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Hike: Olomana |
Time Started: 9:45 AM |
Party: Stacie Young, Wayne Shibata & Alex Okihara | |
Summary:
Olomana was the first hike that I ever did with Grant Tokumi, and I had forgotten to bring my camera that day. Stacie also came along that day, and she took pictures, but later lost her camera somewhere on the trail of Pu'u Manamana. The last time we came, the weather was very poor, and we only made our way to the first peak. Today, we returned to make our way to the third.
After parking on the road before the bridge, we continued on foot on the road leading to the country club. After a 10 minute walk, we turned left onto the trail, marked by some square wood logs laying on the ground. We then continued on the trail, and ran into the Pumpkin Smasher (Daryn) who was also heading up to the first peak. After talking story for a while, we continued on.
We later encountered some ropes to assist us in our climb. Just before the top, we had to climb a steep rock face with the aid of a rope. Continuing on, we stopped to admire the view from the first peak. Looking toward the third peak, the climb looked very steep and narrow.
Clouds started coming in closer from the Makapu'u side, and we continued on to the second peak, reaching it at about 10 minutes after the first peak.
From the second peak to the third peak, I was faced with one of the steepest descents I have ever been on. It was so cool. There are ropes provided to assist in the climb down.
After reaching the bottom, I started to climb up toward the third peak. The trail was longer than I had expected, and was not as steep as it had appeared from the first peak. There are some tricky sections though, and there were some steep places where ropes where unavailable.
I had made it to the 3rd peak about 20 minutes after reaching the 2nd peak, and looked back to see where Stacie and Wayne were. Stacie was having trouble descending the second peak, and was stuck near one of the steep sections. I decided to cruise while waiting for them to arrive.
The clouds where quickly approaching, and a little while later, tiny drops started to fall. The clouds quickly rose over the 3rd peak like smoke from a huge fire. It was such an awesome sight to see the clouds rise to pass over Olomana. I could no longer see the first and second peaks because the rapidly rising clouds had obstructed my view.
As I continued to wait for Wayne and Stacie, bigger drops started to fall, and I started to get very cold. After about a half hour of waiting, I decided to turn back, thinking that Stacie and Wayne may be waiting for me somewhere. Due to the rains, there was an added danger of slippery rocks! I almost lost it a couple of times while heading back down, especially at a particularly steep section near the top.
Continuing on, I finally found Stacie, who had just finished eating her lunch! Auwe! I was so hungry too.
We all turned around and headed back toward the second peak. I wanted to get some pictures of me on the ropes, so I gave my camera to Wayne while I started my ascent back up. The climb back up was challenging because everything was slippery, including the cable.
Stacie followed me, and we both waited for Wayne to reach the top of the second peak. Then it started to rain pretty heavily, and when Wayne appeared, he had some scratches, cuts, and bruises on his legs.
We then head back to the first peak where Wayne and I ate lunch. The rains had stopped, but it was so cold up there. We later turned back toward the car, reaching it at about 3:40 PM.
We parked off to the side of the road just before the bridge. You can see Olomana
in the background.
We walked up on a paved asphalt road which leads to the country club and turned left
on a trail here.
After a moderate climb uphill through an area with heavy vegetation, we eventually
broke out into the open and began climbing steeply. This photo was taken near the
top of the first peak.
We then encountered an area where ropes are available for assistance.
This photo was taken from the top of the steep rock section minutes before reaching
the first peak. Here Wayne finds the best footing while asending the rock face. The
rock face is around 10 feet high or so.
Looking back, you can see the trail we used to get to the first peak.
Here is a shot of the second and third peaks from the first peak. The third peak
looks very steep and narrow!
The descent from the second peak is very steep. Luckily, there are ropes available.
Here is a shot of one of the steeper rope-assisted drops.
This shot was actually taken while going back to the second peak, but it shows a cool
rock formation. Here's Stacie edging around the rock formation on a narrow ledge.
Here's the rock formation from a different angle.
After reaching the third peak, I took a picture looking back toward the first
and second peaks. The first peak is pretty far away, and I could barely see the people
that were standing on it.
Shortly after reaching the third peak, the clouds started rising over Olomana, blocking
the view of the first and second peaks.
I later decided to turn around and take a picture of the misty third peak.
Heading back up the second peak was a real challenge since the cables were wet.
You can see how steep the climb back up is.
Here is another shot of the second peak from the trail.
After arriving back at the first peak, it was lunch time! Here, Stacie snickers
at Wayne's space blanket.