Mountain Climbing Hawaiian Style

Today is day four of our Hawaiian vacation, and the day we have chosen to climb Diamond Head Mountain. Diamond Head is actually an extinct volcano, so what we are actually going to climb is the wall of the crater itself.

We left the hotel at about 8:30 AM. It is cloudy and a little cooler than it has been. Just the right temperature for our mountain trek. But, before we do that it is a stop at Starbucks for some life sustaining nectar of the gods.

After the needed nourishment, we met up with our Sherpa guide, for the trek to the base of the mountain. In his spare time, our Sherpa guide doubles as a Honolulu city bus driver. The trek expedition, took us to the base of the mountain and base camp one. Our supplies secured safely in my backpack, we set out for base camp two.

After a lengthy and steady climb, our grueling 10 minute climb ended at the second base camp and a stop at the porta-potty there to unload the coffee from earlier. From here the expedition started out for base camp three. Our trek took us through a huge lava tunnel that was big enough to drive a bus through.

Arriving at base camp three, we were met by two Hawaiian ladies who took our $1.00 admission fee into the park itself. After exchanging our money and receiving last minute instructions, we set out on the final push to the summit.

It seems today that we are not the only expeditions on the mountain, as there was a Japanese team, a Chinese team, a Korean team and the US Team as well. We appeared to be the only Canadian contingent present.

The climb started as a gentle slope, and quickly got into the more treacherous and steep terrain. Climbers were all over the place and began to bunch up dangerously. We reached the first lava tube, which seemed to stretch forever. It was dark and hot, with curious and somewhat dangerous odors present. We became very badly bunched up and were trapped in the tube for quite some time. The temperature was rising drastically.

Finally we broke through into the daylight and the cooling breeze from the distant ocean was a welcome relief. Now it was through a series of switchbacks over cooled lava worn down by the feet of a multitude of trekkers. Then we hit the first mountain staircase, built many years ago. It was a total of 70 steps going up at almost a 75 degree angle. Reaching the top of those stairs put us into another lava tube.

Again the many trekkers began to bunch up and we stalled about halfway through the tube. Claustrophobia among members of some expeditions was beginning to take its toll. Finally another breakthrough into the mountain air, and yet another mountain staircase. This one had a total of 99 steps and went up at about an 80 degree angle.

At the top of the staircase we entered a concrete bunker built during World War II for Hawaiian coastal defense. Up a spiral staircase of 45 more steps, straight up and we emerged into the bunker itself, overlooking Waikiki. To get to the top of the crater itself, we had to wedge ourselves through the gun portal to the outside. No easy feat when you have the flexibility of your average 2x4. Finally we emerged on the top of the mountain, victorious in our trek. We have successfully scaled one of the highest peaks in Oahu.