Fearless Footsteps Has Arrived!
The new Fearless Footsteps book arrived on my doorstep this weekend, and I am over the moon excited about it! Listen to me talk a bit about the book and read an excerpt from my travel story that is included.
What Does Lava Smell Like?
In May 2017, we hiked over Kilauea’s eastern slopes to intercept the 61G lava flow. The flow, which issued from the Pu’u O’o vent, had been showing stunning displays of activity for several months. Out of my many visits to Kilauea, this would be the first time that we would get to experience an active lava flow, and all the sights, sounds, and smells that came with it. I knew what molten lava looked and sounded like from the thousands of videos I had watched over the years. But I was curious— what does molten lava smell like?
We met a group of friends at the bottom of Chain of Craters Road before the sun had risen. The ocean crashed against the lava cliffs to our east and a swath of stars stretched out in a band overhead. Making sure we each had plenty of water, food, and sunscreen in our packs, we set out in the dark. Only our headlamps and the red rivers of lava cascading down the pali, six miles away, lit our path.
What Is The Most Scared You’ve Ever Been?
Since it’s Nothing to Fear Day, I’ll answer one of my most frequently asked questions: “What is the most scared you’ve ever been while out volcano hopping?” 😱
While there’s always a risk with volcanoes, I’m constantly keeping my eyes and ears open. And I never turn my back on the lava. To this point, I’ve never been really afraid on a volcano. Do I have a healthy respect for them? Absolutely! And nothing gets your heart pounding more than looking down and seeing a river of lava running a couple feet beneath your boots when you didn’t exactly expect it to be there.
Thursday Thoughts – Update From Base Camp
For today’s Thursday Thoughts, here is the latest update from Base Camp. We’re wondering how you are doing and holding up during this unique time, and are discussing what we are up to under quarantine. The answer? A new novel is in the works! Here’s some insight into what the…
Thursday Thoughts – International Day of Volcanoes
For today’s Thursday Thoughts, I’ll give an update from Base Camp. We will also discuss last week’s International Day of Volcanoes and the volcanoes that chose to erupt on that day to celebrate! If you’d like to read the article mentioned in the video, read it here. Happy Hopping! Copyright…
Update from Base Camp
Saying hello, wondering how you all are, and updating you on the latest happenings at Base Camp during social distancing. Copyright © 2020 Volcano Hopper. All rights reserved. **Disclaimer: Please use extreme caution when hiking on any volcano, particularly near active lava, or eruption sites. Volcanoes are extremely unpredictable and…
10 Volcanic Activities and Boredom Busters
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has hit the world hard over the last several months. Social distancing, quarantines, and lack of food and supplies has suddenly become a real thing for all of us. And it’s something that we are all in together.
Many of us, including myself, have been working from home for well over a week now. (Shout out to all the medical teams, law enforcement, grocers, and delivery drivers who are on the front lines trying to keep us safe, healthy, and supplied!) Kids are home from school and all activities are cancelled. It’s been creating a lot of time together in close quarters and the cabin fever is just starting.
With spring here and warm weather just around the corner, I am definitely itching to get outside and explore a volcano. With travel restrictions and many closures in place, most volcanoes in the world are currently out of reach. So how do people like you and me get our volcano fix while we’re all hanging out at home?
Here is a list of 10 volcanic boredom busters that you (and your kids!) can do to get your volcano fix and stave off the cabin fever:
Should Active Volcanoes Be Banned?
Every few years, there is a volcanic eruption that takes the lives of innocent bystanders. The loss of human life is heartbreaking. While most volcanoes show us warning signs before they erupt, it is impossible to predict the exact date and time that an eruption will occur. The results can be tragic. The loss of life has caused for some people to call for a ban on public access to all active volcanoes worldwide.
After the Whakaari (White Island) eruption claimed 21 lives in December 2019, the cry to ban active volcanoes from the public became louder than ever. Advocates for the ban claim that if no one can approach an active volcano, then the death toll will be zero. Is it possible to ban the public from all active volcanoes? Should active volcanoes be banned at all?
Top 10 Volcanic Eruptions of 2019
2019 was a dynamic year in many aspects, and the volcanic world did not disappoint. According to the Global Volcanism Program, “There were 73 confirmed eruptions at some point during 2019 from 70 different volcanoes; 30 of those were new eruptions that started during the year.”[1] The earth is always alive with volcanic activity, and an average of 10-20 volcanoes are active and erupting at any given time on our planet. But who were the show stoppers for 2019?
Here are the top 10 volcanic eruptions that left their mark on 2019:
Merry Christmas from Base Camp
It’s Christmas time at Base Camp! The tree is glittering with a hundred sparkling lights, and ornaments that we’ve collected over the years dangle from the branches. It’s been re-decorated, of course, by two kitties who love to tug on the gold garland and bat the ornaments around like toys. …