Climing Sokez Rock

Something that I wanted to do since flying past it on the way into Pohnpei is climb Sokez Rock. Every Sunday the Pohnpei hiking club gets together and does hikes ranging from a gentle stroll to something like climbing Sokez. Nic has gone for a few of the gentler hikes but was more than happy to let me out of the house to tackle this one.

Sokez Rock is the big one on the right of this picture.

After meeting at the Rusty Anchor pub we drove to a base of the mountain and walked about a kilometre before starting the climb. That's Sokez Rock right in front of us. It was a great way to warm up for what was ahead.

Some of the local kids laughed it up and followed us for some of the way.

This climb can only be attempted when it hasn't rained for a couple of days; which doesn't happen that often here. The mossy covered rocks get pretty slippery even with the slightest amount of moisture.

It doesn't take too long to get to the 'I need a break' stage. The fact that I had been on a four day drinking binge probably didn't help either.

Elliot is a youngster and made easy work of it. I was wishing that I had been doing yoga for the five years to have a little of that 'youthly flexibility' back.

Once we broke free of the trees we got our first view of the rock. You have got to be bloody kidding me........ I was starting to release why Nic send me on this one.

A view of the neighbouring rock; you can get a better perspective from the first photo. This is for the hardcore rock climbers and rappellers.

Finally at the top with Pohnpei Harbour in the background.

Time for a couple of 'Postcard Pictures'.

One more.....

There is a light tower that comes on at night to warn any aircraft about the rock. Of course if I climbed all the way up the rock I might as well get as high as I could.

Believe it or not the top of the rock is a pineapple plantation farmed by the Sokez villagers at the base of the mountain. I don't think they have too many concerns about pineapples getting stolen.

Climbing up or down you have the option of what to hold on to so that you don't fall to your death. A rusty pipe that carries the electrical wires for the light or a nylon rope with heaps of little plastic splinters.

My 'Mountaineering World' pose.

Yep; it's pretty bloody steep.

It takes a little while longer to come down. Especially once the rain started.

Like any good sporting event it must be celebrated with a victory beer. We stopped at a newly opened bar on Sokez Island and relaxed and celebrated not dieing.

Nothing like a feed of yellowfin sashimi and chips to build the energy levels back up.

It was a great experience, one that has taken me a year to achieve but well worth the wait and the effort. I just have to convince my hamstrings of that and all will be good.