Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room What In The World Happened Here?

For this one, I think those white items are something one might add to a glass of tea if they were smaller. Not sure which lake this is, but I think Santa Claus might vacation on this island.

Tea is grown in the vicinity, not all that close, though. And they do grow sugar. What makes you think it is an island?

The geology fits Iceland - looks like somewhat recent (in geologic time) basalt flow on the north side. A lot of Iceland satellite imagery matches this terrain. Guess I was off.

At least we have clues now, tea and sugar.

I meant to mention that it does snow in this place. Make Santy happy?

tea means tropical or at least semi I would guess

snow must mean high peak to get to the colder area

say...Indonesia and Carstensz Pyramid 16,023 ft -tallest in Oceania and therefore one of the Seven Summits.

But Santa? nah , no connection.

Remember, something significant happened here. Just like LII (52), organized religion was involved. More hints when LII is posted. Maybe.

Got it! Not fair though, I was just snorkeling in this spot a month ago. The sun can Cook you here. I was right about the recent basalt flows on the north side, except these are steep cliffs.

Posting from Lone Pine Film History Museum....

Wagga says you got it! Way to go.


...and I was there about 3 years ago. Pretty fish there.

Clue 1: It's not in Colorado.

Interesting story about those steep volcanic cliffs on the north side dropping down to the bay. If I have a few details mixed up, forgive me, this is essentially what they tell at the local NP historical site Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (the City of Refuge).

When a Big Kahuna or Chief died, a volunteer was lowered over the edge of these cliffs on a rope to bury the bones in an undisclosed location in one of the natural crevasses in the volcanic rock. The bones were believed to hold the spirit of the dead (the mana), so this was very important stuff to make sure nobody found the bones and stole his power. The guys belaying him over the cliff could not see what he was doing so nobody but the volunteer knew where the bones were hidden. Once the bones were hidden in a secret spot on the cliff face, the volunteer gave the okay shout to pull him back up. In the interest of security, the rope was then cut and nobody knew where the bones were hidden. Hence the famous saying, "people who live in grass houses shouldn't store bones." Okay, I made up a bad pun, but the legend is apparently true.

This location is where the Hawaiian Islands were "discovered" and the end of the cruise for the great Captain Cook. He was killed in a misunderstanding over a row boat. When the natives returned his bones to his ship docked at this site, they thought they were being respectful, but it wasn't taken that way. The crew thought the natives ate their beloved Captain and went on a revengeful killing spree.

I was just there snorkeling about a month ago. My parents live nearby in Kona so we get there a lot. The snorkeling here is widely thought to be the best in all the Islands. We concur, but there are lots of close seconds. Three ways to get here: a scenic 2 mile hike with a 1,300 ft decent, kayak across Kealakekua bay and probably see dolphins swimming with you, or take a tour boat snorkel trip. We've hiked many times and kayaked also. Love this place. Thanks, Wagga.

Did you hike in or kayak to the monument? I'm betting you didn't take a tour boat, but they do have a smoking BBQ going that makes you want to spear a fish.

What are you doing in Lone Pine? I thought your MR trip was pow (excuse the Hawaiian pig latin).

Sorry everybody, I'm a newbie to this game and I gave away too much information. I don't see how to edit my post to clean it up for those still solving it. Maybe Steve can help with that.

Also, the photo challenge I posted should be #52. It's not in Colorado.

It's rather arbitrary -- when it is ok to spill info, that is. You're ok in my book.

Steve can fix the numbering on #52.

BTW, I am in The Hague, where it is very flat. I missed the action on Captain Cook, but it's not like I had figured it out or anything.

Thanks, Alan. The Netherlands must be great.

Clue #2 for LII (#52): Think Big

SierraNevada wrote:
> Did you hike in or kayak to the monument? I'm betting you didn't take a tour boat, but they do have a smoking BBQ going that makes you want to spear a fish.

You lose that bet. We took the outboard-motor Kona snorkel boats:


> What are you doing in Lone Pine? I thought your MR trip was pow (excuse the Hawaiian pig latin).
MR hike was cancelled, but servicing webcam had to be done.

Back to WITWHH 52: It looks like a river exiting some volcanic island, as in Hawaii.

SierraNevada: you have a new PM. (Private Message).

If the photo was in color, the rocks would still be named the same as you see them.

Okay, no bites at all on LII #52. Here's a summary of clues and a new clue that should be helpful:

Something historical happened at this location.

It not IN Colorado.

Think BIG.

If it were in color the rocks would still be named the same as you see them. Hint: the site is named after the appearance of the rocks.

US leader HH (nothing to do with challenge #50 HH)

I believe that site was named for a vacuum cleaner, no?