Photo and caption by Nadia Otake

In a place known for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate, in the middle of the pacific rests one of the highest mountains in the world: Mauna Kea. A dormant volcano, 13,796 ft above sea level, however, counting with the mountain under water, Mauna Kea is over 33,000 ft tall, higher than Mount Everest. Considered sacred for the locals in Hawaii, the mountain is also one of the best spots for astronomical researches.

Location: Mauna Kea Mountain - Big Island Haiwaii