Lava viewing for senior citizen

My mom %26amp; I will be in Volcano area Jan 20-21 and I know she wants to see lava if it is flowing. She is 78 and pretty active for her age - she can ';do'; Disneyland all day, but sometimes a little unsteady on her feet. She has high blood pressure and a pacemaker, but no lung problems. I%26#39;ve read the info about the viewing area, and I am wondering if the walk out there is doable for her. I appreciate your experienced opinions.

Lava viewing for senior citizen

There are people her age doing Ironman, so it%26#39;s possible she could do it, but I wouldn%26#39;t risk it. It%26#39;s a long walk both ways on uneven terrain. Take her on a helo tour.

Lava viewing for senior citizen

I saw elders walking with sticks ...

but there are holes and cracks all the way and a misstep would be an ankle injury or a bad fall. It requires a sure foot. The walk back in the dark is much harder than the walk in, not surprisingly. One is in daylight and on the way back you only see each step in front of you by your flashlight.

Also there can be a throng of people, was when I went, making it hard to go at a slower pace.

You know, people get so into the lava, but is it really worth the potential harm? You can%26#39;t even see the lava flow, only the bounceback spit up into the cloud when it hits the ocean.

hmmm it%26#39;s not the length of the walk it is the uneven bumpy lumpiness of it all ;o) IF you choose to do it make sure to bring walking sticks, they are great and we use them often.

Hmmm...I have to agree with TT that the risk may not be worth it. Only you and your mom know what she is capable of, although the blood pressure and pacemaker gives anyone pause. There are both helicopter and airplane viewings available that, while more expensive, might fit your situation a bit better. I dunno, I took my mother who was a similar age and on her third hip replacement and she insisted on doing the whole thing on her to see it for herself.

One problem with this trek is that unlike most walks where you can judge as you go whether it%26#39;s OK or not, on the way out it is much easier, and you don%26#39;t know how tough it will be to do it in the dark.

If she does it at all, and has even slight difficulty, I would have her return to the vehicle while it%26#39;s still light. One can actually see some of the fireworks from right at the parking lot, and if lava is flowing on the surface up the hill, that too may be seen from the parking.

Also you have to get there early or chance a two mile walk if the parking is full. Not sure how busy it is these days. I went when it was fairly new and there was a big crowd.

The crowds lately haven%26#39;t been nearly as bad as before. The main parking area last night was only half full.

Everybody has given you great advice already. The big thing is for a person to know their limits. The current walk out to the viewing area is considered very easy if compared to past hikes, but that does not mean that it is easy for everybody.

If you (or your mother) have hip, ankle, knee, or back issues then the lava terrain seems to bring them out, especially if they are recent.

Bring a hiking stick, or two (one for each hand). Walk with her. Help her. It can likely be done, but is it worth it?

If it turns out to be difficult, then KK%26#39;s advice about viewing from the parking area may be your best bet. Just recently there was a nice stream of lava flowing down the hill creating a view that was arguably better than the ocean entry itself. This is however very rare and the glow on the hillside has recently diminished.

A lot of times it is about being there at the right time and having luck on your side.

The most likely scenario would be seeing the red glow coming from the ocean entry with little to no red debre projectiles visible, and possibly small specs of red visible somewhere on the flats. If you dont do the hike all the way then binoculars in this situation are a necessity.

From your description it sounds like it will be no problem to go all the way. I would say go for it. Check the weather first and make sure the lava is actually flowing. Conditions can change within minutes.