This was definitely a moment of self-doubt that led me to wonder if I had made a good decision, or if I would be one of those people you read about in the newspaper and everyone says, "That's darwinism."
I had spoken to several hikers who had turned around at this point because they weren't comfortable. I thought about turning around too, at least 4 times. Especially because it was windy and rainy. My guide told me, "The conditions aren't the best, but I've completed the hike in worse weather." And also, when am I ever going to have another opportunity to do this hike?
There were several times when the wind picked up, and I just hunkered down behind a shrub waiting for it to pass. Funnily enough, it reminded me of being a kid and walking down the driveway in those good-old-Aleutian storms without tree protection, but hunkering down behind one of my dad's many pieces of machinery.
The entire ridge was as wide as a normal sized stairwell, on the widest spots, but with limited protection from the wind the further the hike went. A few times, the wind started to really pick up when I was in one of those spots where there wasn't any protection, I just make sure that every step was deliberate with a strong foundation, and my poles solidly in the mud.
I had to keep reminding myself why I'm here.
In December, Kristin and Peter got married, and we didn't really have time for a big hike like this. This hike was something that I couldn't stop thinking about, so at the end of the wedding, after hardly getting a chance to talk to Kristin and Peter - because of wedding festivities - I decided that I was going to come back and hang out with them, and hike while they were working.
On Sunday night, I was looking at reviews for Stairway to Heaven, planning to do it on Wednesday, and one of the people left a review saying "message me on instagram if you have any questions." Well, I decided to send him a quick message asking a few things. He responded with answers and asked if I was interested in a guided trip. I hadn't planned on it, but thought that it's good to support local people, and this was a trail that I wasn't so sure about. So, Yes. Mike does the hike weekly and charges $75 which includes grippers and gloves. I'm not sure if it's $75 per person or total, because it was just me. And I'll tell you right now, I would not have been able to find the trail nor make it to the top without his services.
He knew the trail and all the offshoots that people get lost on. There was a solo-hiker who went on two offshoots before finding the correct trail up the middle ridge. Ultimately, when I was at the top, that solo hiker teased me for being more french than she, because I brought brie and a wine spritzer for a snack.
Story: The Ha'iku Radio Station was "a top secret facility that was to be used to transmit radio signals to Navy ships that were operating through the Pacific." Apparently, it took the first climbers, Bill Adams and Louis Otto 21 days to figure out the route and to reach the summit. Fortunately, it took me 4 hours, but that's because the trail already existed. And Ha'iku is the name of the area after the Kahili flower, and not the Japanese style of poetry.
So, now for a few pictures: Screenshot of the trail on All Trails, as well as the incline.
On the ridge. With the wonderfully limited view.
Another ridge photo
Video of how terribly windy and rainy it was:
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Selfie with the trail behind me, and little to see. I did not realize that my gloves were so muddy when I itched my face. Because it was so wet, I took very few photos going up, and did not get a picture of the vertical mud waterfall.
The mud I was walking in. Without the grippers/Yaktrax, it would not have been possible. I told the guide that I never would have thought to use grippers in the mud, but they are now a new essential to hiking.
Inside the Haiku Radio facility. Lots a grafiti.
Found this appropriate:
Yes, there are two paths you can go down, but there's still time to change the road you're on. -LZ
First time hiking with my new Garmin InReach. I am still learning how to use this thing, and forgot to track my trail until the end when I remembered that was an option. I'll get used to using it more regularly.
Top of the stairs.
The Haiku Radio Facility
And time to head back down the mountain. I took this picture to try and show how narrow the trail was. And I preferred walking in the muddy rut instead of risking slipping on the sides.
The valley started to clear on the way down, and I could see where I was going instead of a mysterious trail off in to the mist.
Neat vegetation lining the trail.
Muddy muddy muddy!
My hands, AFTER washing them, and wearing gloves.
Had it not been misty and rainy, this is the view I would've had:
Instead of this:
However, for fun, I decided to write a Haiku about the Ha'iku stairs.
Two thousand foot drop
Doubting every choice I've made
To climb to heaven
Sources: Wikipedia: Haiku Stairs; That Adventure Life: Stairway to Heaven
And now that we're at the end where no one actually reads to this far, I have to come clean. I did have a guide, kind of. I had someone that was on call for me. All the times that I referenced talking to a guide was when I called him on the phone and did check-ins. He was constantly texting me, and I did rent gear from him. However, I did this hike alone, and it was probably the most terrifying and difficult hike I have ever done.
He was a good guide, and everything else I said about him was true. He gave great directions, I only went down the wrong path twice, and did help others find the right path. When I was worried about weather, I called him.
So, I told the white... or grey, greyish... black lie. I lied. I lied to Kristin so she wouldn't be worried about me. And she had every right to be worried about me. I was worried about me. I doubted my choices, and there were a few times that, even though I was being careful, I started to slide off the muddy ridge. That's the real reason I was so muddy. I just sat down in the mud the mud waterfalls, grabbing to the rocks, ropes, and roots. And then I doubled down so she wouldn't be angry with me. And now I'm telling the truth here with the hopes that she forgives me by the time I see her at the end of May. I am thankful that I have friends who care about me.
Kristin, I'm sorry.
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