Aloha,
Pu’u O’o vent has been like my second home for a very long time. The flows that started coming down its NNE side back in Jan slowly covered what use to be a vast area of interesting and challenging lava flows from the early 1980’s.
This is a series of posts from many of my hikes there this year. This area has played a major role in my lava exploring for the past 22 years. We have a history. This isn’t just another ooh look at my pretty photos type blog. My posts never are. I document the volcanoes activity through still images and video.
Seeing that this post covers my adventures from Jan – July 2013, there’s quite a bit to read and view. I could have easily made an hour or two long documentary but, of not many people would have found time to watch it all.
Also loading something so large to the internet would have taken forever. I have my usual image galleries to view and this time 29 videos to watch. Some hikes the footage needed to be broken into multiple videos to keep them under 10 minutes. It’s definitely a lot to take in all at once but, hopefully you find it worth the effort.
So, if this intrigues you to read on, get comfortable, you’re going to be here awhile. Or at the very least, “You’ll be back”.
The video is what it is. Not looking for Hollywood accolades. I’ve edited and re-edited to get them down to what they are. Not looking for constructive criticism as I could watch them often and find something I might have done different when editing or shooting. Actually I have over and over but, sooner or later I had to finish this project. I used minimal processing. Most was on the GoPro video. Some GoPro videos once uploaded are a bit sharp. Don’t really know why. Might replace them later. All purples seen in the lava flow in both video and still photos are methane flames burning. I’m always open to general comments so, feel free to leave one. Please do tell me if you have any issues when trying to view both my website images and videos on Vimeo. All videos are HD so, they might load slow on poor internet connections. All video and images are available for licensing. Each video clip is much longer then what you are viewing and all are shot in 1080p HD from both my Nikon D800 and GoPro Hero 2. Original videos are better quality then the uploaded compressed ones. ***All content copyright protected 2013 © Bryan Lowry / lavapix.com All rights reserved worldwide***
“January Gales – End of an era” 1-23-13
Anyone who lives here on Hawaii, The Big Island of Hawaii can tell you we had a very windy winter. Windiest I had ever experienced here.
This hike would become a huge challenge due to these winds and the cold. Yes, it was 43 degrees at the coldest time with 45-50 mph steady winds. Throw in the rain and well, it was Pu’u O’o in the winter. Nowhere else I’d rather be.
At this time the first flows were heading down Pu’u O’o’s nne side and soon it was going to forever cover what had been the most interesting route up Pu’u O’o for nearly two decades. I loved everything about this hike. Navigating it at night was my favorite thing to do. On a rare occasion I brought someone along they would marvel at what we were crossing and how we were headed up an active volcano vent that stood large and powerful in what was seemingly the middle of nowhere. Once daylight came they were blown away to see where we were.
On this night the nne cone was extremely active and still growing. Large spattering events and a rolling overturning lava lake that at one time had lava bubbles the size of cars going off. No photos of the bubbles as we were huddled down in a huge downpour with those strong winds. I always hike in shorts and even then I didn’t bother with long pants. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways. It was cold regardless.
The then growing west cone would periodically roar like four jet engines releasing gases into the night sky. Huge flames would go with the sounds. This is a scene I’ve saw many times in the past up there during other eruptive episodes. For me its a very relaxing sound. It’s when everything suddenly goes quiet that you need to start worrying. No worries that night as the jetting was ongoing the entire visit.
I had a few opportunities for both video and photos but, they were very short-lived and I decided it best to keep my gear dry and safe. After all I did have a rental Nikon D800 and a Nikon 14-24 mm lens. My D800 was in for repairs after a nasty saltwater bath two weeks earlier. Yes hawaiicamera.com this is one of the places I took your equipment. No worries I treated it like it was mine 🙂
No matter what I did the video was shaky and great photos were hard to come by. Considering the conditions they turned out fine.
There would be no true sunrise on this day so, we headed back down along the slow-moving flow to a gently sloped area of Pu’u O’o. The area that would be of interest on the next hike. At this time is was not far from the leading front of the lava flow. There were nice slow-moving lobes of pahoehoe lava to warm us up and help dry our clothes. This pahoehoe flows lobes were much different from what you would see on the flats by the ocean. They were many times larger.
Once rested and warmed up it was time for the trek back to the forest and the long hike back to the car. As we started our way down I knew this might be the last time I ever see this part of the trail again. So many memories. I could write a book solely based on the hikes up this route.
View images 1-23-13 Puu Oo
Video – Youtube 1 23 13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800
Video information. 1-23-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800
I only shot video with the Nikon D800. You can easily hear and see the strong winds. The spattering lava was trying to shoot to the left but, it was quickly blown back to the right. There was the typical jetting sounds and very large flames from burning gases. I was lucky to get what I did considering how terrible the weather was.
“Skylights Are Fun” 3-13-13
I’ve always had a thing for hiking to skylights no matter how far it might be. I’ve had my share of great experiences at dozens in the past 21+ years.
This hike had two destinations. The skylight and as described in the next story, the ancient cinder cone.
The skylight formed pretty much right where we had stopped on our way down Pu’u O’o the previous hike. Yes, my friend wanted to tag along again. He knows when I have a new adventure planned it’s going to be good and difficult at the same time. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This skylight was three-quarters of the way up Pu’u O’o so, there was a bit of climbing to do and much of the route still survived for now.
The skylight was easy to locate even in a slight fog. Skylights always need to be approached ever so cautiously and this one was no exception. The great thing was after checking the entire surrounding area out, the skylight was right on the tube’s western edge so we had nice old cool lava to set our gear on and there was no fear of a collapse. Actually this tube was near its capacity and the flow was running extremely fast. What made this tube so much more different than others I’ve seen in the past was its close proximity to the source of the flow and it had two flows within it.
Yes, that’s correct. Multiple flows. Most lava tubes have multiple chambers that can be layered several deep. They are most easily seen when the volume is low. This flow being right near the top had an upper chamber that was flowing at a slightly cooler temperature and it flowed onto the faster moving and hotter main flow. This was a sight to see. We would sit and watch this for about an hour. Great video can be viewed here.
Another thing or danger about hiking to skylights is the nearby areas along the tube system. Usually further down the tube there will be areas of growing skylights where the crust is very thin and there’s a real danger of dying. If you don’t know how to locate such areas or have no understanding of how it all works, then stay away. Stay safe and stay alive. Watch my videos and look at my photos.
“Have You Ever Wondered?” 3-13-13
Puu Kahaualea and the Kahaualea lava flow #1.
Estimated to be between 400-700 years old this cone has mostly stood protected from man until this hike. Before Pu’u O’o’s start in 1983 this cone was buried in the depths of a deep rain-forest. In 1983 Pu’u O’o a’a lava flows would surround the cone. Actually its two cones that are adjoined in the middle. Or one cone with two pits. More on that later. The Kupaianaha shield would form just southeast of the cone and leave the area with nasty shelly pahoehoe flows. In 2007 the new large rift would open from Pu’u O’o’s east spillway and track two miles to the east leading to the huge fissures that would seemingly cut off this area forever. A friend and I visited the early stages of the new fissures right away via a very tough hike up from Hwy 130 in Kalapana. There were at the time three perched lava lakes that stood between us and the ancient cone.
I’ve always wanted to visit this cone but, the above flows made the trek too much and dangerous too with all the continued lava flow activity in the area. The perched lava lakes and following huge fissures and then the TEB vent would forever cut off access from the south. Then in early 2013 the flow coming from Pu’u O’o’s now large NE spatter cone would travel the long journey to this area and beyond.
After our visit to the spectacular skylight, my friend and I set off for the ancient cone.
Never having been to this side of the cone this was truly a new adventure. I had a good idea of where we had to go and how to avoid the huge older a’a lava flows. Remember, it’s dark but, my navigation skills are more than up to the task. It’s highly likely that no one has ever hiked here before. Helicopter visits to the area by HVO of course but, via hiking, unlikely.
The flows butting up against the cones base were still mildly active so, now and then a slight glow was visible. Whether what we were seeing was near the cone remained a mystery as we trekked over newly formed pahoehoe flows. We stayed close to the edge of the 1980’s a’a flow for when we needed to vacate the hot flow at any time. The main part of this flows activity was now another 1.5 miles further to the NE heading in the direction of Pahoa. As much as I would have like to of hiked to the flows front, the ancient cone was my goal. I knew this might be the one and only time it could be safely reached.
Once we reached the cone it was obvious the flow was still weakly active all around us. Nothing to worry about. It was a welcomed sight as the flow would provide heat on a very cold night. I explored the area to assure our safety and set out to try to capture some images. It was tricky as it was very windy and there was just enough misty rain to mess up my lens quickly. Also, there were too many places I wanted to be at for sunrise but, I of course had to settle on one.
Once sunrise was over I wanted to see if we could get to the top of fissure D from the summer of 2007 eruption.
We made several attempts but, the shelly pahoehoe was just too much and getting injured being nearly 10 miles from our vehicle wasn’t something I wanted to deal with so, we gave up on that and proceeded back to the cone to climb it.
Climbing the cone was anything but easy. The flows that butted up to its n, w and s sides caused fires to spread over the area between the adjoining pits and this left deep cinder sides covered with a deep layer of burnt ferns and other flora.
The cinder was about knee-deep and on a very steep slope. Every tree we would grab hold of would break as they had burned through.
Once we did make it up to the top we were greeted with a great view and a truly old growth forest in the two pits.
This is when I wondered, has any human ever been here before? Of course it’s surely possible. But, maybe not since ancient Hawaiian’s from back in the days when it first formed. Or never.
Regardless, it was a special feeling of accomplishment to have reached the area after so many years of wanting to hike this area northwest of Kupaianaha. Also, to possibly be only one of a few people to ever see this cone in person.
Now this might not mean so much to anyone who has bothered to read this far but, to an explorer like myself it doesn’t get any better.
As much as I wanted to stay there for many more hours, I knew we had a long hike back and weather was moving in quick. Nothing new in the area surrounding Pu’u O’o vent. The route back had to go back up and by the skylight. The flows were warm and there was a brief break in the rain that allowed us to warm up a bit. The skylight was losing its vigor and in a sealing up stage. Timing is everything and this hike timing was perfect. I study the lava flows religiously and once again it’s paid off.
This same scenario would play out for the next several months as it has for over two decades. Careful planning and great timing.
Heavy cold rain would accompany us the entire way back but, it couldn’t dampen what was another great adventure.
View images 3-13-13 Puu Oo Flow
Video information.
Youtube 3 13 13 LavaTube Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 GoPro Hero 2
The first video shows the upper chambers lava flow flowing onto the main lava tube flow. Light winds allowed for great sounds of the activity. 3-13-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 The second video shows brief clips of both the ancient cone and the skylight in the daylight. In the forefront of the skylight video is a very large string of Pele’s hair. 3-13-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2
“End of an era” Part II 5-14-13
The only question is, how much of the trail is left?
By now the first Kahaualea flow had died out and stalled way out in the middle of nowhere.
The Kahaualea II flow was now going strong and headed north/northeast, north and northwest to the forests edge.
Nothing but steady rain from the start all the way to the lava flow front. Lots of mud. The rain continued for the first few hours at the lava flows. The flow had progressed nearly down to the flats before the forest. It was on the old A’a flow section only 100′ from the cinder fields section. The flow was in an inflation stage so, forward progress was slow and the front was shallow and hot. I was able to kick back on the old a’a flow. Glow could be seen much further to the east on the other side of a large A’a flow.
Due to the nature of the flows there was little area to explore. The flows still hadn’t covered all the rough terrain so, getting around was too slow and dangerous. You don’t want to get trapped. My goal was the flow hitting the cinder area but, It wasn’t getting there on this visit. The rain went on for so long I decided to head down to the cinder area for a more comfortable area to sit and watch the flow. No sooner than I dropped my gear the rain stopped and out came the stars shinning bright. The milky way was in the southern sky bright as anything you ever have seen in the night sky. Early twilight was starting so, I knew there wasn’t much time to capture it all together. Not knowing how long the rain would stay away I snapped off a couple of photos even though the scene I was at wasn’t the best. Knowing I had at the very least those first couple of images, I gathered up my gear and made a quick pace back to the flow front on the A’a flow. The air was cool crisp and clear. Ideal for long exposure milky way shots. The flow was inflating with very weak breakouts which was also perfect. Puu Oo vents glowed in the distance. It was my first opportunity for this type of shot with my Nikon D800 and my 16mm lens. It all worked out perfectly and I finally captured shots I have thought about since the 1990’s. Puu Oo was the main subject. Never thought I’d see the day the north slope and trail would get such a nice pahoehoe lava flow. The milky way making an appearance made me forget all about the lava not hitting the cinder area yet. It just meant I would need to return, and soon. This was the first hike with my new Dolica carbon fiber tripod. Weighing in at 1.5 lbs less than my older tripod made it easier to carry. The Proline Professional Classic. What an excellent tripod. Costco for a mere $200. I now had my pack weight down to 55 lbs for this hike. What a great feeling shedding 10-20 lbs. Now the question was, where will the lava be at on my next hike there? It wouldn’t take long to find out. View images 5-14-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 5 14 13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 This first video shows what little activity there was but, in an interesting area never the less. 5-14-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 The second video is a short clip showing a condensed version of about ten minutes of hiking. It was the only area of easier hiking that existed out there. 5-14-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2
“End of an era” Part III 5-17-13 Lava in the cinder
My goal is the flow on the cinder area of the old trail or anywhere near there. It was the usual rainy hike and lots of mud. More and more trees had fallen in the forest leaving false dead ends. This is something I’ve seen over and over the past few decades. There was a time way back when, when the trail was barely shoulders width and a compass was needed. Once out of the forest the rain fell even heavier and there was little glow to be seen from the lava flow. I made my way out past the forest edge and beyond the kipuka to the east towards the cinder area. Once beyond the kipuka glow from slow-moving lava flows could be seen to the east. The lava flow had completely covered the old a’a flow and was now slowly covering the large cinder area. This cinder area consisted of cinder from early 1980’s fountain episodes from Puu Oo vent that covered some nasty slabby/shelly pahoehoe flows. So, one treads cautiously in this area. It’s easy to fall into small old caravans that are up to 5′ deep. Nothing that will kill you but, they would surely cut you up good. There’s nothing like pahoehoe lava flowing over cinder. It slowly picks up the tiny cinder as it flows and for a short time the cinder rides along on the top of the flowing pahoehoe. It’s quite interesting to watch. Fortunately for anyone who finds this of interest, I not only have images but, I also have great video. The rain finally let up just before sunrise allowing for some interesting images. There were few opportunities for photos on this hike. The activity was subdued and of course there was the rain. Great examples of the flow burning moss and lichen. All in all it was another great hike. My feet were killing me but, totally worth it. What would the next hike bring? View images 5-17-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 5 17 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 GoPro Hero 2 —-5 17 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 In this video you will get cinder being picked up by flowing lava along with the burning of moss and lichen. Also, the sounds of the activity. The crackling of both inflating and cooling lava flows. Also brief rain squalls hitting the hot flows. 5-17-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 Much of the same as noted above but, from a different perspective. The GoPro casing has been melted before but, it was melted even more this hike. It shut down a few times from heat but, it always came back on. 5-17-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2
“End of an era” Part IV 5-28-13
Knowing most of the activity had progressed well to the east, I waited nearly two weeks before returning. I had done a few other hikes during that time so, my feet were still shot. This time the trail was a swamp, oh wait, it’s always like that. The rain persisted until just before sunrise. The lava had moved closer to the forest edge ways to the east of the trail. It was in a much rougher section of the cinder area. The nearly full moon would light up the night sky once the rain stopped. Puu Oo’s plume was drifting between the moon and myself. This was great as it evened out the lighting perfectly. Also, for once the air was very still and cold. By this time the old route was all but gone. Only the barren flats at the forest was left. It extended maybe 100 yards to a stalled but, inflating lava flow. Just after sunrise a rare sight appeared at Puu Oo’s western rim. A very large vortex formed. I had my very wide lens on so, I quickly tried to change to a longer lens to better capture this event. I manged to get the lens changed but, the vortex had already started dying out. I did get a few photos but, the intense heat from the surrounding lava flows blurred them. It was a beautiful morning and a nice hike back even with all the mud. View images 5-28-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 5 28 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 This video show mostly the stillness and the fuming vents on Pu’u O’o vent. Also, you are now starting to hear the sounds of the nearby forest. Insects and chirping birds. This will be constant from here on out in all videos. 5-28-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 On this hike I only shot time-lapse video with the GoPro. Its more about showing Pu’u O’o’s plume. The camera shifts early on in the TL due to a small methane explosion moving it slightly. 5-28-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse
“End of an era” Part V 6-11-13 Kipuka Burning
Wow, only minimal mud. Nice fast hiking in those rare conditions. It would be the only the second time in 8 months of hiking. Lots of smoke and cloudy most of the time out there. By this visit the lava to the far east and immediate east were well into the forest and the methane explosions were many and tremendous. I started hearing them an hour into the forest. About 2 miles. These aren’t anything like the small ones back in 2010 in Kalapana. These were more like what I imagine an IED might be like. Later in this hike I would see one and what it could do. The lava flow nearest the trail was now well into the large kipuka. Actually this kipuka was a peninsula. The open space between it and the main forest was a very interesting area full of caverns that were about 3-4 feet deep but, they were very large with pillars throughout them. I so wanted to be at these when the lava flowed there but, I would miss that opportunity. Ahh, no rain for once. What do I do having so much time to shoot without worries? Just what I always do, explore and enjoy the activity all around me. There was a flow further to the west and much farther from the forest edge but, it was smaller and early in its growing stage. I did venture over to the east a bit but, much of that area was still too active to venture into. There were no great images to be had on this hike but, some nice ones for the continued documenting of this flow were captured. Lots of great video. Nice little methane explosion too. Only a few feet from the camera. Not me, as I had the camera set up in a small thick of trees hoping one would go off and it did. At this time the flow I was at seemed to once again be in an inflation stage. The area I was at in my earlier hike was now under an extra 20-25 feet of inflating lava. It was amazing to see how much the flow had inflated with each hike. Once it was daylight and it seemed not much forward movement was going to happen on this day, I decided to hike on back to the car. Two things would occur once I was all packed and starting my hike. The first was a huge methane explosion about 200′ away in the kipukas edge. It blew a full-grown tree right out of the ground. Throughout the time there explosions just like this would happen far in the distance at the more active flows. Sometimes the dust and debris would rise over 50′ into the sky. The second would happen just as I took my last look at the flow before heading into the forest. It was a very large breakout from the inflated lava flow on the other side of the kipuka. It was easily 50′ wide and it gushed into the trees with the force of a huge damn bursting. There was no reason to stay as now there was smoke all over so nothing worth staying around for. I always have my respirator for smoke from the distant fires. Remember the size of that breakout. View images 6-11-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 6 11 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 ____ 6 11 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse Nice footage of lava in the trees at night and into the day. Great sounds of the forest insects too. This is the first video to show why it’s called the Fern Forest. In reality the trees are sparse. The ferns dominated this large forest. They also are the first to dry out and burn. Also on this video you start seeing burning tree molds. I did load a longer version that is available for viewing too. Loaded the more edited version to condense it all a bit more. 6-11-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 The GoPro was used mainly for time-lapse. Ay one point the camera was attached to a tree for a better viewing angle. The winds cause all the movement. 6-11-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse
“End of an era” Part VI 6-13-13 Kipuka Burning
Here it is only 2 days later and I’m back already. It was getting harder to estimate times the flow would arrive in certain areas so, it was best for me to hike back as often as my body could take it. Interestingly that large breakout from the past hike never did much where I had been as most of it went to the east. This left a small part of the old peninsula in tact. I brought along a prop on this hike. A tent. Now, I don’t camp or sleep no matter how long I’m out. I have a comfy bed at home for that. I go to the flows for the activity. The area was rugged with many small holes and old tree molds for the slow-moving flow to fill. The tent did allowed me to sit during heavy bouts of rain and still take photos. What I really wanted was images shot of the flows from inside of the tent at sunrise. I got some nice ones. Once play time with the tent was done I wondered from one small flow front to another. One even ventured into a shallow tube that had an exit end. This allowed me to get a couple of shots of the lava flowing inside the tube. The lighting wasn’t the best and these tubes are very damp so, the camera would fog up right away. There were several other tubes for the lava to enter but, they wouldn’t be reached on this day. The flow was in yet another inflation stage so, after my usual 8-9 hours out there I started my hike back. View images 6-13-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. I shot a ton of footage on this hike with both cameras. The Nikon D800 footage needed to be split up into four videos. Its starts out with lots of night footage that features the first of what will be tons of degassing. As the lava covers areas of vegetation gases from it burn through the thin layer of flowing lava with small jetting sounds. This was the theme for this hike along with many small nearby methane explosions and several very large distant ones. Every time you here a thud its one of the two. The tent didn’t survive being dragged all over the old sharp lava so, it was sacrificed. Ever wonder what happens to an empty aluminum cam as its covered by lava? That’s in here too. Also some video of lava flowing inside of and old tube. You can here the moist ground getting covered. Also bouts of light rain hitting the hot flows. Most of the steam is from the moisture being evaporated with in the old tubes. Youtube 6 13 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 Youtube 6 13 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Youtube 6 13 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse 6-13-13 – 1 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 6-13-13 – 2 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 Watch for the bug meeting its demise. 6-13-13 – 3 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 The Ravioli can and degassing as the can breaks down. I guess this video needs more explanation as it’s getting hijacked and embedded all over the net. The can wasn’t sealed for a few reasons. One of course it would explode and I’m close enough to get shrapnel. Second, I’m over 9 hours into my outing and still more than 8 miles from my car so, I need the food. One ravioli were left in the can for the lava flow. The flow was like a curious small animal that kept following me as I ate my breakfast so, I gave it a bit to satisfy its hunger. The flow not only covered the can, it also melted it down. The flames are from de-gassing as the aluminum breaks down. Notice the flow inflate as this happens and then deflate some as the gas burns. It’s very likely that much of the can was now part of the small breakout at the end of the video. It was shot with a 180mm lens from maybe 10-15 feet. At the time the flow was mellow so, no worries. This isn’t my first time seeing lava consume objects. I’ve observed flows since 1991. I’ve watched cars and houses go to. Even a couple of propane tanks explode. The area where this can was filmed, there was 30 years of trash stashed in nearly every crevice that was also cleaned up by the flow. Not sure why Chef Boyardee gets such a bad rap. It clearly says “No Preservatives” 🙂 The can makes it easy to heat up on hot flows and it doubles as a place for packing out messy trash. The video can also be viewed on Youtube if that’s your preference. Propane tank exploding under small cabin being destroyed by lava. Propane tank exploding on hot lava flow. No, I didn’t put it there. I was hiding behind a wall on the cabin deck in the previous image link. My finger hit the shutter release reacting to the explosion. 6-13-13 – 4 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 Lava in an old tube. 6-13-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 The tent and it demise. Also a nice methane explosion right in front of the camera. An alternate view of the previous videos ending. 6-13-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse See how a small lava flow consumes a small tree. The flow inflates around it.
“End of an era” Part VII 6-17-13 Forest Burning
Its only 4 days since my last hike and I’m beginning to wonder how many more times I can do this without a serious rest. Besides the rugged hikes it’s the no sleep situation too. My shoes are near their end after over 1 full year of use but, they fit so well its hard to get rid of them. Lets see, it rained. And then it rained even more. As if that weren’t enough it rained even more and harder. Very few photos were taken and my video didn’t record sound. It was tough but, fun as always. Part of the kipuka still survived and now the flow was further east away from the trail. The flow front was deep into the forest and the front couldn’t be accessed due to how active the flow was. I could only hang at its western edge. The amount of inflation from my last hike was astonishing. Not just in height but, in vastness too. As far as the eye could see it was a massively inflating lava flow with the forest in its path. In between this flow and the trail were large steaming areas where most likely the lava was deep underground burning roots and other vegetation. The methane explosions were just as powerful as the previous hikes but, they were well ahead of the flow front and deep into the forest. Remember I mentioned it rained a bit? Check out what my feet looked like after this hike. Each one felt like they had 1000’s of blisters on them. As with the previous hikes I took several photos of the area near the trails start into the forest if it was gone before I could return. The flow was both advancing and inflating rapidly on this visit. View images 6-17-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 6 17 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 D800 didn’t record sound but, not a big deal as it was extremely windy with lots of rain. Lots of narration of what’s going on and where. Walking video. Shot in the small area between what use to be a peninsula and the main forest. Nice area for walking but, it was always a dead-end. Only five minutes to walk it. 6-17-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 OnlyGoPro video. Lots of wind. Nothing I could do about the audio. One of the few times it wasn’t pouring. This is when you start taking note of what areas look like as they will be very different in videos from future hikes.
“End of an era” Part VIII 6-25-13 Forest Burning and the Super Moon
The forest was a muddy mess but, I had great weather this entire hike. By now the flow was much more widespread and a lobe had stalled only a 2 minute walk from the trail. There were flows further out and to the west and the larger flow to the east. That was only a 10 minute walk so, it was close and heading to the west. Got that? That large area of inflating lava from the last hike had busted loose maybe they day before as there was a massively large flow wiping out the forest. The flow was a very shallow and hot one that was an estimated 200 yards long and 50 yards deep. Yes, it was something to see. I made my way over large areas of hot and inflated lava strewn with fallen trees that were smoldering beside they’re burning tree molds. The pack had to stay on at all times out there. It was just too hot to set anything down. Every now and then I would have to stand on a fallen tree to keep my feet from blistering. No you’re shoes don’t burst into flames. They do melt but, you’re feet and other body parts start getting too hot long before stuff catches on fire. The near super moon and the intense glow from the large forest fires lit up everything like it was daytime. I also had great views of Puu Oo vent in the background. But, I could only stay in the area for a short time due to the intense heat and the threat of a new large flow cutting me off from the trail head. I had an emergency escape route if needed but, I really didn’t want to hike out via a 15 mile route. Once done in that area I made my way over to that western flow on the other side of the trail. This flow was in a very interesting area I knew well from years of stashing supplies nearby. Numerous shallow caverns filled the area. As luck would have it the flow was right at such stash that had a friends old tripod in it. I even called him to say I found it. Once again the near super moon lit up the entire scene beautifully. I stayed through sunrise. It was a very muted sunrise. Lots of thick clouds by then. Once it was light I made my way back to that eastern flow for some daylight shots. I was able to get near the flows leading edge that was heading west to the trail. This was that 200 x 50 yard flow and it had plenty to push it westward. I figured this was the one to finally take out the trail head. Instead of coming from straight out it was going to be a flow spreading along and into the forest. While at this western moving flow front I was able to capture some great video of the huge ferns drying out and bursting into flames as fast-moving breakouts surged forward. Also, small vortex’s of white ash. My gopro had yet another close encounter that had flames nipping at its lens before I could finally retrieve it. I also had a live walking stick bug crawl on me looking for safety. I did take it back to a safer area but, unless it got out of there somehow after I left, it met the same fate as 1000’s of other insects. The respirator was on most of this hike. The smoke was pretty thick at times. There were the usual methane explosions throughout the night and morning. I knew this was the last time I would see what bit of familiarity there was to an area that had become my second home over the past 2+ decades. Before leaving I sat and enjoyed it one last time. It was a beautiful morning. The birds were all signing and doing their thing and that one lone coqui frog had chirped away until daylight at the forest edge. He had been there since about march. Earlier a nice rainbow brightened the western sky. It was the last time I’d ever see the area as it was since the early 1980’s. View images 6-25-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 6 25 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 Youtube 6 25 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse Youtube 6 25 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 There were times it was very windy and yet others when it was so quiet. Lots of video with lava and trees. Everything described above. 6-25-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 Long video with lots going on. Walking Stick insect. 6-25-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 GoPro version includes a clip where flames engulfed the camera. Some narration. 6-25-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow GoPro Hero 2 Time Lapse Short time-lapse. Sunrise, me, rainbow trying to form and forest burning.
“A New Era Begins” 7-06-13
Before I went on this hike there were several times I was all but ready to go only to cancel at the last-minute figuring the timing was wrong. Seeing I have 5+ hours of driving round trip I want to be sure before venturing out. Fun south swells would keep me entertained. Surfing is great and there’s never enough of it. Yep, the usual rainy muddy mess until I arrived at the lava flows. I knew the lava had to of reached the trail by now and if it did come from the east as expected it might have cut off access to the flow field. As I neared what use to be the last 50 yards of the forest trail everything was very dark. I wondered if the flow had stalled as it had done many times. I could hear loud methane explosions in the distance to the east so, that lobe of the flow was still going strong. As I turned a bend in the trail there was the lava flow. A slowly moving lobe of pahoehoe. It wasn’t going anywhere fast as the forest floor was a muddy mess and I could see the main activity in that area was further to the west and moving back towards me and east. In other words the flow was moving back and forth as it ran into obstacles and it inflated. Once again the inflation was insanely large and fast too. Later after sunrise I would see lava inflated 20′, halfway up smoldering trees. After evaluating the situation I determined I was maybe 50 yards or so from what use to be the forest edge. (I say 20 in the video but, it was closer to 50) To my left on the other side of some thick ferns was a stalled but, very hot pahoehoe flow. It had fallen trees strewn all over it. Newly formed and still lit with flames were their tree molds. No problem staying warm on this cool night. I decided it was safe to venture out onto this stalled and inflating flow to see what was left of the old forest edge. Now, like I said before, the hiking shoes I had on were old and already shot so, ruining them wasn’t an issue but, knowing they would melt even more meant it was going to be an uncomfortable hike from there on out. As I made my way out onto the flow I could now see that the flow had left the forest front still standing. It was now a kipuka of trees. I made my way around to the front and the signs were still there along with a few of the small Ohia trees nearby. The kipuka its self had been completely burned through. Only the trees were still standing. Interestingly the trail was still muddy and green along with the small clearing that was once a tent staging area. The fire from the flow also burned up the many years of supplies that had been stashed all along the forests edge. Only remnants of items could be found. The flow making its way back to the east was now on the trail and slowly flowing out to the signs. This flow had lots of inflation behind it so, the kipuka didn’t stand a chance. For now on this visit it stood defiant to the inevitable. Through out the night I would venture back and forth from the forest and further to the west. At one point a real nice large forest fire broke out from the west flow. It lit up the trees by the trail and the milky way could now be seen high above the trees. These two images were captured. One at its brightest and the other as it faded. Daylight revealed a stunning scene of so much change from what I’ve always know the area to be like. Yes, the trail head was still there but, it stood all alone with a trail to nowhere barely sheltered by smoldering trees. I made my way further west to the western edge of this fast inflating lava flow to see what might be next to happen. A very large forest fire had burned with in the past 24 hours from the flows edge maybe 100 yards or so to the west and into the forest. You can’t hike into these burned out forest without a practical trail as they are littered with deep ash over many small caravans that will surely break legs. There was a real nice breakout of lava I got to get some images of. Also the remnants of a previous large methane explosion. The flow front I originally arrived to on the trail was now stalled and slowly inflating. It would more than likely be over run by other flows before it would go anywhere. Dried out vegetation was no longer burning from contact with it. I took a few more images and shot some video before heading back. The one last dead tree finally fell just before I left. Also, one real nice nearby methane explosion that shook the entire area. It was another great hike and having the forest front still there one last time was an added bonus for me. The amount of inflation told me this was the last time I’d ever see this area as it was. View images 7-06-13 Puu Oo Flow Video information. Youtube 7 06 13 Lava Flow Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow Nikon D800 GoPro Hero 2 7-06-13 Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Puu Oo Vent Lava Flow Nikon D800 Everything described above.
“The New Era ” 7-15-13
Another shocker. Heavy persistent rain. This time I have a new pair of the same hiking shoes. MerrellGeomorph Stretch blaze. These hiking shoes are great. Best is they are mesh so, water drains out. This time nearing the flow I meet the lava further into the forest. Right about where I had expected it to be. Therewere stalled dead lobes that could easily be crossed. Once again I arrived at the same stalled lobe from the previous hike. This was now the edge of the forest and just to the west the flow had gone deep into the trees to where I first hit the other stalled lobe. Read it a few times and you will get it. Even though it was dark and raining, I could easily see that thekipuka from my earlier hike was now gone. Its fallen trees lay dead where they once stood for decades. The flow inflated below them and lifted them all maybe 15-20′. Just beyond them were the signs burnt and mangled surrounded by inflatingpahoehoe. The poles themselves get pulled up with the inflating lava flow. The area was now buried under 20′ of new lava. Everything was much too hot to sit during the heavy rains so, I made my way to the west to find some cool older flows. I found a nice little area with some old fallen trees that was surrounded by a hot inflating lava flow. A perfect spot to sit out the next 3 hours of heavy rain. Hot thick steam would rise from the old flow keeping me plenty warm but, also soaked. Natures version of a stunning outdoor sauna with a nice view ofPuu Oo vent. I did manage to get off some photos at twilight and a short video with thegopro. Once again daylight allowed me to see just how much the area had changed yet again in such a short time. The weather cleared enough for me to get some great images and video. My poorGopro camera shut its self down multiple times due to excessive heat. It always came back for more. By now the housing is turning into a melted blob of plastic. Knowing I might not be back for several weeks, I stayed as long as my feet could stand it. My reason for knowing I might not be back were that the flows forward progress into the forest was reaching its end. It could and would progress further but, there were definite areas of higher elevation that would cause the flow to stall and inflate or even backtrack. The other scenario was it would stall the small tube feeding that flow and the majority of the lava flow would now be diverted to the tube feeding the larger northeastern flow.
11-04-13 “Seven Months”
“My usual Warning”
Like I said earlier, I have a very long history with this area. I knew there was a small window of opportunity for tracking these changes. Timing was everything. I did another short hike to lava since that last hike. That short walk to the ocean entry. That was the Discovery Channel Canada Daily Planet show. Feel free to share a link to this blog with friends via email or your favorite social network. One other note. I am no longer posting tofacebook. My fan page will stay in place to direct people to this blog but, no more posting. So, if you want to comment, please do so on the blog or on my website for each image. This was a tremendous amount of post production work that when I could find the time to work on it, it took months to do. Anyone who has ever shot and produced video can attest to how time-consuming it is. I had to leave out lots of great footage to keep the videos short enough that people would still watch them. An hour or two long documentary could easily have been made. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my adventures. The image below shows what my feet looked like several times after 15 or more miles and hours on them and soaked to the bone. Excuse the formatting of the text. Had lots of issues when writing this up.
Melted Merrell Hiking Shoes. Hiking hot lava flows of Hawaii
- Water soaked feet. Hawaii lava flow Pro photographer Bryan Lowry
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I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this Post of incredible and informative adventures and awe-inspiring photos and videos! Thank you for all of the work you go through to share this so that those of us who love adventure can be part of it!
Thanks Anna. It was an enjoyable 7 months. On to the next adventure.
An amazing journey, so interesting. Appreciate the videos to see some of what you witness. Scary night hikes, but beautiful glowing vistas and starry skies.
Great work Bryan!
I viewed all the video and photos – excellent work. Many of the still images are gallery-worthy; particularly those with the Milky Way night sky in the background. And the video should be eagerly sought by those looking for excellent stock footage of lava. I particularly liked the close-up/wide angle video of the various flows – especially the shots inside the lava tubes. I also really liked the perspective and scale when you were in the frame or placed objects in the lava (loved the Ravioli can!). In your hands, the D800 (and the GoPro) provided fantastic POV video with color, texture and lighting of the highest quality. And you did a great job in editing, sequencing, fades, etc. for all the video…
The blog narrative provided me with a much greater appreciation of your experience and knowledge of the area and your personal perspective of the changes you’ve witnessed. The before & after shots of the melted GoPro and your shoes vividly demonstrates the extreme dedication you have in documenting the dangerous yet beautiful environment of Pu’u O’o. Kudos and Mahalo for all your effort and time spent in sharing your passion. Well done!
Hey Mark,
Thanks on all of that. I appreciate the effort to read and watch it all 🙂 I need to go back and correct the many grammar errors.
Quite an undertaking you reading and watching it all.
I kept wearing the melted shoes until they nearly fell apart because I knew certain hikes were going to melt whatever I was wearing and I get tired of having to buy new ones constantly.
Might start carrying an extra pair again.
Hi, Bryan –
I just spent five hours reading your blog, looking at your photos and videos. I loved every minute of it! I am going to the Hawaiian Islands for the first time in October and want to see as much of the volcano as I can, but I know that I’ve seen much more of it through your eyes than I will in person, and I thank you! (I’m a volcano fan, too!)
Hi Carrie,
You are a fan 🙂 My posts tend to be long as I let way too much time go by between them and then I have lots to say and show.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed what you saw and read. You never know but, by the time you get here there might be lots to see if the lava keeps moving like it is right now.
Enjoy the visit. Here’s a tip when visiting the Big Island, don’t try to do too much. Better to make the most of the places you visit and save the rest for other visits.