Sunset Above the Clouds

This is what sunset looks like on top of a volcano, whose summit is above the clouds! Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. It is 4,207 m above sea level. The summit lies above the tree line, and consists of mostly lava rock and alpine tundra, which is inhospitable to vegetation. Since the summit is above the inversion layer, most cloud cover lies below the summit. which ensures that the air on the summit is dry. The atmospheric conditions make it one of the best sites in the world for astronomical observation. However, the high elevation brings the risk of altitude sickness. Not to mention the incredibly steep road grade and overall inaccessibility, which make the volcano dangerous and summit trips difficult...But, very worthwhile for the adventurous!