11-30-2023, 05:37 PM
unless all camping sites are defined as retreats
I organized, and hosted, a photograph retreat on Mauna Kea the week leading up to July 11, 1991 in which a dozen world class photographers, and their various teams and other guests, gathered to do photographic sessions on and around Mauna Kea, culminating in being on the summit for the total eclipse on that date.
DLNR was very fussy about permits, and access around the entire island was controlled because they feared we'd be overrun by eclipse groupies traipsing across the landscape without regards for local concerns. I was able to secure permits to set up a tent city of sorts on the summit of Ahumoa, which is a large cinder cone on the mountain's southwest flank, and from there held day trips around the island, and had evening sessions at Kilohana in which individuals shared their experiences.
It was an odd experience. That side of the mountain is dry, and omg is it dusty, but the view was wonderful. And besides the army was playing war games that week, complete with bombing runs coming out of Oahu at night that just lit the entire saddle up.. and amazed us as we looked out from our perched campsite.. and even through the eclipse wasn't as spectacular as it might have been because of clouds and a blanket of ash in the upper atmosphere from Mt Pinatubo, everyone had a great time.
I organized, and hosted, a photograph retreat on Mauna Kea the week leading up to July 11, 1991 in which a dozen world class photographers, and their various teams and other guests, gathered to do photographic sessions on and around Mauna Kea, culminating in being on the summit for the total eclipse on that date.
DLNR was very fussy about permits, and access around the entire island was controlled because they feared we'd be overrun by eclipse groupies traipsing across the landscape without regards for local concerns. I was able to secure permits to set up a tent city of sorts on the summit of Ahumoa, which is a large cinder cone on the mountain's southwest flank, and from there held day trips around the island, and had evening sessions at Kilohana in which individuals shared their experiences.
It was an odd experience. That side of the mountain is dry, and omg is it dusty, but the view was wonderful. And besides the army was playing war games that week, complete with bombing runs coming out of Oahu at night that just lit the entire saddle up.. and amazed us as we looked out from our perched campsite.. and even through the eclipse wasn't as spectacular as it might have been because of clouds and a blanket of ash in the upper atmosphere from Mt Pinatubo, everyone had a great time.