Editor at Everup
Community
Screenshot: Dell

Screenshot: Dell


The Inertia

As legend has it, in ancient times, the valley of Ua Pou stood flush with large columns, living in whatever harmony resides among peaceful columns. One day, a new column arrived, Matafenua from Hiva Oa. Soon, Matafenua towered above the Ua Pou, having beaten down the natives of the valley — a destroyer which stood alone.

However, this reign would not last. Shortly thereafter, the region birthed a native son named Poumaka. Opening its eyes, Poumaka did not wake to the harmony of its peaceful forebearers, but rather saw the death and destruction.

“Who killed these columns?” asked Poumaka.

“It is Matafenua,” responded one of few survivors.

Poumaka grew up remembering the name of the brash and ruthless conquerer who had ruined the valley of Ua Pou. Upon becoming a strong warrior, he set out to avenge his ancestors.

Arriving on Hiva Oa, an enraged Poumaka beat down any columns that stood in his path, the first being Kukiu. Matafenua had taken refuge in East of Hiva Oa and hid on the opposite side of the island from where Poumaka landed. However, after Kiukiu, Poumaka turned attention to Matafenua, finding the destroyer of Ua Pou in the East of  Hiva Oa and exacted his long-awaited revenge. Poumaka knocked Matafenua down and cut off his enemy’s head, attaching it to his own loincloth to bring back to Ua Pou as a reminder.

Pou-3

Screenshot: Goal Zero

Today, the reminder is still there, a hill off to the side of the enchanting spire. And whether you find meaning in lore or choose it better to ignore, Poumaka is a most beautiful symbol of the rugged yet ethereal beauty that inhabits our natural world — daunting and powerful and inspiring all the same. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it attracts the attention from the likes of Mike Libecki and Angie Payne, who recently teamed up to climb the south face of the 3,264-foot tower in French Polynesia.

Screenshot: Goal Zero

Screenshot: Goal Zero

Joined by filmmakers Andy Mann and Keith Ladzinksi of 3 Strings Productions, the documentation of the physical and emotional tolls the expedition had were extreme to say the least. Aorrential downpour with wind whipping at the spire caused for nearly unclimbable conditions with mud covered rock a worthy and dangerous adversary. In the worst stretch of climbing, Payne even found herself in tears.

Nonetheless, the two pushed through for what ultimately proved to be an epic ascent.

Screenshot: Dell

Screenshot: Dell

According to a report by Climbing.com: “It took the team eight days to complete the 5.11 A3+ JM (Jungle Mayhem) route, which they named for their friend and guide Kau Kau:Te Va Anui O Kau Kau’aka(“In Honor of Kau Kau”). Libecki relied heavily on thin aid, including a couple of dozen beaks (tiny hook-like pitons). ‘One of the pitches got an A4 rating, though I later pulled it down to A3+,’ Libecki said. ‘I think the rain, mud, and being constantly soaked added to the sense of difficulty.'”

As you might expect, Libecki and Payne wore their exhaustion through a smile.

Pou-4

Screenshot: Dell

The crew put together two videos reflecting on the journey. One retells the story from packing in to moving out…

…while the other is a more focused edit on the days surrounding the actual ascent of the spire.

This was truly “immaculate jungle mayhem.”

For more on this ascent of Poumaka, head on over to 3stringspro.com.

 
Newsletter

Only the best. We promise.

Contribute

Join our community of contributors.

Apply