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| Visiting Mauna Kea Safely and Responsibly |
If you live within sight of Mauna Kea, you’ve no doubt felt the tug…the allure. You wake up on a sparkling Saturday morning, look mauka, and say, “You know, we should go visit Mauna Kea sometime.” Often, that’s as far as it goes. But, on occasion, you act on that impulse. Maybe it’s the snow. Maybe it’s to visit the spiritual piko of this land. Maybe it’s a need to feel and smell that crisp, clean, thin air that’s been traveling over the vast Pacific for thousands of miles before making landfall. Maybe it’s just time to go. Whatever the reason, many folks choose to drive the Saddle and the Mauna Kea Access Road to visit Mauna a Wakea. Few places in the world allow one to travel from sea level to an elevation of over 13,000 feet in an hour-and-a-half! It’s that very ease of access, however, that can lead to severe consequences if you don’t do it carefully.
At the summit, you’ll be above 40 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere, which means, amongst other things, there’s a lot less oxygen in every breath you take. The decrease in atmospheric pressure can lead to severe complications for a good many people. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and/or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) are the worst case scenarios. Each causes headaches, nausea, loss of balance and muscular coordination, as well as a host of other unpleasant maladies. For some, this can be a life-threatening situation.
If you or anyone you happen to be traveling with develops one or more of these symptoms, the best remedy is to get to a lower elevation as quickly as possible. Young bodies can be even more susceptible, which is why we strongly recommend children under the age of 16 not travel beyond the Hale Pohaku/Visitor Information Station (VIS) facilities at the 9,200-foot elevation. Pregnant women, individuals with heart or respiratory conditions, or those with high blood pressure are also advised against traveling to the summit. Scuba divers must wait 24 hours after their last dive before going to the summit. Finally, all visitors should spend a minimum of 30 minutes at the VIS to acclimate and help their bodies adjust to the elevation change.
Other effects of high elevation may not be as obvious. These include very intense ultra violet radiation due to the lack of protective atmosphere. Severe sunburn can occur rapidly, so take precautions to protect your skin and eyes. Another subtle condition is dehydration. Because of the elevation, the atmosphere on the summit is extremely dry — typically less than 10 percent. Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated; it will also help to fend off some of the effects of high altitude.
Weather conditions at the summit can change rapidly, and storms develop with very little warning. You should remain aware of the conditions while you’re on or near the summit and dress appropriately for cold weather. Daytime temperatures can range from the 50’s to below freezing.
Steep inclines on both the paved and unpaved portions of the summit access road also call for diligence and care. Heed the 25 miles-per-hour speed limit, for both your own safety as well as the safety of others. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are strongly recommended. When descending, be sure to rely more on your vehicle’s gearing than its brakes in order to minimize brake wear and overheating, which can lead to brake failure. If you should encounter road grading equipment at work, please move to the side of the road that’s been scraped and make sure your vehicle can clear the temporary ridge that’s built up down the center of the roadway.
Recently, the University of Hawai‘i hired rangers to provide a permanent staff presence on the mountain, largely to provide health and safety information to the visiting public. If you visit Mauna Kea, you’ll probably meet one of them. Feel free to pick their brains about expected and/or developing conditions, as well as for information on the unique natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea. Most importantly, HEED ALL RANGER WARNINGS. They are there to help.
As far as facilities are concerned, you’ll find public viewing galleries at the W.M. Keck Observatory (along with restrooms), and the University of Hawai‘i’s 88-inch Telescope. There are also portable toilets at two locations on the summit.
For more information on visiting Mauna Kea, check out the VIS website at www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/ or the Public Safety section of our own OMKM website for more useful links. And, if you do visit Mauna Kea, be sure to stop at the VIS for up-to-the-minute information on road and weather conditions, maps and hiking information, and view observatory displays. The VIS is staffed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the year.
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Email: omkm@malamamaunakea.org
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