Koko Crater 2004 with HTMC

Koko Crater 2004 with HTMC

Posted to OHE on 1 January 2004 by Tom Yoza

Driving down the windward coast from Kāneʻohe/Kāhāluʻu to Hawaiʻi Kai, it was raining the entire way—but it stopped when I reached the Blow Hole parking lot. The lot was already full of cars at 7:15 a.m., most belonging to people hoping to see a sunrise that never happened.

Jim, Jay, Dick, and John headed off to the Arch to install ropes. Mike, Helene, and I went up the ridge slightly to the left of the parking lot—per hike coordinator Laura—to flag the down trail. As we ascended the ridge, the rain returned. We reported back to Laura that the trail was slick in places and that the wind was really bad the higher we went.

When the three of us reached the rim of the crater, a decision was made by higher authority to cancel the hike.

Since we were already up there—and already wet—we decided to continue on to the top. From the Arch route, John, Jay, and Jason were also determined to complete this traditional hike. By then, most of the regular club hikers were assembled back at the parking lot.

Five hard-core guys, led by Pat Enomoto, also chose to brave the inclement weather and hike to the top after learning that we were already up there.

A few minutes after topping out, it really started to pour. We waited for the other five to reach the summit, then everyone scrambled down the cable car tracks. About four or five hikers arrived just as we were leaving—they came up the tracks. Another man was on his way up, about halfway down.

The tracks were burned at the very top and below the open trestle area. It was a little tricky going down in the rain, but we all survived. Hike leaders Laura and Ralph were waiting at the rifle range with Ralph’s pickup truck to give us a ride back to the Blow Hole parking lot. I think the five hard-core hikers walked back along the coast trail.

We then went to the HTMC Clubhouse, where the rest of the folks had gathered for drinks, snacks, and fellowship. Earlier, they held a eulogy for our fallen comrade Steve Becker. After that, most went to Joe and Ruby Bussen’s house for a New Year’s Day feast.

I went home instead—to a hot shower and dry clothes.

Only took a few pictures on this wet day:
View photos here
Hope that link works!

PAU,
Thomas