12-24-2017, 01:34 PM
Mauna Kea Ski Report, ...
...Or, what will have to pass for one.
I got up there about 10/10:30am, or there abouts.
My topo, photo, web cam recon had me liking Pu'u Poli'ahu for my first try.
It looked to have a pretty moderate slope down the South side of the "bowl", the area with the white minerals, or what ever on it in the summer pics, and few large rocks and boulders.
Plus, it looked to be the shortest distance to get to it.
I have since changed my mind.
One reason is that the West slope of the bowl shows signs of slab avalanches.
The dry snow will not stabilize quickly.
But, it is probably safe.
You go first.
The other is that I've seen what seems to be a better Pu'u to try.
Now, Some might be tempted to say the dotty old fool is not a young buck any more.
I'd rather interpret it as, I need more conditioning both physical and acclimation to the altitude.
I have been a 140# hyper active most of my life.
So, I have never carried much, if any, body fat, until recently.
I am now the proud owner of a moderately small pot belly, the most expensive thing I own.
Plus, I am very stiff jointed.
When I bend over to put my socks and boots on, I can't breath and go hypoxic until I straighten up and take some deep breaths.
I could pass out trying to buckle my boots.
A higher red cell count might help with that.
I have never been and never will be limber.
The snow isn't all that good.
It is wind blown with shiny reflective areas all over it, except where the wind blown particles are covering it, giving a mildly variable snow.
The temps and radiation are warm enough for the snow to melt.
But, because of the very low humidity, I think the snow sublimates instead of melting.
No moisture in it, just dry water ice crystals.
I've skied worse.
But, it was a long time ago.
Alpine gear should be able to handle it nicely with moderate skills.
I liken a snow board to using a 20# hammer.
It should smash anything.
It will take polished skills to do it with finesse using telly gear.
my skills are a bit corroded right now.
I traveled about 1/4 mile maximum [round trip] before deciding that the road and terrain that needed to be crossed, to get to the area I wanted to get to, were too steep.
And, I was too out of condition.
I was pretty shaky and wobbly when I started out, but muscle memory seemed to be coming back by the time I got back to my vehicle.
My muscles were getting their memory back but they were also tiring very quickly.
There was a thundering herd up on top.
Surprisingly, a very high number were up there shoveling snow into the back of their trucks to take home for their kids' Xmas day.
I liked that.
On the way out, I was surprised to see that most of the line of vehicles stopped at the highway turned towards Kona.
I guess Mauna Kea doesn't belong to just Hilo and the East side.
I'm thinking of doing something that is not me, exercising to condition my legs to be able to go up the hills and make the turns.
Then, going back up to spend more time at altitude to condition for that facet.
We'll see. Talk is easy.
I might be more tempted if the snow had more moisture in it, so that it would soften in the sun.
I am thinking of going back up on Tuesday, though, to take a closer look at Pu'u Hau Kea. It looks to have a nice moderate slope and easier to get to.
But, the snow surface is covered with shiny reflective snow, not very inviting.
To be honest, I'm ambivalent, now that I'm back home.
...Or, what will have to pass for one.
I got up there about 10/10:30am, or there abouts.
My topo, photo, web cam recon had me liking Pu'u Poli'ahu for my first try.
It looked to have a pretty moderate slope down the South side of the "bowl", the area with the white minerals, or what ever on it in the summer pics, and few large rocks and boulders.
Plus, it looked to be the shortest distance to get to it.
I have since changed my mind.
One reason is that the West slope of the bowl shows signs of slab avalanches.
The dry snow will not stabilize quickly.
But, it is probably safe.
You go first.
The other is that I've seen what seems to be a better Pu'u to try.
Now, Some might be tempted to say the dotty old fool is not a young buck any more.
I'd rather interpret it as, I need more conditioning both physical and acclimation to the altitude.
I have been a 140# hyper active most of my life.
So, I have never carried much, if any, body fat, until recently.
I am now the proud owner of a moderately small pot belly, the most expensive thing I own.
Plus, I am very stiff jointed.
When I bend over to put my socks and boots on, I can't breath and go hypoxic until I straighten up and take some deep breaths.
I could pass out trying to buckle my boots.
A higher red cell count might help with that.
I have never been and never will be limber.
The snow isn't all that good.
It is wind blown with shiny reflective areas all over it, except where the wind blown particles are covering it, giving a mildly variable snow.
The temps and radiation are warm enough for the snow to melt.
But, because of the very low humidity, I think the snow sublimates instead of melting.
No moisture in it, just dry water ice crystals.
I've skied worse.
But, it was a long time ago.
Alpine gear should be able to handle it nicely with moderate skills.
I liken a snow board to using a 20# hammer.
It should smash anything.
It will take polished skills to do it with finesse using telly gear.
my skills are a bit corroded right now.
I traveled about 1/4 mile maximum [round trip] before deciding that the road and terrain that needed to be crossed, to get to the area I wanted to get to, were too steep.
And, I was too out of condition.
I was pretty shaky and wobbly when I started out, but muscle memory seemed to be coming back by the time I got back to my vehicle.
My muscles were getting their memory back but they were also tiring very quickly.
There was a thundering herd up on top.
Surprisingly, a very high number were up there shoveling snow into the back of their trucks to take home for their kids' Xmas day.
I liked that.
On the way out, I was surprised to see that most of the line of vehicles stopped at the highway turned towards Kona.
I guess Mauna Kea doesn't belong to just Hilo and the East side.
I'm thinking of doing something that is not me, exercising to condition my legs to be able to go up the hills and make the turns.
Then, going back up to spend more time at altitude to condition for that facet.
We'll see. Talk is easy.
I might be more tempted if the snow had more moisture in it, so that it would soften in the sun.
I am thinking of going back up on Tuesday, though, to take a closer look at Pu'u Hau Kea. It looks to have a nice moderate slope and easier to get to.
But, the snow surface is covered with shiny reflective snow, not very inviting.
To be honest, I'm ambivalent, now that I'm back home.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.