Big Island Hawaii Explorer

Transcription

1 # 1933 Hawaii s Big Island is not only big in size, but also in diversity. There are snowy mountaintops, lush jungles, windswept grasslands, picturesque beaches, and lava fields - you can see all these without ever leaving the island. And we plan to walk on land that is much younger than you are! This trip is planned as an exploratory trip. We want to get to as many nooks and crannies as time will allow. BUT we also want to see the newly created land, lava fissures, and if it is still happening, molten lava flowing into the Pacific Ocean! The volcanic activity which began in early May 2018 may be continuing, or it may have subsided. Hawaii s volcanoes are a national treasure and the key to this can be found at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. At this writing, Kilauea is still in a very active phase. Current plans are to explore lava tubes, steam vents, sulfur banks, and maybe hike the crater rim. Our plan is to have an expert volcanologist guide with us for the days we spend in and around Volcanoes National Park to explain volcanoes, oceanic versus continental plates, Madame Pele (the goddess of volcanoes and fire), types of lava and myriad other topics. While we cannot get to all of them, the Island has hundreds of miles of trails crossing several different climate zones and landscapes. Our plan is to hike to areas with spectacular waterfalls, historic sites, a green sand beach, black sand beaches and other scenic vistas. Our hikes to the beaches will often allow us to snorkel in and around these areas. If there is enough interest, we may be able to arrange for optional helicopter tours. From these, we hope to get a bird s-eye-view into an active volcano and watch the lava put on a show, soar over lush rainforests, spot breathtaking waterfalls the

2 page 2 view from here is unique and simply awesome! Estimated cost for this is about $250 per person. It may however, constitute the best way to observe lava activity. One of the truly unique opportunities is to see molten lava flowing into the ocean. This is occurring at the time of this writing. It had stopped previously. If the lava is still flowing into the ocean at the time of our trip, we will offer an optional boat trip to see this spectacular phenomenon. Since this may or may not be occurring at the time of our trip, we have decided to not add this to the cost of the trip at this point. If we are able to do this boat trip, the estimated cost will be about $ During our trip, we plan to visit a Kona coffee plantation to have some of the world famous Kona Coffee as well as a macadamia nut plantation to see how one of Hawaii s signature crops are raised. One afternoon and evening, we will visit Mauna Kea- the world s tallest mountain (true!), stop by the world s largest array of observatories and spend a night of what just might be the world s best stargazing with our own telescopes. If the history and culture of Mauna Kea don t leave you awestruck, watching the celestial show from above the clouds certainly will. Due to road restrictions, this included excursion will be using a guide service. All hikes be day trips in the 4-8 mi. range at an altitude of sea level to approx. 4,000 feet. Our evening at Mauna Kea will be at almost 14,000 feet but we will not be hiking at this elevation. The tours we have planned will touch upon the beauty of the Island, the history and of course, it s past and current geological legacy. Vans will be used for our transportation. This trip is designed for the intermediate hiker - no beginners. For snorkeling, good swimming ability is imperative. The trip will focus on volcanic activity, hiking, beach-combing, swimming and snorkeling on the beautiful and topographically diverse island of Hawaii. Like most Hawaiian islands, Hawaii is divided by its central mountains into 2 distinct areas. Trade winds bring frequent rain showers to the east creating a lush environment and fueling hundreds of tall waterfalls, while the west is relatively arid. Our group will stay in comfortable lodges/inns. We will drive to trail heads and beaches in rented vans. Besides the other listed items, we plan full and some half day activities each day around the entire island, often with stops for a swim or picnic lunch at a scenic beach. Cost of approximately $ includes all breakfasts (possibly continental) and all dinners (except while in route), lodging and vehicle fees. Not included are insurance, airport departure

3 page 3 taxes, items of a personal nature, cost of hospitalization, if necessary. Airfare is not included but estimated to be $600-$1000. Leaders will assist in making reservations. Trip fee is based upon current costs, transfer fees, vehicle rental and hotel rates. Increases must (unfortunately) result in increased cost. There is an additional fee of $60 for each non-amc member. A reservation deposit of $ per person is due upon application. The balance is due in 2 payments: $ by 1 November and $ due by 1 January. Cancellation fee as follows: 121 days or more before departure - $50; days before departure - $200; days before departure - $300. In case of cancellation after 15 January, refunds will be made on the basis of the leaders being able to find a replacement. Make checks payable to AMC/Hawaii and mail with application/medical form and Assumption of Risk form to leader. Space is limited and reservations must be made early. Bob Bentley, your Leader, has been leading or co-leading Adventure Travel trips for over 35 years. Art Paradice, also Leading, has been leading or co-leading Adventure Travel trips for over 15 years. Both leaders are long time members of the National Ski Patrol as Nordic Patrollers. L: Bob Bentley, 60 Wenham Rd., Carver, MA ( , 7-9 p.m. please) bentleyr@h2otest.net CL: Art Paradice: ( ). doubledice@icloud.com As participant safety is a high priority for all AMC-sponsored events, procedures and policies have been developed to attempt to limit participant risk. Participants are expected to work with volunteer leaders to reduce risks and make the experience successful for all. Participants should be aware that there are risks associated with outdoor adventure activities, including but not limited to adverse weather and environmental conditions, remote locations of our trips and camps, and transportation in vehicles, on foot, by boat, or on a bike. When you apply for acceptance onto a trip, please carefully read and sign the Adventure Travel Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks and Release and Indemnity Agreement and call if you have any questions. The price for this excursion is based on quotes or estimates obtained at the time the trip was submitted to the Adventure Travel Committee for approval. The final price of the trip will be adjusted in accordance with the best final arrangements we can make. Any savings we achieve, as well as any cost increases we incur, will be shared by trip participants. Our cost estimates are conservative, and so a refund is considerably more likely than a price increase. All Adventure Travel trips are run on a non-profit basis and refunds, if any, are issued after the trip s financial accounting is complete. The trip fee that you pay to us includes coverage for emergency medical evacuation and assistance through Travel Insurance Services. This is not standard medical insurance or trip cancellation insurance. It will cover up to $5,000 for accident expenses (and sickness expenses only for international trips) and up to $200,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation. Coverage only includes the dates of travel of the official AMC trip, so coverage for early arrival or trip extension is not included. This coverage includes access to a "Worldwide Assistance

4 page 4 Center" that provides the support you or your family may need in a crisis, beyond what the AMC and/or the volunteer leaders may be able to provide. It will also document the incident should a claim need to be filed. Leader Expectations of Participants When you participate in this activity, you should be in proper condition for the challenges outlined in this prospectus and equipped with the appropriate gear as stated. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Prior to your acceptance as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. We may also request references to confirm your fitness level and suitability for participating in trip activities. This trip is designed so that everyone may experience our adventure in Utah s National Parks through shared participation in activities and tasks in an organized group environment. AMC travelers are known for their cooperative efforts, and expectations are that all participants will be considerate of others sharing this AMC Adventure Travel experience. It may happen on any trip that a trip member is or becomes unable to participate in one or more of the planned activities. Leaders in their sole judgment have the right and obligation to refuse participation in any activity to any group member for reasons of safety, whether it be of the group or of the individual. Illness, injury or lack of proper gear or fitness for a particular activity are examples of some conditions that might result in a participant s being unable to perform one or more activity. Leaders may try to find a substitute activity for the trip member, but this may not always be possible. Any extended trip requires cooperation among participants. We expect the group to work and play together as a team. Participants are expected to offer assistance to the leaders and their fellow participants when appropriate. We will try to plan at least one pre-trip get-together so we can begin to get acquainted with each other here at home. We will do everything possible to create a friendly atmosphere throughout the trip so that participants can focus on enjoying the scenery and the experience. We encourage each participant to let us know how the group dynamics are working for him or her throughout the trip. First and foremost, we aim to experience the canyons enjoyably and safely! Participants may be asked to drive rental vehicles. AMC policy requires that all drivers (including leaders and participants) driving records will be checked. We appreciate any and all volunteer drivers

5 page 5 Possible Itinerary Changes A detailed itinerary will be provided as we get closer to the trip. It will represent what we feel are the best things to do at the time of writing. The Big Island is undergoing a volcanic eruption at this time. Various factors may require changes for reasons of safety, transportation or lodging availability, and unforeseeable circumstances (such as weather considerations, natural disasters in areas to be visited, or recommendations of governmental agencies). The leaders reserve the right to make such changes as necessary, both before and during the trip. Everyone is expected to accept necessary changes, be cooperative, abide by the leaders decisions, assist leaders as requested, and add to the total group experience while enjoying themselves. Though leaders will try to offer options and solicit participant preferences when possible, the decision of the leaders will always be final as they are ultimately responsible for the safety of the group.