cblaisd

Another amazing picture with today's story:

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/...ws/local01.txt

And, add to the unpleasant ways that lava can kill you that perhaps you hadn't thought of

cblaisd

More..... http://www.kitv.com/news/15825790/detail.html

And more:

More: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ap...ING01/80408015

The Juiceman

Curious how today's flow or viewing opportunities compares with those of the past 25+ years. It's one thing to read the updates but to put that in perspective versus other flows in the recent past is difficult.
I guess any chance to watch Pele at work is golden but to those that have comparative experience or have monitored it in the past how would you grade what's happening currently?
Although I spent ten days in Puna in 2005 I never got very close to the action.
Seems like I got to Kehena Beach, blinked my eyes, and it was time to go home.

slippahs

Note the county's lava viewing site in Kapalana (the best place to see flow right now), has changed viewing hours from 5 - 10 p.m.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar...ING01/90126082

Again, the best time to visit is closest to gate closing, as you'll be able to park as close to the trailhead as possible.

iahphx

This month, I'll be visiting the Big Island for the first time in 4 years. I'll be travelling around the island for a week.

Finally, for visiting the Volcano, does the lava flow look different from before? Last time, I remember driving south into the Park to a viewing area where, at night with a telescope, you could see the lava flow into the sea. Does it look different now?

Thanks.

iahphx

Well, doing my own research, I see that the Kalapana lava viewing area reopened last year.

http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lavaflows2.htm

nomadine

Hi

I'm visiting in the first week of may, so I'll look forward to your posts on how your trip worked out. I'll be staying at Volcano House so I can do the night hike/hikes. Let me know if you find the rain or heat affects your trip. Are you planning on special lava boots?

iahphx

Pretty good viewing of the lava flow from Kalapana -- better than I had 4 years ago from the "other side of the road." No special shoes would be needed. Boots are obviously better than sneakers, but sneakers work. Don't try to do the lava in flip-flops. Flashlights are also a necessity. Temperatures not an issue, especially since you'll be doing the walk in the evening (Hawaii is not as hot as most visitors expect -- it is very temperate and comfortable most of the time).

Keep in mind that the lava viewing area is closer to Pahoa than it is to Volcano. In the past, I've stayed in Volcano, but I now prefer to rent a house in the Puna (SE) area instead. The weather is just MUCH more pleasant than in Volcano, especially in winter. And there's more opportunity for recreation, like swimming and snorkeling in the thermally-heated pools. The "Big Island Revealed" guidebook will steer you in the right direction.

nomadine

Thanks for the information on boots/sneakers and Kalapana.

As per the guide books, the Pahoa and Kilauea sides get similar weather. It must be that Pahoa is at sea level whereas Kilauea is higher up. That must make some difference in weather.
Its for me to discover next week.

iahphx

Yeah, it's definitely the elevation that makes the difference. I have spent time in Volcano in the winter and been warm, but I've also been there and it's been cold. Of course, I'd think May would be a bit nicer.

I'd try to time your walk so that you leave the parking lot at sunset. This way you could walk in with a little light. Iit would certainly make it a bit easier -- the footing is only so-so. Expect a fair number of people -- especially at sunset. I suspect there's little to see before the sun goes down.

slippahs

Yes, and if you read the first three pages, you could have easily found that out here as well.
May will bring you significantly warmer weather than in the winter months. It may still be long sleeve T-shirt cold but it shouldn't be sweater cold.

As for the Kalapana Hike: my suggestion is to go about 1-2 hours prior to closing. This will allow you to park as close to the trail head as possible, since other visitors will have left by then. If you go earlier, you can find yourself with a 1-1.5 mile hike to get to the trail head, depending on how busy it is that day. It is a spectacular sight and the county folks do a good job in maintaining and overseeing the trail. Good luck and drive safe (esp at night).

iahphx

This is actually a merged thread. Flyertalk's somewhat inadequate search function prevented me from finding the original thread. Hence the need for my own research.

As far as arrival time, I actually did arrive toward the end of the viewing period and DID get a spot right at the trailhead. That was good. Having to walk both ways in the dark? That was bad -- but certainly doable. But I guess you have to pick your poison: if the traffic is bad, perhaps walking in the dark is better.

nomadine

iahphx, slippahs

Since you have done it before, is it safe to leave laptops, equipment and stuff in a car and walk away into the dark? And I assume there are enough people around to walk to the trail head upto 10.00 PM or Midnight?

Thanks for all the hints. I can pack lighter and have carry on luggage only. I guess another issue would be that I should leave my tripod behind. TSA may not allow it on board.

slippahs

It's never safe to leave valuables in a rental car here in Hawaii, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you absolutely had to. The best deterrence to theft is to keep things out of sight, so if you have to, keep it in the trunk. There is limited lighting any way and the entrance to the parking area of the trail does have county officials/Big Island police officers, so it's not as bad as an unattended park but it's better safe than sorry, no?

bocastephen

If you do need to leave something in the car, put it in the trunk BEFORE leaving your point of origin. Never take something from the cabin and put it in the trunk after arriving - that's code for 'break into my trunk and take the stuff I just put there'.