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We started at Mangrove Bay. Thanks to Kumer and Antonia Panuelo for welcoming us. First to arrive were Rey, Isabel, Joer and Emma. |
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Just after 9 am, the group started the climb up to the main road. The weather cooperated. |
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Crossing the causeway to Sokeh's Island, the marchers began to climb to Pohndollap, also known as Sokeh's Ridge. |
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Just above Sokeh's Municipal Government building, Emma and Helen were shaded by some of Pohnpei's magnficent banana trees |
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Joer posed at the switchback. Thankfully Pohnpei's volcanic origin gives it some refuge from rising ocean levels. |
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A brief rest to enjoy the view and snap a few photos before the steepest part of the climb. |
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Marchers went at their own pace and stopped often to chat and enjoy the views. Helen, Allain & Philip were tackling the steepest part of the road. |
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Once at the top, the trail turned north and followed the ridge to the highest point, Pohndollap at 276 meters. Lorikeets chittered away in the canopy. |
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Breadfruit lined the trail and were covered in fruit. Their beautiful leaves are impressive. |
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At Pohndollap's peak there are cell phone towers and old WWII installations and a view of Pohnpei's fragile reef and a large tuna trans-shipment fleet. |
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Iconic Sokeh's Rock was actually below us. |
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Our marchers (except two): Helen, Yenti, Philip, Allain, Leslie, Emma, Rey, Ray, Isabel & Joer. |
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Mark & Denise were our other marchers, bringing us to a total of twelve. |
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Allain, an oceanographer and Philip, a sailor |
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Family portrait: Joer, Emma, Rey & Isabel. Emma and Rey are Math Science faculty at the College of Micronesia. |
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Yenti & Ray. Yenti is a mathematician who also teaches at COMFSM. |
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Here we are: Philip & Leslie. Leslie was a microbiologist. |
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Our participants signed their names on our poster before turning around and heading back downhill. We had a multi-national crowd representing China, Canada, the Philippines and the US. A few gentle rain showers reminded us we were in Pohnpei. |
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