVO. The park is enormous, containing two quite active volcanoes and ranging from the mild beaches to the chilly apex of Mauna Loa.
The most recently formed volcano in the world is found in the park. It’s name is Kilauea Caldera, and it has incredible vistas made of hardened lava and craters. It also erupts regularly, so if you plan to hike those 140 miles of trails or camp in the park, it’s likely you’ll witness the flowing lava. It’s not at all as exciting as the movies show though. The lava here flows at a constant crawl, not exactly the stuff of Hollywood dramatics. There are many other things to explore in the park’s 333 thousand acres, so plan on a long vacation if you expect to see it all. If you’re in a hurry, then the hour or two that it takes to drive by all the park’s attractions will definitely make you want to come back.
If you want to drive or hike through the park, be sure to get the latest map at the visitor’s center. The look and landmarks of the land change so constantly because of the lava flow, you see, and old maps may be useless. You can also call the park hotline for information on the current day’s volcanic activity and where the best views of the lava flows are.
Unlike the rest of Hawaii the weather can change very quickly in the park. The temperatures can be about 15 degrees cooler here than in Kona, so plan to dress appropriately. The park can have blistering heat from the sun’s reflection off of the lava flow. It can be hot and steamy one minute and change to a chilly downpour of rain with little or no warning.
If planning to visit the volcanoes you should be prepared and dress appropriately. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring sunscreen and lots of water. The heat can cause dehydration quickly so be prepared with lots of fluids because this little nuisance is preventable. Always follow the signs and stay on the trails. Fatalities do happen here at HAVO. The most common are due to people wandering off and getting lost in the park and people getting too close to newly formed lava paths. These lava flows can collapse causing injuries, or even worse death.
If you’re on the beach and smell rotting eggs, move away. This is the smell of sulfur, a byproduct of lava touching the ocean. The toxic sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid are emitted when that happens. These gases are bad for pregnant women and young children, especially. They may also cause problems for people with asthma and other respiratory complications.
If you’re looking for a thrilling experience, or simply want a story to tell your friends, certainly Hawaii and HAVO can accommodate you!
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