After our record-breaking long hike last week to the B29 and Oba Trail, this week we decide to visit the Oba Cave itself for those who have never, or have not for a long time, seen the cave. Notice goes out that we will park at Gold's Gym, then go through the park, up to the trail head in China Town for the hike up to the cave, explore, and then double back down. Barring anything unexpected, the hike should be average in length and difficulty.
At 6:30 a.m. Sunday, another record-breaking event: sixteen happy faces show up at the parking lot. A quick head count shows Handy, Cutie, Sherpa-Jane, Sparky, Thor, Ewok, Lee, Dora, Cowboy, Doc, Penny, WonderWoman, PT-Shelly, Chris, Rexplorer, and CC, ready for another fun hike.
Site of our parking at Gold's Gym. Since the gym is not open yet, there is a lot of space. We park on the outside of the main lot. To start the hike, we take a warm up walk through the Sugar King Park, just across from the gym.
A very pleasant and cool stroll takes us up to the Tori Gate in the park. The park is established to memorialize the very successful pre-war production of sugar on Saipan, Rota & Tinian that supplied Japan with sugar, and its founder Haruji Matsue. The park is very well maintained, giving us a chance to enjoy the early morning serenity. Here PT Shelly, Chris, Penny, Handy, and Doc crossing the threshold of the gate.
We climb up the Sugar Hill over a series of winding steps that take us to the east side of the park where a Buddhist Temple is located. The temple is still closed at this hour of the morning. As we circle the temple to the edge of the park, we come to a fence which surrounds the park. Not able to find an opened gate, we decide to climb over the lower portion of the fence.
Rexplorer hops over first, and Ewok offers his service as the human stepping stone. Here Thor propels herself from Ewok's locked palms and steps over the top of the fence. Rexplorer follows through with his helping hands.
It takes three to go over a fence! Ewok is using his muscles to hold up Handy's leg, as Rexplorer is determined to keep Handy steady while he maneuvers his leg over the top. Doc is looking for another spot to cross over.
The last to jump over the fence, Ewok lands on his rump, as Rexplorer, Sherpa-Jane and Sparky give him the applauds he so deserves. A good job well done...
A short walk from the park takes us down the gully where the tail head is. The gully is dry, but very rocky and at times slippery where the green moss covers the rocks. Sparky and Thor slowly negotiate their way up the trail.
As we near the cave, the trail becomes more difficult with hard to manage mini-cliffs. Here PT-Shelly climbs through two big boulders.
Lee climbs up this big rock as Rexplorer helps on the top and Thor helps at the base.
Here is a series of moss-covered rocks to conquer. Dora carefully watches her steps, while Cowboys looks back to make sure Handy is safe.
A steep climb. Small groups of hikers work their way up these tough ascends. Sometimes strength and flexibility are real beneficial for climbing up, and down, these rocks, with careful and firm placement of one's foot each step of the way. Cowboy and Handy are almost at the top, while Penny takes photos from down below, with Doc and Sherpa-Jane waiting in the wing.
A greatly happy and relieved Handy reaches the top of this big rock climb, with the help of Rexplorer and PT Shelly.
Doc lifts his leg for the next step up while Rexplorer offers his hand, and PT offers encouragement.
Handy carefully makes his way up this narrow ridge to reach the next level of this continuously challenging climb. Sherpa-Jane has her hand outstretched to catch Handy in case he slips, while Rexplorer is ready to pull him up. Lee is already up, and WonderWoman keeps an eye on the scene.
Sparky has taken an alternative route up this part of the trail. In fact, the alternative route is the trail to take if we want to avoid the tough climb up the rocks. Sparky is up at the plateau watching Cutie almost reaching the top, while Handy and PTShelly follow.
Rexplorer is pointing at the "easy" trail he and Sparky and Ewok have taken. The first of the Oba cave entrances is near the final climb up the rocks. The main entrance to the cave is further up where a rope is installed for walking up the slope to the cave opening.
The main chamber of the cave is very large. Captain Oba, with his soldiers and more than 200 civilians used many caves around Mt. Tapochau to hide for about 16 months after the fighting was over, until his surrender in December of 1945. This cave has several sub-chambers and appear to be the largest of all the caves, natural or man-made. Cutie, Handy, and Thor give a good perspective of the size of the cave.
This sub-chamber leads to anther entrance/exit. Dora and Cowboy checking out the exit.
After Oba Cave, we cross over the gully to the other side where the trail leading to the B29 is. Rexplorer points out the wide "road" built above this rock wall.
Just below the rock wall, on the slope, is an unexploded shell about 15 inches long.
Another view of the rock wall. While several of us go across to the other side of the trail to explorer, the rest of the group remain on the road to chat and wait.
A mushroom "tree" right next to a foxhole on the slope. A number of foxholes are located on this hill, a sign that Oba's soldiers have probably used them for possible invasion. Although we spot a few caves, but they are small caves that might have been used for storage.
After everyone regroups on the "road", we decide it is a good time to have our snacks. All kinds of goodies are spread out on the tablecloth and in no time the ravenous hikers take good care of the snacks.
Cowboy takes a rest cowboy style.
The whole group turn around and return to the merging trails where the main Oba cave is visible. On the way back, we take the upper trail, thus avoiding the rocky crevices and steep drops that we have taken on the way up. Going down is much faster and easier.
This unique looking mushroom appears on the trail.
Finally a group photo taken at the trail head. Front: Lee, Wonder Woman, Handy, Cowboy, Dora, Penny, CC. Back: Ewok, Sparky, Cutie, Thor, PT Shelly, Chris, Sherpa-Jane, and Doc. Missing: Rexplorer who has left earlier.
A great hike all around. Lots of arm and leg work, lots to see, and lots of chatting. We return to the gym at 10 a.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment