Author Archives: Thomas

The Parallax View

NASA’s New Horizons probe, speeding through the Kuiper Belt, has taken a series of photos of nearby stars, including Proxima Centauri and Wolf 359. New Horizons is 46 AU away from the sun, and at that distance the parallax between New Horizons’ camera and Earth based telescopes is quite dramatic. This image shows the difference in the position of Wolf 359 and Proxima Centauri between Earth and New Horizons’ position. That’s really cool.

Happy Easter To All

Happy Easter to All. My wife has been hard at work creating a series of video art tutorials. Here is a sample that she is releasing for Easter to everyone. Enjoy!

Working From Home

Home with the kids for the next two weeks. They get an early spring break, then start online learning next week. Picked up their books from school yesterday. All meetings more than 10 people are strongly discouraged. Many restaurants are only doing take out orders, hotels are nearly empty. Yet flights from South Korea, Japan continue. Go figure. Manila is on lockdown. My employees there are all at home – some in the provinces outside Manila. Trying my best to work from home. Lots of Zoom and GoToMeetings right now. Our VPN is terribly slow – probably because so many people are on it right now. It is painfully slow just trying to connect and get some files. I was trying to use RDP yesterday, and there was about a 10 second delay in the response time.

Coronavirus Hits Guam

Yesterday, the first cases of COVID-19 were reported on Guam late in the afternoon. Three cases at GMH. About ten minutes later, my son’s soccer league was suspended. This morning school is suspended until further notice, UOG is closed, the hospitals are not letting visitors in, and GovGuam has shut down all non-essential services for two weeks. On Saturday, the governor declared a health emergency and cancelled all events with 100+ people. Today that number is down to 50. And we are making up our plan forward at work right now. I am designating critical employees and probably sending the rest home for two weeks.

Coronavirus K.O.’s Festpac, Marathon and More

Concerns about the rapidly exanding Coronavirus has prompted organizers in Hawaii to postpone the 13th Festival of the Pacific Arts, or FestPac. Guam hosted the 12th FestPac in 2016, it was an amazing opportunity. Here on Guam, news broke today that the United Airlines Guam Marathon, set for April 15, is postponed until September. Lots of speculation about the Olympics being postponed as well. I have to say that the tourist spots on Guam are a ghost town right now. Arrivals are down by 33% from what I heard.

So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

I got some sad news today; the SETI@Home project is coming to an end on March 31. This is the message I found in my BOINC Manager software this week:
SETI@home: SETI@home hibernation
On March 31, the volunteer computing part of SETI@home will stop distributing work and will go into hibernation. We’re doing this for two reasons: 1) Scientifically, we’re at the point of diminishing returns; basically, we’ve analyzed all the data we need for now. 2) It’s a lot of work for us to manage the distributed processing of data. We need to focus on completing the back-end analysis of the results we already have, and writing this up in a scientific journal paper. However, SETI@home is not disappearing. The web site and the message boards will continue to operate. We hope that other UC Berkeley astronomers will find uses for the huge computing capabilities of SETI@home for SETI or related areas like cosmology and pulsar research. If this happens, SETI@home will start distributing work again. We’ll keep you posted about this. If you’re currently running SETI@home on your computer, we encourage you to attach to other BOINC-based projects as well. Or use Science United and sign up to do astronomy. You can stay attached to SETI@home, of course, but you won’t get any jobs until we find new applications. We’re extremely grateful to all of our volunteers for supporting us in many ways during the past 20 years. Without you there would be no SETI@home. We’re excited to finish up our original science project, and we look forward to what comes next.
Well that’s a bummer. I started participating in SETI@Home back in 1999, and I have been running the software on every computer I’ve had since. Well almost: In 2005 SETI@Home moved to a new architecture called BOINC, and I was hesitant to sign up for a few years. Instead I doubled down on another distributed computing project I joined called Folding@Home; I felt bad that I could be using my computer’s spare cycles to work on the cure for cancer instead of looking for little green men. The idea of doing all this distributed work around the world on a common goal really interested me, both intellectually and technically. I actually got a bit obsessed with my ranking amongst all the users. Seems like a lot of other people did too... Around 2008, I started reading about another distributed computing project, something called BitCoin. The idea was to distribute the ledger amongst all the participants, and reward their efforts in computing the transaction with digital BitCoins. I was really intrigued by the idea, but I didn’t want to sacrifice my standings in SETI@Home and Folding@Home rankings, especially for something that had absolutely no value at the time. Man, I am still beating myself up for that decision. I actually started up with another BOINC based project a couple months ago, Einstein@Home, but I am not as enthused about that project. Primarily because Einstein@Home really bogs down my computer. I signed up for ClimatePrediction.net as well, but they seem to be a mothballed project like SETI@Home will soon be. So I guess I will just be folding proteins now full time instead of splitting between two projects. Till then I can admire my stats page for SETI@Home and Folding@Home.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Betelgeuse

Zooming in on Betelgeuse
That’s a pretty cool video there. The interesting bits are at the end, with the infrared imaging of the dust clouds surrounding Betelgeuse, and then the final direct image of the red supergian star at the end. That bit at the end is actually the most recent imaging of the star, and a side by side comparison taken by the same telescope a year ago show the dramatic change in Betelgeuse’s shape:

Thank You Schoolhouse Rock

Last night my daughter was sitting at the computer doing homework. She asked me, “Dad, what’s an interjection?” and before I knew it, I blurted out “INTERJECTION!!! SHOWS EXCITEMENT! OR EMOTION! They’re generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point, or a comma if the feelings not too strong.”
I could go on… “So if you’re happy (HURRAY!), or sad (AWWW!), or frightened (EEEEK!), or mad (DRAT!), or excited (WOW!), or glad (Hey!), an interjection starts a sentence right.” Man, that shit is just burned into some neurons in my brain.
Keeping on that vein, this morning I looked up Schoolhouse Rock Rocks!, a tribute/cover album from the mid-90’s if I remember correctly. It’s got Blind Melon singing ‘Three is a Magic Number,’ which is about as mid-90’s as it gets. I wanted to treat the kids to more Schoolhouse Rock. Unfortunately, the album does not have ‘Interjection!’

Volcano Erupts in Philippines

TAGAYTAY, PHILIPPINES – JANUARY 12: Lightning strikes as a column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano as it erupts on January 12, 2020 as seen from Tagaytay city, Cavite province, Philippines. Local authorities have begun evacuating residents near Taal Volcano as it began spewing ash up to a kilometer high Sunday afternoon. The Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Sunday afternoon the volcano Taal just south of Manila erupted and threw ash a mile into the sky. Prevailing winds pushed the ash north onto metro Manila and led to all sorts of disturbances. Only a few people showed up in our Manila offices yesterday, and several of my employees live within 15 km of the volcano. Lots of ash fell in Cavite and Batangas. Even worse, the government is expected Taal to erupt violently at any time, spewing more ash, lava, mudslides, tsunami, etc. Mass evacuations are underway.
Taal Erupts Sunday Afternoon
Taal Sunday Afternoon
Lava Fountains Spotted Sunday Night
As it was Sunday afternoon, and Taal is a picturesque volcano near metro Manila, the area was full of tourists visiting the area. Taal is located on an island in the middle of Taal Lake. I have been there sightseeing many years ago, it is was a beautiful spot.

The Seed Jar

I caught this amazing story on Radiolab this week. It is actually a story I heard years ago now, probably 2014 or thereabouts. It is an amazing story about friends, objects, history and time. One of the main characters, Craig Childs, is an author and he blogged about the same story right here. Radiolab is one of the great ones. So many episodes are great, but one of my favorites is on YouTube – Dinopocalypse. I love the grungy jam at the end of the episode.

Hiker Dies In Fall At Talofofo Caves

At 2:00 this afternoon I was headed down to Jeff’s Pirates Cove for Mick Pexa’s memorial when I was stopped heading down the hill from Talofofo by the cops. They had traffic closed off and I could see multiple emergency vehicles at the Talofofo Caves trailhead. I knew immediately what had happened: A hiker fell down one of the caves. The largest caves in the Talofofo Caves group are enormous pit caves, and the area is completely undeveloped. It would be very easy to fall down one of those caves, and today, someone did:
A man died Saturday morning after he fell 100 feet inside a Talofofo cave, according to the Guam Fire Department.
GFD spokesman Kevin Reilly reports that it happened just before 11 a.m. A Caucasian man estimated to be 50 to 60 years old fell while climbing inside the cave.
I checked the schedule in the post below, and yes this was the regular Saturday morning Boonie Stompers whose schedule I repost quarterly. My thoughts go out to not only this poor man, but everyone involved. You know, one of the things I remember about Mick Pexa was going on these Saturday Boonie Stomps and he would occassionally attend as well. Here’s a Youtube video posted by KUAM News with the story:

Q1 2020 Boonie Stomps

And the year 2020 is upon us. Here is the list of Boonie Stomps being put on by the Guam Boonie Stompers on Saturday mornings for the 1st quarter of 2020. Hikers meet at the center court of the Chamorro Village to sign up and get directions for that day’s hike. I believe the cost is still only a couple bucks, and you get a free t-shirt if you complete 10 boonie stomps. I don’t get much opportunity to go on these hikes anymore, watching my kids play soccer is my current Saturday morning jam, but maybe I can catch a hike once soccer season is over in the late spring. It’s a shame, since many of these hikes are truly epic boonie stomps. Anao Point, La Sa Fua River, Pagat, Southern Mountains, Tarzan Falls, these are all great, iconic hikes on Guam. Many are long marches to remote mountains and waterfalls. I have many fond memories of going on these hikes, plus my only taotaomona story I can tell occurred hiking to Inarajan Falls about 20 years ago.

  • 04 Jan Talofofo Caves Medium 3 hours for 0.8 miles We explore the extensive cave system overlooking Talofofo Bay including Window Rock. Bring: flashlights, 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, long pants, sun screen, insect repellant, lunch, camera, and a flashlight. Special Conditions: Crawling in caves.
  • 11 Jan Anao Difficult 5 hours for 2 milesBring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: Hiking over rough rocks and a long ascent.
  • 18 Jan La Sa Fua River Medium 3 hours for 1 miles We explore the waterfalls of a southwestern Guam valley. Bring: 2 liters water, swim suit, water shoes, hiking shoes, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: Some steep slopes, wet rocks, and walking in water.
  • 25 Jan Tarzan Falls with Cross Island option Very Difficult 6 hours for 7 miles We journey to a series of three cooling waterfalls in central Guam, a great family hike. The more adventurous can continue on to Lower Sigua Falls and out to Turner Road. Bring: 2 quarts water, hiking shoes, gloves, swimsuit, sun screen, lunch, insect repellent, and camera. Special Conditions: muddy trail, several hills up and down, slippery rocks.
  • 01 Feb Mt. Santa Rosa (Piggy) Cave Difficult 3 hours for 0.5 miles We explore a unique cave along the volcanic/limestone geological junction. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, long pants, insect repellent, lunch, camera, and flashlights. Special condition: Climbing in narrow cave passages with water.
  • 08 Feb Fadian Difficult 3 hours for 1 miles We descend to this scenic cove below the cliffs to swim and snorkel if the water is calm. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: A steep hill to climb and hiking over rough rocks. Possible surf.
  • 15 Feb Pagat Loop Difficult 4 hours for 2.5 miles We descend the cliff and through the limestone forest to explore the coastline with a great view north and then head to the ancient Chamorro village and cave. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, water shoes, flashlight, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: Stretches of steep climbing, walking in cave water, and over rough limestone rocks.
  • 22 Feb Hilaan, Lost Pond & Shark’s Hole Medium 3 hours for 2.6 miles We hike north from Tanguisson Beach and snorkel at Shark’s Hole of the water is calm, also visit the fresh water pool for a cool swim in the jungle behind the beach. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: Hiking over some rough rocks and in the water.
  • 29 Feb Ague Cove Medium 3 hours for 0.4 miles We descend to a cove ideal for swimming and snorkeling if the water is calm. This will be a cleanup hike. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: A steep slope to ascend and a few rough rocky trail areas.
  • 07 Mar Southern Mountains to Ija Very Difficult 7 hours for 8 miles We climb up Mt. Jumullong-Manglo to enjoy the views, descend steeply to the long open Southern Mountains trail, passing Mt. Bolanos and Ilichos to reach Atete, crossing over to Mt. Schroeder, and making the long steep downhill climb down the ridge to Ija. Bring: 4 quarts water minimum, hiking shoes, gloves, sun screen, insect repellant, hat, lunch and snacks, and camera. Special Conditions: Sword grass, little shade, a lot of climbing, and a very long hike.
  • 14 Mar Mt. Lamlam North Very Difficult 4 hours for 2.2 miles We explore the ridgeline of Guam’s tallest peak. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and camera. Special Conditions: Swordgrass, rough rocks, and steep slopes.
  • Mar 21 Mt. Jumulong-Manglo Medium 3 hours for 2.2 miles We hike up to the large cross on top of a mountain next to Mt. Lamlam. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special Conditions: Swordgrass, rough rocks, and steep slopes.
  • Mar 28 Mt. Schroeder to Inalajan Very Difficult 6 hours for 4.5 miles We hike up and over Mount Schroeder from Merizo, make the steep climb up the shoulder of Mt. Ilichos, hike up to reach Atete, and make the long trek over the southern badlands, with a short side trip to the falls, to reach Inarajan. Bring: 4 quarts water minimum, hiking shoes, gloves, sun screen, insect repellant, hat, lunch and snacks, and camera. Special Conditions: Sword grass, little shade, a lot of climbing, and a very long hike.

Vermeer

So long as that woman from the Rijksmuseum
in painted quiet and concentration
keeps pouring milk day after day
from the pitcher to the bowl
the World hasn’t earned
the world’s end. -Wisława Szymborska
Vermeer Melkmeisje
Here’s a nice write-up. And while I am at it, here’s what incited this post.

2019 Q4 Boonie Stomps

And just like that, the end of 2019 is just around the corner. Here are the hikes posted by Guam Boonie Stompers on their Facebook page as of September 29, 2019.

HIKING SCHEDULE:

  • 28 SEP Inarajan Falls Difficult 4 hours for 5 miles We hike over the hills of southeastern Guam to the best waterfalls in the Western Pacific. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Long walking in sun through open, hilly terrain, climbing a steep slope with a rope, some mud.
  • Oct 05 Lower Sigua Falls Difficult 5 hours for 6 miles We trek over the hills of central Guam to two great waterfalls. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, steep slopes, walking in water, little shade, and a long hike.
  • Oct 12 San Carlos and Lonfit Swim Hole Difficult 4 hours for 3.2 miles We journey to a secluded waterfall and a swimming hole in central Guam. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, water shoes, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Steep slopes, walking in water, mud, rocky river, and climbing with a rope.
  • Oct 12 5:30 PM Moonie Stomp – Mt. Jumulong-Manglo Medium 3 hours for 2.2 miles We hike up to the large cross on top of a mountain next to Mt. Lamlam. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, rough rocks, and steep slopes.
  • Oct 19 Cetti 7 Very Difficult 5 hours for 1.2 miles We descend into the Cetti Valley and then climb up all 7 waterfalls. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, water shoes, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Steep slopes, swordgrass, walking in water, and serious rope climbing.
  • Oct 26 Upper Lonfit Falls 5 hours for 4 miles Hike the upper reaches of the Lonfit River past an endless series of waterfalls, including swimming, jumping, a flume canyon, and a rope swing. Bring: 3 liters water, get wet shoes, gloves, sun screen, insect repellant, lunch, and a camera. Special conditions: extensive walking in water, slippery rocks, steep slopes, mud, sword grass.
  • Nov 02 Manunu and Clint’s Falls Difficult 4 hours for 3 miles We explore a new sixty foot waterfall in the Cetti-Manunu valley. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera.
  • Nov 09 Agfayan Falls Medium 5 hours for 2 miles We journey to a secluded waterfall in southeastern Guam. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Some swordgrass and walking in water.
  • Nov 16 Ben’s Falls to Mt Lamlam Difficult 6 hours for 3 miles We journey to 3 waterfalls on the Sella River in southern Guam. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, water shoes, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Walking in water through rocky river, steep slopes through swordgrass, and climbing waterfalls with a rope.
  • Nov 23 Taleyfac Falls Medium 3 hours for 1 miles We walk the Taleyfac River to the falls and explore the dam. Bring: Swimsuits, 2 quarts water, shoes that can get wet, gloves, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch and a camera. Special conditions: Walking in water, climbing with ropes, swordgrass.
  • Nov 30 Tony’s and Asan Falls Easy 3 hours for 1.3 miles From Asan overlook we hike down to Tony’s waterfall. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swim suit, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass and steep slopes.
  • Dec 07 Sinesa Falls and Lower Sigua Very Difficult 5 hours for 6.2 miles We hike over the hills and through a gorge of southern Guam to World War II tanks and two waterfalls. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, water shoes, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Rope climbing, steep slopes, slippery mud, and walking in water.
  • Dec 14 Dante River Very Difficult 6 hours for 6 miles Explore the stream leading up to Dante Falls in Southeastern Guam. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, steep slopes, and walking in water.
  • Dec 21 Maguagua Falls Difficult 4 hours for 2.5 miles We head to a unique waterfall in central Guam. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, steep slopes, and climbing with a rope.
  • Dec 28 Priest’s Pools Easy 3 hours for 2 miles We hike to the freshwater pools of the Pigua River with waterfalls, jumping, and swimming. Bring 2 liters water, gloves, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and camera. Special condition: possible muddy trail and mosquitoes

Guam Boonie Stompers Schedule July – September

  • 06 JUL Libugon to Fonte Swim Hole Medium 3 hours for 2 miles We’ll visit the ruins of the historic site U.S. Navy radio station. Then we’ll hike to the 1910 dam and explore the valley downstream and cool off in the pools. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, water shoes, gloves, swim suit, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, and steep slopes
  • 13 JUL We have two hikes: 9AM (Tinta, Faha and Priest’s Pools) and a MOONIE STOMP 530PM Sella Bay
    • Tinta, Faha and Priest’s Pools Easy 4 hours for 1.5 miles We hike to the Merizo Massacre Sites of World War II and then cool off in the freshwater pools of the Pigua River. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swim suit, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special condition: mud.
    • Sella Bay Medium 4 hours for 1.5 miles We hike to the scenic bay to snorkel and explore the old Spanish bridge, Spanish oven, and ancient chamorro latte. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera.
  • 20 JUL Liberation Hike Easy 4 hours for 2.5 miles We travel to several sites for short walks to historic features for the Liberation of Guam in July 1944. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Short climbs and possible mud, slippery slopes, and swordgrass at Mount Alifan.
  • 27 JUL We have two options for hikes both at 9AM: Invasion Hike to Tony’s Falls, and Tony’s Falls Only.
    • Invasion Hike Difficult 4 hours for 1.5 miles We retrace the 21 July route of the U.S. Third Marine Division from Asan to the heights above and end up cooling off at a nearby waterfall. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swim suit, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass and steep slopes.
    • Tony’s Falls Easy 3 hours for 1.3 miles From Asan overlook we hike down to Tony’s waterfall. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swim suit, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass and steep slopes.
  • 03 AUG Waterfall Valley Medium 4.5 hours for 1 miles A couple of short hikes to a series of waterfalls in southeastern Guam. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swimsuit, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Walking in water, slippery mud, and climbing with a rope.
  • 10 AUG We have two options for hikes both at 9AM: Pagat Loop or Pagat Only. Pagat Loop Difficult 4 hours for 2.5 miles We descend the cliff and through the limestone forest to explore the coastline with a great view north and then head to the ancient Chamorro village and cave. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, water shoes, flashlight, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Stretches of steep climbing, walking in cave water, and over rough limestone rocks.
  • 17 AUG Tinago Falls Medium 3 hours for 3 miles We trek to a series of waterfall cascades in southeastern Guam. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swim suit, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Possible slippery mud.
  • 24 AUG Tarzan Falls Medium 3 hours for 1.4 miles We journey to a series of cooling waterfalls. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swimsuit, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and camera.
  • 31 AUG Fintasa and Laolao Falls Difficult 5 hours for 1.6 miles We journey to 2 cooling waterfalls in southeastern Guam. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Some walking in water and climbing with a rope.
  • 07 SEP Mt. Finansanta with Gues River Very Very Difficult 7 hours for 5 miles Our hardest hike, three difficult hikes strung together. We visit 2 mountains with fantastic views, a pristine jungle river, and swim, jump, and slide spots. Bring: 4 liters water, strong shoes, gloves, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch and snacks, and camera. Special conditions: Sword grass, steep slopes, walking in water, slippery rocks, more sword grass.
  • 14 SEP Guatali Falls Difficult 5 hours for 3.2 miles We hike from the central mountains of Guam into a pristine valley with 2 waterfalls and a swimming hole. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, water shoes, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Walking in water, climbing with a rope, and a long hike up and out.
  • 21 SEP Upper Sigua and Alutom Falls Medium 4 hours for 2.5 miles We hike to two cooling and scenic waterfalls in central Guam. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swimsuit, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Steep slopes, mud, and climbing with a rope.
  • 22 SEP Mt. Tenjo to Maguagua Medium 4 hours for 3.7 miles We hike to historic features along the Mount Chachao to Mount Tenjo ridge. Along the way we will see some of the remnants of the defensive positions taken up by U.S. forces at the time of WWI and WWII. Bring: 3 to 4 liters of water, hiking boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, swimsuit, and camera. Special conditions: deep swordgrass, steep rocky slopes, possible climbing with a rope and long distances.
  • 28 SEP Inarajan Falls Difficult 4 hours for 5 miles We hike over the hills of southeastern Guam to the best waterfalls in the Western Pacific. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Long walking in sun through open, hilly terrain, climbing a steep slope with a rope, some mud.

Guam Boonie Stompers Schedule March – June 2019

And here is the Boonie Stomper Hike Schedule, reprinted from their Facebook page. I wish I could go on a hike, these are some of my favorites here. Alas, my knee prohibits any such thing for the time being. I will also post this to the Google Calendar here.

  • Mar 16 Southern Mountains to Inarajan Very Difficult 7 hours for 12 miles We hike up and over Mount Jumujong Manglo to Inarajan. Bring: 5 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, insect repellant, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, little shade, a lot of climbing, and a seriously long hike.
  • Mar 23 Pagat Loop Difficult 4 hours for 2.5 miles We descend the cliff and through the limestone forest to explore the coastline with a great view north and then head to the ancient Chamorro village and cave. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, water shoes, flashlight, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Stretches of steep climbing, walking in cave water, and over rough limestone rocks.
  • Mar 30 Lajuna Difficult 4 hours for 4 miles We descend the northeastern cliff to the coastline and head north for a view of the massive landslide from the 1993 earthquake. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Hiking over rough rocks and a long ascent.
  • 06 Apr Brittany Falls Difficult 5 hours for 5 miles We explore a 20 foot waterfall in the heart of southern Guam with what might be the deepest accessible freshwater swimming hole in Guam. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, river crossing, rope climb, and a muddy swamp.
  • 13 Apr Asiga Cave Difficult 4 hours for 1.5 miles We visit an isolated southeastern wilderness area containing cliffs, dry caves, and two wet caves with underground pools. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking shoes, gloves, flashlight, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Walking on rough rocks, climbing in caves, mosquitoes, and scratchy vegetation.
  • 20 Apr Southwest Coast Difficult 6 hours for 7.5 miles We hike south from Agat to Umatac along the coast, passing by several scenic bays that are great for swimming and snorkeling. Bring: 3 liters water, wet shoes, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: A long hike in the sun over, sand, rocks, mud, and partly in the water.
  • 27 Apr Lajuna Difficult 4 hours for 4 miles We descend the northeastern cliff to the coastline and head north for a view of the massive landslide from the 1993 earthquake. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Hiking over rough rocks and a long ascent
  • 04 May Fadian Difficult 3 hours for 1 miles We descend to this scenic cove below the cliffs to swim and snorkel if the water is calm. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: A steep hill to climb and hiking over rough rocks. Possible surf.
  • 11 May Talofofo Caves Medium 3 hours for 0.8 miles We explore the extensive cave system overlooking Talofofo Bay including Window Rock. Bring: flashlights, 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, long pants, sun screen, insect repellant, lunch, camera, and a flashlight. Special condition: Crawling in caves.
  • 18 May Southeast Coast Difficult 6 hours for 5 miles We hike along this remote Asiga coastline with a few stops to cool off in the water. Bring: 4 quarts water, hiking boots, water shoes, swim suit, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Long stretches of walking in water, over rough rocks, no shade, and possible hazardous surf.
  • 25 May Atillong Acho to Sella Bay Difficult 4 hours for 3 miles We hike over black rock to the coastline and then north to Sella Bay. Bring 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, camera, swimsuit and snorkel gear. Special conditions: Steep slopes.
  • 01 Jun Ague Cove Medium 3 hours for 0.4 miles We descend to a cove ideal for swimming and snorkeling if the water is calm. This will be a cleanup hike. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: A steep slope to ascend and a few rough rocky trail areas.
  • 08 Jun Tarzan Swim Hole Medium 4 hours for 2 miles We journey to a remote swimming hole to cool off. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swimsuit, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Possibly slippery slopes and mud.
  • 15 Jun We have TWO hikes! Ritidian to Falcona at 0900 and a special MOONIE STOMP at Mt. Macajna at 5:30 pm. Ritidian to Falcona Difficult 5 hours for 6 miles We hike the long sandy beach south from Ritidian Point to secluded Falcona Beach, ending at the remains for the old pirate ship. Fast hikers have the option of trying for Double Reef
  • 22 Jun Mt. Tenjo to Maguagua with Tarzan Option Difficult 5 hours for 5 miles We hike to historic features along the Mount Chachao to Mount Tenjo ridge. Along the way we will see some of the remnants of the defensive positions taken up by U.S. forces at the time of WWI and WWII. Bring: 4 liters of water, hiking boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, swimsuit, and camera. Special conditions: deep swordgrass, steep rocky slopes, possible climbing with a rope and long distances.
  • 29 Jun Nimitz Caves Medium 4 hours for 1.2 miles We explore at least two natural caves from a significant battlefield of late July 1044, used by Japanese soldiers during the Liberation of Guam. Then we make an optional hike to Fonte Swim Hole to get a great view of Guam’s central area, clean up and cool off, and enjoy jumping and swimming. Bring: FLASHLIGHT, 2 quarts water, gloves, insect repellent, swimsuit, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Climbing and crawling in narrow cave passages.