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Hawaii Trip 2009, Mar. 8 - 14
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This was my second time observing from the summit of Mauna Kea. I bought a small Nikon P&S camera for this trip. It did a pretty good job, but the big Sony Alpha is still better in low light conditions.
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We arrived at Kona under a light rain. As we made our way towards the central part of the island, the rain increased in strength. I forgot how green the grass can be in Waimea.
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I snapped these pics in the rain along the saddle road.
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The saddle road is still very narrow, but they are making improvements.
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I checked into my spartan room at Hale Pohaku.
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Here is my tiny in-room office for the week. Notice the snacks. Macadamia nuts and coffee. I got a package of Ka'u that was awesome. The label was hand written so I knew it was going to be good.
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Working hard in the IRTF office.
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On Wednesday we took a day trip down to Hilo because I had an interview. We stopped at Rainbow Falls. This time the recent rains had made it much more powerful.
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Me at the falls.
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The lower river.
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River above the falls.
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Grove of trees near the falls.
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As we ascended the slopes of Mauna Kea we came out of the clouds and I noticed this stunning vista.
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On Thursday I decided to hike the summit trail. Fog was swirling around me as I climbed the trial above Hale Pohaku.
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One of the ridges higher up on the trail.
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The ground up there shows these interesting patterns. I think the wind must create these lines.
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I felt a little light headed, and had been hiking for almost an hour. I finally got a vista of the summit which had quite a bit of snow. (This is Hawaii).
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This was about as close as I got to the snow. The lake is just ahead. It was getting quite chilly at this point, and I had to be on the telescope later that night.
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Early Friday morning I felt like a zombie. At 13000 feet you already don't feel that great. After staying up all night and hiking during the day it really takes a toll on you.
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Steve Croft looked a little tired as well.
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Friday evening before the sunset.
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Looking East from the summit. The wind chill was pretty miserable. It was a good thing I rented a parka.
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Here I am bundled up in my parka.
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Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT).
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View of Mauna Loa, which also had a fair amount of snow.
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Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO).
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This was in my hotel room the night before the trip. Lars commented that you might as well just drink it, and then fill it up with tap water. They might not notice.
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This photo is on the wall of the IRTF office.
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All photos copyright Edward Laag 2007