Highpointers 2000

Club Convention on Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Tuesday, July 25 to Sunday, July 30, 2000

• Beckie Covill’s Guide to the Convention
• Gerry Roach To Be Guest Speaker
• Price List and Sign Up Form 

Visit Convention Headquarters at the Royal Kona Hotel.

There are camping arrangements also.

Click on Hawaii Camping Info and David Hanson’s Guide to other campsites for more details.

By Denis Hanson [denish@mediaone.net]

Hawaii the Big Island Revealed, the Ultimate Guidebook by Andrew Doughty, Harriett Friedman

In previous visits to the Kona area, I have seen people camping in the dunes at Makalawena beach, a 20 minute walk N from Kona Coast State Park. Kona Coast state park is 15 miles N of Kona, but is much closer than Hapuna Beach SP.

To reach the camping area, drive N from Kona on the Ka’ahumanu highway. Between mile markers 90 and 91 you’ll see the left turn into Kona Coast State Park.  Drive the rough, sorta-paved road 1.5 miles to the first parking area.  Walk N on the chained-off rough lava road, past some collapsing buildings at a beach, and on across the lava to the next area of coastal greenery.

This second area is Makalawena Beach.  I have seen people tenting in the area of dunes you first come to.  Bring water and everything else you’ll need.  The park closes at 8PM so you and  your car will be locked in for the night.  I’d recommend against leaving anything up during the day unless you’re there with it. Closed on Wednesdays.  Nude bathing occurs at this beach so be prepared to see bronzed German bottoms.

I’d strongly recommend that anyone going to the convention get the book “Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed”, 2nd ed., 1999, by Arthur Doughty & Harriett Friedman, Wizard Publications.  Get this book and you can leave all the others at home.  Their website is also one of the best sources of info on Hawaii – www.wizardpub.com.  Another website to check is www.konaweb.com.

Hawaii Camping Options

The A-frames at Hapuna State Park

Tents at Spencer Beach County Park

The Big Island has the best camping in the state. Nearly three dozen parks fringe the coastline or sit deep in the interior; almost half offer camping. The parks with campgrounds are state, county, and nationally operated, ranging from remote walk-in sites to housekeeping cabins.

All require camping permits- inexpensive for the county and state parks, free for the national park. Camping permits can be obtained by calling or writing. There is usually no problem obtaining sites, when writing request reservations well in advance, allowing a minimum of one month for letters to go back and forth.

The best places we could find to camp are at the A-frame cabins at Hapuna State Park, and the tent campground at Spencer Beach County Park. Contacts are listed below. The A-frames are, well, a bit au naturel, but not bad, and right by the best beach on the island, about 22 miles north of Kona. Spencer Beach is a few miles further north than that, by a small public beach.

There is a campground high on the shoulder of Mauna Kea, but it is over an hour from Kona, and the nearest camping to the south is over an hour away. In other words, your choices are limited.

Most campgrounds have pavilions, fireplaces, toilets (sometimes pit), and running water, but usually no individual electrical hookups. Pavilions often have electric lights. Drinking water is available, but at times brackish water is used for flushing and showers, so read all signs regarding water. Cooking fires are allowed in established firepits, but no wood is provided. Charcoal is a good idea. If camping in the mountains be prepared for cold and rainy weather. You can find plenty of stores that sell, and a few stores that rent camping equipment. Make sure you call ahead to see what supplies they carry.

• Hilo Surplus Store, (808)935-6398, 148 Mamo Ave.
• Pacific Rent All, 1080 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, (808) 935-2974
• Kona Rent All, (808) 329-1644
• County Parks: Dept. of Parks & Recreation, County of Hawaii, 25 Aupuni St, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 961-8311
• State Parks: Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, Div. of State Parks, PO Box 936, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 974-6200
• Volcanoes Park: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, (808)967-7321

Gerry Roach to Be Convention Speaker

By David Covill [Dave_Covill@eogresources.com]

Beckie & I are pleased to announce that Gerry Roach will be our convention speaker this July in Hawaii. Gerry will present a slide show entitled “Highpoints of the World” or “Beyond the Seven Summits” or something like that. Gerry has, literally, been everywhere, done everything.

He was the 2nd person to do the Seven Summits. His name is mentioned prominently in Dick Bass’ book “The Seven Summits”. He has climbed extensively in South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. He has been on top of Everest, and several other Himalayan peaks. 

Of course, here in North America, he is famed for his books on climbing in the Rockies. He has written a guidebook to hiking in several specific areas in Colorado, exploring arches in Utah, and most prominently, a guide to Colorado’s 14’ers.

Gerry and his wife Jennifer live in Boulder CO. She is an accomplished climber in her own right, having summited the highest 100+ peaks in Colorado. They are working on a book together to guide folks to peaks beyond the 14’ers in Colorado.

Gerry and Jennifer are interested in joining Club Members on an optional hike up Mauna Loa, and of course will participate in the Club hike up Mauna Kea. They have recently joined the Club, and while Gerry has over 20 state highpoints, Jennifer has a bit less.

This is the first time the Club has had a person with this diverse a background for the banquet presentation, and we’re
sure you’ll be well entertained.

Books by Gerry Roach

Colorado’s Indian Peaks Wilderness Area : Classic Hikes & Climbs Colorado’s Fourteeners : From Hikes to Climbs Colorado’s Fourteeners : Companion Map Package Rocky Mountain National Park : Classic Hikes and Climbs  Flatiron Classics; A Guide to Easy Climbs and Trails in Boulder’s Flatirons

Links

• Gerry Roach Only Person to Climb North America’s Top Ten
• Record Climbs of Colorado 14ers
• 7 Summits Climbers

Sign Up Form for Convention and Price ListDeadline for Registration for Accommodation is March 20 Return this information to: Beckie Covill, PO Box 1496, Golden, CO 80402 303-674-7963 before 9:00 PM MST dcovill@diac.com

Hawaii Highpointer Convention Signup – July 25th–30th, 2000

Name_____________________________________ Date___________
Name_____________________________________________
Name_____________________________________________ Adult Child Age_____
Name_____________________________________________ Adult Child Age_____
Name____________________use separate sheet for additional Adult Child Age_____
Address_________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________State________Zip__________
Ph Work__________________ Ph Home__________________ Fax_________________
E-mail_______________________________
If travelling solo, are you willing to share a room with another member? YES / NO

Short walk from summit parking lot___
Long hike from observatory lot at 9,500’ __
or Very strenuous 2 day+ hike from sea level to summit ___

Airfare Needed? YES/ NO
Departure City:______________________

• Basic Convention Package (YES/NO)
• Oahu 3 day Pre-Convention (YES/NO) City View Partial Ocean View
• Oahu 3 day Post-Convention (YES/NO) City View Partial Ocean View
• Maui 3 day Pre-Convention (YES/NO) ROH Ocean View 1 Bedrm Superior Condo
• Maui 3 day Post-Convention (YES/NO) ROH Ocean View 1 Bedrm Superior Condo

BASIC CONVENTION PACKAGE INCLUDES: Inter-island airfare as necessary, hotel accommodations for 6 days and 5 nights, from Tuesday July 25 to Sunday July 30, hotel porterage & taxes, flower lei greeting, intermediate car on Hawaii (1 per room), full American breakfast daily at your leisure, hosted cocktail party on Tuesday July 25 upon arrival incl. appetizers and open bar, exclusive breakfast orientation Wednesday morning July 26 hosted by trip coordinator, transportation up Mauna Kea Friday, Hawaiian Luau on Friday July 28 after the Mauna Kea hike, Gala Grand Finale Dinner on Saturday July 29 including wine with dinner followed by Club Convention, full trip protection insurance. PRICES FOR OAHU AND MAUI INCLUDE: Hotel or condo accommodations, taxes, intermediate car on Maui or transfers on Oahu, inter-island airfare and trip protection. ROH stands for run of the house, and means best available full or partial ocean view. Extended stays on any of the islands, or extensions to Kauai or Molokai, are available, and prices will be quoted by the travel agent. Further customization is possible as well. Children are 16 & under.

AIRFARE from your hometown or nearest gateway city is additional at low group air add-ons. Prices quoted with your registration. Prices should range from $300 – $725 per person depending on gateway city.

DEPOSITS

• $400 Per Adult within 7 days of registration ($250.00 is fully refundable until March 20, 2000)
• $250 Per Child within 7 days of registration ($150.00 is fully refundable until March 20, 2000)

Final Payment is due no later than March 20, 2000. Any registration not fully paid by that date is subject to cancellation without notice.

FORM OF PAYMENT

Check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover Cards. All credit card billings appear as Marketability.

SEND REGISTRATION TO

GLOBE TRAVEL – ATTENTION: COOKIE RANDALL
1117 WASHINGTON AVE. GOLDEN CO 80401
PHONE 303 – 279 – 6671 – TOLL-FREE 800 – 783 – 7484 – FAX 303 – 279 – 6513
E-MAIL – erandall.globetravel@us.amadeusmail.com