Olomana - May 31, 2008

It's the end of May, and I've done a lot of hiking this month. Today I added one more hike just before the month was over, and Rio and Shanoah joined me to scale Olomana at Luana Country Club in Kailua. Coming down the H-3 we could see Olomana protruding abruptly just off of Kalanianaole Highway. As we got closer we could really see how high the first peak was. It was like the excitement you get when you see a huge rollercoaster. Olomana has three peaks. Most people take the trail only to the first peak; today we did all three. The hike took us four hours to complete. The sun was blazing when we started, and the climb at the beginning was grueling. There were a few rope sections for climbs that were near vertical. After ascending for about 45 minutes we finally reached the first peak: the tallest of the three. There were no trees at the top to obstruct the view, and the 360-degree panorama was well worth the strenuous climb. We immediatedly descended the first peak to the second peak. Reaching the second peak was easy, but descending the second peak was the craziest part of the hike. The descent from the second peak involved nothing else but ropes. I only got one picture from the top. I put my camera away for safety reasons and started the descent over lose rock and dirt. I wish I took a picture of the huge rope sections on the descent, and I should've on the way back, but I forgot. We reached the bottom and headed up to the third peak. The third peak wasn't so bad. I've heard stories of it being dangerous and narrow and whatever ... but it was the easiest part of the hike, in my opinion. Once we reached the third peak, I told Shanoah if he wanted to try to descend the other side. I've read about the third peak descent on the internet, and it's considered to be very difficult and dangerous. It was. There was a rock face about eight feet high that had no safe way of getting down or back up. There was only a rope for assistance, and a loop at the rope's end was made to put your foot in. I tried, but it was sketchy cause there was a huge drop on one side. One slip and the drop would be fatal. I tried other methods, but nothing worked. Shanoah tried, and he failed as well. So Olomana's third peak descent is still yet to be done. I'll bring a foot stool next time. We headed back, and the ascent up the second peak was painful. My hands are calloused from pulling so much rope. Four hours and six miles later, we reached our car.

At the top of the first peak.

The third peak, our destination.

Going down the first peak to the second peak.

Rio, at the top of the huge rope section to descend the second peak.

Climbing the third peak.

Shanoah, going around a rock face.

Almost to the top.

Rio, and big drop.

Probably the narrowest part of the hike.

Here I am trying to descend the third peak. I failed. (photo: S. Ahsing)

Shanoah's turn. He failed.

Drop.

Going back.

Cool looking rock structure.

Climbing back up to the first peak. The arrow is pointing at Rio. Click on the picture for a bigger image.

Views:

Mokapu Point and Kailua.

The Mokulua Islands.

Rabbit Island and Waimanalo.





Plants:

Weird looking plant. It smelled good though.