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Mauna Kea in winter
Location: Big Island, Hawaii
Many people are surprised to learn that it snows in Hawaii, but it's true. Our two tallest mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, have snow caps for many months of the year. Mauna Kea rises 13,796 feet (4,205 m) above sea level, while Mauna Loa's elevation is 13,680 feet (4,170 m) above sea level.
A few days ago, my fellow Hawaii-based blogger, Andrew Cooper, who works at one of the several astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea's summit, mentioned the first snow of the season on his blog, A Darker View. It didn't last very long, but soon it will be cold enough at that elevation for the snow to begin to accumulate. Most years, the snow atop Mauna Kea lasts until late spring.
Here is a photo of snow-capped Mauna Kea, which I took a few years ago. We can see Mauna Kea from several spots in our garden, but I took this photo from my neighbor's field. Think of it as a preview of things to come -- very soon.
32 comments:
Thanks for your preview and info:)Does anybody skii there or is it too dangerous?
@ chrome3d
People do ski, and snowboard a little -- sort of. But mostly they do it just to be able to say that they have done it. There are no established ski resorts, no lifts or rope tows or anything like that. Still, there's something decadent about playing in the snow up on the mountain, and then driving back down to sea level to a sunny beach immediately afterward.
Bobbie
Beautiful & lovely picture.
Have a nice day.
I love snow capped mountains. This is beautiful and I like that one little cloud on the end. :-)
Lovely snowy montain.
We don't have snow over here.-)
Beautiful! I wait with bated breath
for the next exciting episode.
How much more beautiful will it be? Awaiting the next. :)
Beautiful photo. Haven't been to Hawaii, in a while, your photos take me there.
Isn't Mauna Loa still an active volcano? Don't think I'd want to ski there!
Beautiful picture, plus I learned something new this morning. Didn't have any idea it snowed in Hawaii. Thanks for the lovely picture and the knowledge.
A beautiful shot of an impressive mountain! Thanks for the interesting information, because I didn't know that there was snow in Hawai.
I've never been to that part of the world -- but I sure would like to visit...
Snow in Hawaii! Well, that sure is a revelation to me. ;-)
That is beautiful! It WOULD be fun to play in the snow, then hit the beach!
That's a beautiful shot and interesting to learn more about Hawaii.
Bobbie: What an interesting fact from our 50Th state. Snow is something I wouldn't never have expected to happen in your part of the world.
Beautiful photo from your world:) I HAVE to visite Hawaii ones! It's so beautiful!
Today we had a few minutes with snow. And I was so happy:)
What a stunning view from your garden
Just gorgeous! I never know that it can bee snow in Hawaii8]
Bobbie, was aware of Mauna Kea each time my husband and I visited Big Island (4 times) Also Love those macadamia nuts! Ha! Just joking. Big Island is my favorite of all the islands of Hawaii.
Oh that is amazing. Do people ski?
Nice snowy scene.
Wow that's very true I would never associate snow with Hawaii. Thanks for sharing.
I didn't know there was snow in Hawaii, but mostly because I didn't stop to think about the height of the mountains. Of course, the first time I was in Hawaii, I saw penguins and when I told my husband, he thought I'd been out in the sun too long.
Great post!
Excellent and informative!
Great MyWorld Post!
Cheers, Klaus
Thats quite a shot. You don't think of snow capped mountains in Hawaii.
Good info.
I didn't realize there was snow on the mountains in hawaii. I learned something else new today.
Oooh its a bit early to be thinking of snow! Lovely picture Bobbie.
Thank you all for visiting. Looks like I was right: There are a lot of people who are unaware that it snows on Hawaii's highest mountains.
@ Mojo - Yes, Mauna Loa is still considered to be an active volcano. It last erupted in 1984, but is expected to erupt again sometime. This photo, though, is of Maun Kea, which is Mauna Loa's neighbor.
@ Wren - I can't imagine where you saw penguins in Hawaii, unless it was at Sea Life Park on Oahu.
Bobbie
Impressive photo !
Looks like a long mountain range ! Nice to see snow early ! Weather must be getting cool/cold !
JH
http://www.photojournalist-tgh.tv
Hi Jinghui - It's only cold near the summits of the mountains. Here at sea level it's still about 82 F (28 C) at this time of year.
Bobbie
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