tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192453388454898290.post3006327653412808215..comments2024-01-30T22:21:53.283-10:00Comments on Extreme Hiking Hawaii: Iao Needle -- by Pete ClinesDayle Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09409228377298646574noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192453388454898290.post-75066793412491901812019-10-07T10:30:44.829-10:002019-10-07T10:30:44.829-10:00Very interested in the Olowalu to Iao valley hike....Very interested in the Olowalu to Iao valley hike.<br />Topo maps indicate that the climb from the Olowalu 'meadow' is only 800' and a 33-degree grade. Surely do-able.<br />Several have given bad juju from unsourceable rumours.<br />Has anyone done this hike? It's pretty easy to get to the Olowalu 'meadow'--although I'm told the trailhead is closed and private property.<br /><br />Mahalos for your thoughts :)Brinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18399766908417450659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192453388454898290.post-8904583481432112142018-10-20T07:58:17.132-10:002018-10-20T07:58:17.132-10:00Where are the photos? the PHOTO posts are not link...Where are the photos? the PHOTO posts are not links, and i dont see the photos anywhereAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04140435375779048102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192453388454898290.post-38428642551488488682017-03-09T18:12:22.553-10:002017-03-09T18:12:22.553-10:00Hi it's me again. I was going to mention that ...Hi it's me again. I was going to mention that my free climb was in the winter of 1986/87 when I was 28 years old. The weather was beautiful, one of the only days it didn't rain in the valley. It started to sprinkle just as I found the bottom. Thanks for letting me share my story. It was an amazing week. I also got to swim with two humpback whales near enough to touch (but we didn't) for over an hour and they left and returned to our boat for six visits. Thanks again for retrieving my memories for me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887206719100521743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192453388454898290.post-80960540506277072652017-03-09T18:04:34.561-10:002017-03-09T18:04:34.561-10:00Kudos, Great story! I was working for Maui Classi...Kudos, Great story! I was working for Maui Classic Charters on the Aikane and Lavengro out of Malaya Harbor. I took a day off to hike the Iao Valley, before I knew it I was free climbing the needle. I made it to the top, because I couldn't climb down the way I went due to rotten, loose rock and was so relieved to find the low brush on the narrow ridge to wrap myself in to rest for a bit. The false summits were a challenge and there were a couple of old Hemp looking ropes that looked like they had been there for decades. On the summit, I left a copy of Clan of the Cave Bear as my only marker. It seamed appropriate. To get down I climbed down the right side until I came to the slides that led down to the creek at the base of the needle. I free fell between 10 to 15 feet at a time, targeting outcroppings of sparse brush to arrest my fall. The creek was a welcome bath to get replace the mud I borrowed from the needles shoot on the way down. I have looked for 28 years to find someone who has even attempted to climb this majestic peak. When ever I think of my closest face to face with death, it was the day I free climbed the Iao Needle. I would love to share stories with you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887206719100521743noreply@blogger.com