The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-01-07
HAWAIIAN GAZETTE
From the Male WREATH
A Trip to the Summit of Mauna loa.
Honolulu, Dec. 22d, 1873.
BIZ W. W. HALL, ESQ.

HONOLULU. Lee. Z-u. lCao.
DEAR EDITORS Having been often
urged by friends to write an account of
nv trip 10 the top, and into the summit
crater of Mauna Loa., made few months
since. l have endeavored to do so, and
trust that the result may be of interest to
the readers or hearers of the Male
Wreath.
TWAS Thursday, the 18th of September,
that 1 left Mr. Reeds pleasant ranch at
Kapapala, accompanied only by Johnnie,
halfcaste. who was well acquainted with
the mountain and who acted as guide.
He was well mounted on sorrel horse,
accustomed to chasing cattle over rocks
and ravines; while l rode little brown
mule, with pair of tremendous ears,
whose crowning virtue was his power of
endurance.
1t was beautiful day; the sun was
bright, and the top of Mauna Loa, stood
out clearly defined against the Western
sky. The rays of the morning sun lit up
the side of the vast dome-shaped noun
tain with a rich golden hue. which con-
trasted charmingly with the light, ieecy
clouds that hung like a wreath just above
the line of woods. From the top could
be seen the faintest column of white
smoke, indicating the direction of the
fires above; while little to the right,
but near score of miles away, We could
see the thick smoke constantly rising from
Kilauea, and passing off towards the
-, nth. Our road lay through pleasant
= ~. -. land for distance of seven miles,
till Ne .>eached Ainapo, Mr.. Reeds upper
ranch. We had now reached an altitude
of over four thousand feet, and the air,
even at midday seemed cool and invigorat-
ing. Mr.. Henry Candle, who has charge,
kindly furnished US with lunch and all the
milk we could drink also large canteen
full which we took up the mountain with
us.
We started from Ainapo at two o'clock,
accompanied by native from kilauea
riding knock-kneed horse, and driving a
pack mule carrying a tent, provisions and
blankets. The ascent was now quite rap
id, and our road led through open woods,
filed with wild cattle, and over patches
of Strawberries, in some places covered
with fruit We passed on through the
woods, then over tedious beds of pahoe-
hoe, where only stunted ohia and bunch
grass can grow, pausing once or twice
only to water our animals at the holes
along the road. Johnnie caught young
goat among the rocks, which he killed,
taking the choicest cuts along to roast at
our camp fire. AT four o'clock we reach
ed the place where former parties had
camped. The place was we'll marked by
the ashes of camp fires, and the numerous
empty cans and bottles lying round. As
it was so early, asked the guide if we
could find grass and wood farther up the
mountain, and as he replied in the affirma-
tive we continued on until halfpast five.
We halted in a sheltered spot with a level,
sandy bottom, and plenty of grass and
wood near by. 1t did not take long to
build roaring fire, pitch our tent, tether
our animals, prepare and eat our supper
and by seven o'clock we were all rolled
up in our blankets and fast asleep. At
three in the morning the guide was up to
rebuild the fire; and he soon found that
his horse and the pack mule had left for
parts unknown. 1t was very dark, but
Johnnie started down over a path that
could hardly follow in the day light; and
by six o'clock he returned with both, hav-
ing gone below the camping ground be-
fore he found them. As so much time
had been lost, had almost given up the
idea of going to the top and back the
same day. But when / saw him return ]
could have embraced him on the spot for
JOY. We hurried through our breakfast,
then taking all that We needed for the ter.
rible jaunt before us, the guide and
started at halfpast six. The native was
ordered to carry the tent and baggage
down to the lower camp and there avail,
our arrival at evening. We toiled on
over the dreary wastes of rough pahoe
hoe and scoria for miles, with nothing to
break the monotony of the scene. The
ascent became more steep as we went
higher, until within two miles or so from
the crater, where it seems to be quite lev
el When short way from the top we
passed over two short arms of an old a.
flow, where it would seem impossible 70,
animals to so. We reached the eastern
verge of the great crater at halfpast ten
four hours from our camp. Ibeliere thi,
is the best time that has ever been mad,
in ascending Mauna Loa. We left oul
animals on the brink, near the crack wher,
ice and water are to be found. Moku