16.12 Mauna Kea, a return to the 'White Mountain', perhaps the best hiking experience.
Today being Sunday, we were not in San Diego for the burial of a dear friend, Robyn Lichter’s beloved mother, Essie Katzenellenbogen—a person we will sadly miss, a woman of spirit and always with a twinkle in her eye. G-d bless your soul, Essie. A struggle from the beginning, the early stages of a strenuous climb in a harsh but magnificent environment. The first two thousand feet hits one quickly, the rest just as fast. Looking towards peak after 6 miles, nearly 3 miles still to walk. We returned to this glorious volcano/mountain after being turned away on Thursday because of high winds. We had warned our editor about our diets but would she listen. The velocity had ‘subsided’ from the eighties to the fifties (m.p.h.) so the trail was re-opened. We knew we had a tough hike ahead of us but thought whatever happens: This one’s dedicated to Essie so we dare not fail. The route gains more than 4,500 feet, over 8.5 miles on rough terrain. It never seems to let up. ...