A Matter of Degrees

A Matter of Degrees was Originally Posted on June 6, 2004 by lavarock

In preparation for company, I have been cleaning the house for the past couple of days. A KonaWebber from Maui came by to look at real estate near by and also wanted to see my farm. Another friend also came down. Except for me, all names will be withheld for reasons soon to be obvious

After a brief tour and a cup of coffee, we were all three off on an adventure.

Recently, Madame Pele has been streaming lava down the pali and into the ocean. We went to investigate. We drove from Captain Cook along the southern route, past the entrance to the Volcano National Park and over to Pahoa to see some properties.

Many of the houses are quite nice, but right next door there might be a real shack. Some homes show pride of ownership, some LOOK like a shipwreck

We grabbed some dinner in Hilo and proceeded back to the park. Since we got there after dark, there was no one to collect our fees. Here I was prepared to buy a year’s pass too!

We skipped the standard tourist things like the observation area and the caldera and lava tube and went straight down to the end of Chain of Craters Road. By this time, many people had already left and we were able to pull into a slot right near the end of the parking area closest to the volcano.

We began our long hike. Parking is quite a bit further from the end of the road then previously, because of recent lava outbreaks (which actually cover the road and permanently disable it). One good way to determine what kind of viewing there is and how long until you get there, is to ask people you meet along the way.

The hike to the end of the trail took about half an hour or so. THEN, after the end of the marked trail, we ventured further towards the glow in the sky. The trek reminds me of a science fiction movie where the alien calls earthlings to the mother ship and we blindly follow. Parents were carrying their babies along the trip and that is something, which I DO NOT recommend. There are dangerous and harmful fumes in the area. Sulfuric and Hydrochloric acid fumes irritate the nasal passages. However, onward we went.

As we started the hike, it started to sprinkle; the rain getting heavier as we went. As we got to the end of the marked trail, I was drenched.

Once past the marked trail, the park service prefers you do not go, but they understand the drawing power of the ability to see new land being formed. The park service does notify you that you are on your own and issues enough warnings to scare most people, but yet, onward we continue. Because of the rain, I did not try to take many photos.

Once past the end of the marked trail, it is important to swing your flashlight beams away from in front of you and constantly look for glowing spots in your path. When the solid rock begins to get a sandy texture and you feel sudden warm air bursts, you may be closer to lava than you realize. I noticed that the front of my shirtfront was dry because of the heat and now the rain had stopped. This was my case. As I walked along and tried to be vigilant, someone noticed that I was standing inches away from a glowing crack in the earth. It appears I may have been a foot or two above 2,000-degree lava!!!!! The ledge I was standing on might give way and I could experience a really life changing event!

I quickly decided that I was close enough to the ever-present lava flows in the distance.

As is the custom, one of our lava-viewer regulars brought a bottle of gin, which all three of us had chipped in on. The gin is for Madame Pele and legend says it is her favorite beverage. You pour the beverage on the rocks just before she claims that part of the earth.

Our member of the group was ready to pour the gin on the rocks as we retreated. I mentioned why not pour it into the spot where I had been standing. As he poured the gin in the hole there arose much steam and then the gin caught fire! Who would have known how big the fireball would be! We about lost a member of our team, and on this point I do NOT jest! It was as if he had lit gasoline with a match. Flames danced out of the hole in the dark light and other people nearby were as surprised and we were. The flames remained for what seemed like 30 seconds. That was long enough for a few of us to think that the flame were permanent and perhaps started some type of chain reaction where the flames would be self-generating. They did not, but we were worried nonetheless!

We are not quite sure of the reason, but have suggested that either one of us still owes pennence to Pele for previous misdeeds, or she realized that brought 1 pint of the cheapest gin we could find…

After much driving and hiking I have no real photos of the event. One attendee says she has a photo of the fireball, but we won’t know for a day or two. I decided that I was NOT going to stick around out there and quickly retreated to a safe distance. The whole way back I purposely told many people to be very very careful if the venture past the end of the marked trail.

In thsi case, I was warning people to avoid a fate worse then death