We Just Climbed the Tallest Mountain in the World?

Well...not from the bottom and not from sea level. But, according to some scientists, Mt. LamLam in Guam is technically about 38,300 feet high, if you started measuring from the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the ocean. (Mt. LamLam is 1,332 feet above sea level.)

This makes LamLam about 5,000 feet higher than Mt. Mauna Kea in Hawaii and about 6,000 feet more than Mt. Everest at about 32,000 feet (measuring from the ocean floor to the peak).

Saturday morning for our Pday, most of the senior couples joined Bishop Davis for this hike up Mt. LamLam and then to Mt Jumullong Manglo. Thanks Bishop Davis for showing us the way and taking this group photo.

At the first view-point Bishop Davis told us about the trail and named the landmarks

Pointing at a brown tree snake

Bishop Davis is a Guam Geocacher. On the way up the mountain he stopped to check on a cache and found a brown tree snake sitting directly over it. He decided to stop on the way back down the mountain to check on it after the snake was gone. (FYI...Geocaching is a world-wide game of hiding and seeking treasure. Often, the treasure is just a log for others to sign. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate a geocache.)

The trail up to Mt. LamLam was at times difficult to see as the jungle growth covered up some of the markers

After an hour and 15 minutes we made it to the top of LamLam - Bishop Davis getting ready to raise the flag of Guam

Elder Guercio, our mission nurse, receiving first aid from Sister Guercio

At the Summit ---- Front - Elder and Sister Martin, Elder Reed. Back - Sister Hurst, Elder and Sister Guercio, Sister Reed

While taking a picture of the great views, a big dragonfly zipped by

Hiking back down

Now on the trail to Mt. Jumullong Manglo - This part is a little easier - Beautiful grassy hills

Hiking through some beautiful wild orchids

Arrived at Mt. Jumullong Manglo

Every "Good Friday" many people trek to this peak and bring a 500 lb. cross with them, symbolizing how Jesus Christ suffered as he carried the cross before being crucified. 

During this three hour hike we could see the vast ocean on both the east and the west side of the island.

Beautiful views from the top of Mt. Jumullong Manglo

Heading down the mountain. Another fun morning hiking with friends and seeing more of God's creations.

View of the top of Mt. Jumullong Manglo