My husband has a passion for hiking.
Climbing to the top of a mountain is not my idea of fun, but I was recently duped into going on an “easy trail.”
“How long is it? What if it rains? Why can’t we go to the beach or to a movie?” I grudgingly asked, dreading the thought of a daylong journey trudging up to one of Oahu’s summits.
He assured me that Kuliouou Ridge Trail was considered a beginner’s trek and that it would be a family-friendly, fun way to get active and healthy.
Two minutes into the hike, I was already huffing and puffing.
Most people love the fresh air, beautiful scenery, seclusion. But long, arduous journeys just don’t appeal to me. After several hours — and several strenuous hills — I was not a happy hiker.
“Are we almost there?” I repeatedly asked sweat-drenched mountain climbers as they marched toward us down the hill, a look of victory in their eyes.
Yeah, I’m out of shape, a few (ahem) pounds overweight and significantly less active in adulthood, but I do love nature and being outdoors. I enjoy spending quality time with my family doing something that’s free.
But navigating through branches, up rocky paths and steep hills and across high ridgelines is not how I like to spend my days off “relaxing.” Not to mention I’m afraid of heights. (Most of the hikes my husband enjoys involve a cliff!) Add two bouncy children into the mix and I’m a paranoid wreck.
This “easy hike” in particular was exhausting. The trail takes about four hours — though it seemed like eight — and was only about five miles, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
But the zigzagging path to the ridgeline made the journey much more difficult, especially since I wasn’t expecting tough terrain. And the stairs, have mercy, the stairs. There seemed to be hundreds of them before reaching the pinnacle. Apparently, they were carved into the steepest part of the mountain to help slow erosion and make the trail safer.
“When we get to the top, it’ll all be worth it,” my husband said as I grew more irate with each step.
Even though I had complained all the way up and down — and all the way home for that matter — the view from the top was indeed breathtaking. I was too nervous to fully enjoy it at the time as I clung to my children nearly 1,800 feet above sea level. I was exhausted and sore and all I could think about was how long it would take to get back down.
Marriage takes compromise, sacrifice and meeting your other half halfway. In my view, that means the mountain should have been half as high.
But sometimes the loved ones in your life are there to motivate (or aggravate) you to conquer the mountains you wouldn’t have tackled otherwise. After the pain wore off, I did feel accomplished. And I have beautiful pictures that prove I was there, even if reluctantly.
“She Speaks” is a weekly column by the women writers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Reach Kristen Consillio at kconsillio@staradvertiser.com.
