Clawing to the Mt. Kaala cliff that windy March day
of 1994, listening to the goats laughing in the mountains, and nearly blind,
I considered how I arrived in this precarious situation.
That morning, I left Waimanalo, excited to show off
my brand new "Ultra Lite" eyeglasses to my friends.
Considering my minus 8 vision, I never thought I could have such a
light pair. Little did I know
how unreliable they really were!
Climbing the narrow ridge, the wind grew stronger.
Suddenly, a strong gust blew one friend off the trail.
I suggested we turn back; they refused.
I decided I was safer going back alone.
Hiking down, another gust literally snatched my eyeglasses with it!
Unable to see, I proceeded cautiously down the
mountain until I had to negotiate a 20 foot cliff. Halfway down, I was stuck!
Unable to go back up, my arms and legs were spread eagle across this
precipice! My face
centimeters from the cliff, I perceived an army of ants aiming for my hands
and nose! I had no choice, I
had to jump! Blindly, I leaped,
without breaking a bone! Once
home, I returned to my old, heavy pair of eyeglasses.