Posted on: Monday, September 10, 2001

Stranded hikers spend night on trail

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two hikers spent last night on Manana Trail after being stranded by darkness.

The hikers, a young man and a young woman, called 911 on a cell phone and told Honolulu Fire Department rescuers they were high on the trail above Pacific Palisades and unable to find their way down after the sun went down.

The trail is steep and treacherous, especially at night.

HFD Capt. Aaron Young said the pair said they were past the 3.5 mile point on the trail, which put them at a point on the mountain where a helicopter rescue would be dangerous.

"After considering all the factors," Young said, "We determined they were fit and could survive the night, and we would go up first light."

Capt. Richard Soo, HFD spokesman, said night operations are possible and are often conducted when hikers are injured, are going into shock, require medication or are people who are extremely frightened. But, he said, when conditions are dangerous for personnel and equipment, and the hikers are healthy and capable adults, the rescue can be delayed until daybreak.

"They kind of put themselves in an awkward position," Soo said of the hikers.