Climbing Mauna Kea

On New Year's Day, we drove up to watch the sunset from Mauna Kea. The very top was closed because of high winds. We climbed the cinder cone (Pu'u Kalepeamoa) at the visitor's center with a few dozen other brave souls. It was about 40 degrees with 80+ MPH winds. We were dressed for the cold, but nothing could have prepared us for the wind. Barbara and I clung to each other for fear of being blown off the top of the peak. I have Never. Been. So. Cold.

Dana and Barbara climbing the cinder cone:

Here we are at the top of the cinder cone (about 10,000 feet elevation). We were all dressed like homeless people wrapped in blankets. That tiny dot in the sky is the full moon:

Barbara and Dana holding on to each other for dear life:

Megan and Shannon anchored against rocks for safety:

Steve - the only one brave enough to let go:

Megan's hair tells the tale of the wind. That's Shannon doing her Miley Cyrus impersonation.

Sunset views from the top. Yes, that's the full moon at the top of the picture:

We will never forget this New Year's Day. We are all happy to be alive.