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| Hiking | 12.55 Miles |
1,785 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.55 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 2.63 mph |
| 1,785 ft AEG | 14 Mns Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
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| Partners |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | After watching the sunrise at the Kalahaku Overlook, 2 miles down the hill, we drove up to the summit where we checked out the visitor center. Deb then dropped me off at the Sliding Sands Trailhead to begin my hike. Later, she would be waiting for me at the Halemauu Trailhead further down the hill.
It was still cold and extremely windy. About a mile down the trail, I was able to shed my jacket and switch to shorts. The extent of the wind can be seen in some of my early photos. This hike was quite different from the other hikes I'd done on the islands. The landscape is both stark and beautiful at the same time.
Four miles down, I veered off the Sliding Sands Trail onto the Ka Moa O Pele Trail and made my way to Kawilinau, often referred to as the "Bottomless Pit." At 65 feet deep, it's not actually bottomless.
The flatter areas of the trails tend to collect sand, which can become tiresome to walk in after a while. The rest of the trail was typically hard-packed or rocky and was easy to hike on.
The next stop was the Holua Cabin, where I had a conversation with a couple who had spent the night there. They were both from Argentina. There are three cabins in the crater, and this one is the most popular because it is the shortest hike to reach. Cabins cost $75 per night and can accommodate 12 people in bunks.
Now, for the final push and the 1400-foot climb out of the crater. There are numerous switchbacks on the way out. My timing was pretty good as the cloud cover from lower elevations started to rise and provided some welcome cool, moist shade. I also enjoyed more breathtaking views as I climbed out.
The climb out in the clouds
[ youtube video ]
[ youtube video ] |
| _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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