CRW_7172
This is Kaupaoa (Raillardia menziesii), a native plant that grows mostly above 9000 feet. It is related to the silversword, even though it looks totally different. Here it is seen after blooming, for the first time on this web site.

CRW_7173
Tree wanted to be carried down the hill in addition to up the hill. He got pouty when we refused to carry him downhill, so he stormed off way in front of us. You can see him here in the center of the picture. He's several hundred meters ahead of us on the trail.

CRW_7179
Jimmer has been a friend of mine since 1988, and was my roommate during my senior year in college.

CRW_7180

CRW_7181
Jimmer asked Tree, "What kind of face is that?" Tree replied, "A cold face!" The temperature here is about 32 degrees Farenheit cooler than the temperature at sea level. It was probably about 50 degrees here.

CRW_7188

CRW_7190

CRW_7191
Carina and Jimmer

CRW_7192
Tree stands by a dead silversword bloom.

CRW_7194

CRW_7198
Tree and Jimmer pose in front of our destination, Ka Lu‘u o ka ‘Ō‘ō

CRW_7202

CRW_7205
From the rim of Ka Lu‘u o ka ‘Ō‘ō, one cinder cone in a line of them that runs through the crater.

CRW_7206
Telephoto view of the left edge of Pu‘u o Maui (foreground), the largest cinder cone on Maui.

CRW_7207
Carina traverses the rim of the cinder cone Ka Lu‘u o ka ‘Ō‘ō.

CRW_7210
Interesting junction between two sizes of rock on the crater wall

CRW_7212
Carina makes her way around

CRW_7214
Tree tries to mess up my picture. The tongue out is his way of saying, "I'm not going to smile for you."

CRW_7218
Tree stands at the rim of the cinder cone.

CRW_7220
Another shot of Tree risking everything.

CRW_7222

CRW_7227
Colorful rocks

CRW_7228
Colorful rocks

CRW_7230

CRW_7237
Patchy clouds make interesting patterns of sunlight on Pu‘u o Maui.

CRW_7240
Tree empties his boots of rocks for the 1000th time.

CRW_7242
Sharp rocks rise up out of the sand.