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Only somewhat related-- you can drive up to the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea. You need an offroad vehicle, and you have to stop at least once to adjust to the
by oceanghost 8y ago
Only somewhat related-- you can drive up to the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea. You need an offroad vehicle, and you have to stop at least once to adjust to the pressure.
I did it once. Driving to an elevation of two miles is terrifying-- and it is cold (I didn't pack a heavy jacket to go to Hawaii), but the view was unbelievable, and it was great to visit the site of so many PBS specials.
The telescope is operated from the University at the base of the mountain so when you arrive there are a reception area and a sort of a cage in the telescope apparatus you can view the telescope from.
I could dig up pictures if anyone is interested but there are more professional ones online I'm sure.
- bumblebritches5 8y agoWhat's the altitude in feet? because that sounds a LOT like my trip to Wyoming, I was at either 8400 or 8600 feet, I don't recall which. It was near the continental divide if that helps.
- lutorm 8y agoThe summit is at 14,000ft MSL. It's pretty brutal to go up because unlike when you go to 14,000 ft in e.g. Colorado, here you almost always start from sea level. I always get lightheaded and get a headache every time I go up.
- robohoe 8y agoI've been there last year. The oxygen Level at that height is about 30-40% less so you breathe heavier and you move slowly. It's also utterly cold. Everyone is wearing heavy jackets, gloves, and hats. It was funny seeing some people drive up in their rental mustangs. I can only imagine their brakes cooking by the base of the mountain after that downhill drive.
- bumblebritches5 8y agoThe oxygen content is mostly the same (i think it's 20% instead of 21%, it's something like that) What makes it hard to breathe is the reduced pressure.