Hiker dies after 200-foot fall off Crouching Lion Trail
Puu Manamana Trail, also known as Crouching Lion, in Windward Oahu.
A 22-year-old woman died today after plunging 200 feet off Puu Manamana Trail in Kaaawa, Honolulu firefighters said.
Firefighters were dispatched to a hiker in distress about 4:50 p.m. after a hiking party of three lost contact with one of its members on the trail also known as Crouching Lion, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. David Jenkins.
The hikers said the woman had fallen about 200 feet and landed in an area where she could no longer be seen.
Firefighters searched by helicopter along the cliff face and found the woman at 5:25 p.m. Firefighters rappelled down to her by 5:39 p.m. and found her unconscious with no pulse and not breathing, Jenkins said. Firefighters flew her to Swanzy Beach Park and transferred her to Emergency Medical Services personnel who pronounced her dead at 5:57 p.m.
The popular trail is known to be dangerous. In June 2013, a 23-year-old woman died after falling 300 feet off the trail.
29 responses to “Hiker dies after 200-foot fall off Crouching Lion Trail”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Yes, it was the most dangerous hike I ever did; teeth chattering.
Prayers and condolences for her parents and family.
So sad. May God Bless.
What’s sad is that the team of hikers felt they could do their own thing and lost sight of this one. The hike is basically a step ladder but if you slip up on a 100 ft step ladder it doesn’t end well. I’ve run up and down that one many times, while very safe, you have to watch every step and every hand hold.
RUN????
RIP. I am so sorry that they started out way too late to do this hike.
Never do this hike without rope secured between hikers and use sure footing with hand holds before moving. This is Oahu’s most dangerous trail. It is reckless and irresponsible to put the lives of rescue personnel at risk by not using rope and not hiking with someone who has prior experience with this trail. Shame on those who were with this poor woman that got suckered in to this hike.
Never do this hike without rope secured between hikers- So if one goes they all go?
ALWAYS USE ROPE and secured footing – that way if one goes they all don’t go. Please educate yourself before doing this hike or any other where the risk of falling is prevalent.
agree
Why, why, why do young women risk their lives by hiking on dangerous trails which are even more dangerous with the recent heavy rains?
It’s because of this very thing, risk which equates to challenges. Bravado also my have been involved. Conquered the most difficult trail in Hawaii?
The power of Social Media, and the Selfie that needs to be posted. It makes people do some not so smart things. It happens all over the place. RIP
That’s my guess too. The need to brag on social media and hope people admire them.
cojef, littleyobo and ryan – you don’t know so stfu!! A mother lost a daughter that was just starting her adult professional life! Don’t speculate and act like you all know everything cuz you don’t. If it’s too much to ask then let’s meet up so I can show you what I do know as fact!
just stating a fact. and yes, i do know the parties involved. and if you do, condolences to you too. RIP K.C.
Many say you are not LIVING unless you challenge yourself and your limits.
The rush of danger can be the ultimate thrill.
For those who have sky-dived, repelled, skied, raced a car……the thrill of the risk is what it is all about.
My deepest ALOHA to her ohana.
“unconscious with no pulse and not breathing” is an odd way of putting it.
My guess is fire personnel are not legally able to declare someone “dead” so they have to pass the body to a doctor or EMS who can then make the pronouncement.
Heartfelt condolences to the family.
Even a novice trail like the Aiea loop has drop offs. We stick to Moanalua trail staying in the valley and it’s shady
I just stay at home and play x-box, super safe…
Except for those thumb calluses.
How much do you weigh?
Risk takers enjoy the adrenaline rush. Much like speeding in your new sports car or meeting secretly with a married person it heightens the feel good emotions. But you have to realize the consequences. Condolences.
But unlike speeding, the hikers only endanger themselves. Speeders risk the lives of innocent people too.
Yes but when they die so young they leave behind grieving families that may never fully recover from the shock of losing a loved one so suddenly. There is a huge impact and all risk takers must realize there are consequences not just to you but others. Aloha.
“Most dangerous trail” is kind of a tossup call. I’ve been up to Kaau Crater many times and there have been occasions where I came down the ridgetop (busting my way painfully through head-high uluhe) rather than risk the descent down the slippery cliff trail next to the falls.