Post-hike

We made it!
The day started early as we left ~3am in order to beat the guard to the trailhead. And apparently we were not the only ones with this idea! There were 3 other groups hiking with us- one group of whom stopped to smoke cigarettes at every opportunity and still made it thru the whole thing faster! The stairs make up the entirety of the hike, and frequently turn from stairway into a ladder on the fairly vertical sections. We reached the first platform to rest and take in the only view we'd end up having the whole hike- still dark over Kaneohe but a lit up H3 highway and town far below and we were only 1/3 of the way up! Little did I know we should take a picture from here since we were not to see anything further up! As the ascent continued- the rain, wind and clouds worsened. Parts of the stairway follow a very narrow ridge line with sharp drop offs on either side- which one is made all the more aware of with the rain and wind blowing. And I swear the state must have run out of money or supplies because from the last platform to the top the stairs are about 1/2 the width as the first part of the stairway!
All this being said- it was still a far less scary climb than going up Half Dome!! See previous posts for this story if you don't recall... Nonetheless- I was happy to get home to a nice warm shower and breakfast!
So although today was far from the best day to undertake such a hike- it was still a noteworthy accomplishment. And tomorrow will be far from the best day of walking to show for it I'm sure!

On the way down during a brief intermission from the rain.

This is someone's internet photo- just wanted to show you the stairs and ridgeline!

In other hikes over the last couple of months- I went up to Ka'ena Point at the very western most tip of Oahu to watch the sunset. Gorgeous view from here and much preferred time of day for me as well! This area is a state park with no vehicle access on the last 2 miles of the peninsula. It serves as a nesting ground for several of the local seabirds including shearwater, albatross and frigate birds. Easy, flat hike and very peaceful area. In the right season the endangered Hawaiian monk seals can also be seen resting on the coastline- didn't see any this time around but plan to go back!

Looking back down the west coast of Oahu from the point

It's an alllllbatrossss!

No words needed

I was also finally able to do a short hike with one of the hiking groups on the island over Memorial Day weekend and was joined by my previous roommate- Leslie for this 3 mile trip overlooking Kaneohe Bay. Didn't find this hike listed in my hiking guidebook but it's a nice, fairly easy hike with a great view at the end! The group photos are courtesy of another member from the hiking group- thanks Mike!

Vilma (ironically a friend of my new roomie...small island...), Leslie and I 

Gorgeous view from the top looking northward up the east (windward) coast of Oahu

Hiking group on the way up

Coconut/Gilligan's Island from another view!

Pre-hike update

Most of my blogs are post-hikes or adventures- but as I've been quite bad about regular updates, thought I'd give a little pre-hike update and I'll return soon with some pictures from the planned hike tomorrow.

Island life continues to amaze me on a pretty regular basis, and although I've gotten used to the many little quirks of the culture, language and amenities here- I still have to laugh and sigh in amazement that I have been so lucky to be a part of it over the last year. And yes- can't believe it's been a year!! At this point- work is continuing to go well and the hospital is hiring 2 new doctors in September. I plan to continue on here for the better part of the year to come, and then- well, who knows!

A big local event just occurred last weekend called 'Bayfest'- which is held on the marine core base not far from where I live. They have a fair type set-up with live bands, rides, carnival food and lots of military vehicles for folks to check out the inside of (helicopters, hummers, etc.). It was pretty fun to attend, although much smaller than I anticipated for a 'big event'.  Puddle of Mud and Hoobastank were the performing artists the evening we attended- decent performances overall but it seemed to rain more as the night went on so I bailed a bit early from the concert.

I recently played paintball again and remembered that I don't really care for it as much as I keep thinking I do!  I think the sharpness of my distance eyesight is a limiting factor, and the rented gear never seems quite as accurate as the guns everyone else has! These are both probably reasons that I find laser tag much more enjoyable- everyone is in the dark and everyone has rented gear. Plus in laser-tag- you are never fully out of the game even if you get shot- you just need to recharge somewhere and then keep going. Ah well- not a bad time overall and certainly a good workout!

The upcoming hike is reportedly one of the best on the island- called Stairway to Heaven. When I first told people on the east coast I was moving here- there were actually a couple of people whose first remark was- 'you have to do this hike!' After moving here- there are 2 caveats I encountered to this notion.
1) It's not so much a hike as it is a stair master for 4000 steps up the side of one of the tallest peaks on the island. Awesome...I've always dis-liked the stair master...
2) It's mostly illegal. After the state paid to have new stairs installed up to the old federal coast guard station at the top, there was dispute over who was responsible legally for any injuries on the hike. And so they closed it and instead pay a guard to sit at the bottom and tell people not to climb it (brilliant use of money). From my understanding- these guards are more of a formality than an actual law enforcing entity, and many of the guards tell people not to climb up the stairs, then casually mention a side entrance to the hike that skirts the guard shack. And for any of you that have visited this state- you'll understand that many laws here are taken as suggestions and enforced with about as much gusto. Several people drink on the beaches, despite several signs that say no alcohol. Or prop their spear guns on the signs that say no fishing as they prepare to enter the water. As you might guess- this can be a good or bad thing, but overall doesn't cause as many issues as it might in other areas of the country.
And it is with this in mind that we prepare to wake in the pre-dawn hours and start up some insane number of stairs for arguably the best view on the island. Wish us luck in by-passing any legalities, I'll post pictures either from the top or from the bottom looking up at the top =).