it means "big mountain"

 Last weekend, three other volunteers, ten or so local guides, thirteen dogs, and I began our journey from Salapwuk, Kitti to the top of the tallest mountain in the FSM - Nahnalaud.  The first day was spent hiking over grueling mountains, through swift rivers, and across long expanses of muddy jungle.  We spent the night under a rock overhang facing the peak of Nahnalaud and enjoyed deer, pigeon, and chickens caught by the pack of dogs or shot out of the sky with rifles.  We woke up early the next morning and after waiting for the rain to clear, began our hike straight up to the summit.  Using our hands just as much as our legs to pull us up the steep face, we finally arrived at the top where we were engulfed in clouds.  Twice, the clouds briefly gave way to allow us a stunning view of the Kitti lagoon, but we were otherwise lost in a sea of mist.  Instead of returning via the same path, we departed Nahnalaud from the other side of the mountain and lost track of any definable trail.  Bushwhacking with machetes, our guides led us over a jungle of decomposition towards our starting point in Salapwuk.  Our steps were uncertain as we trudged through knee deep mud, rocks covered in slime, logs eaten apart by months of rot, holes in the ground disguised by leaves, and prickly vegetation that left our legs scratched, bruised, and sore.  It was one of the most strenuous hikes I've ever been on, but also one of the most rewarding.  Due to camera issues, I was not able to get as many pictures as I would have liked, but you can check out Mike Hilbert's blog if you want to see some more.

Looking over the edge of one of the waterfalls on the Six Waterfall Hike I wrote about earlier this year.

Standing at the top of the heart-shaped waterfall at the end of the Six Waterfall Hike.

Matt, a former WorldTeach volunteer who joined us on the hike.  This river snakes several miles through Kitti and later becomes the river in the mangroves from which we launch our boats.

Taking a break for lunch during the first day of hiking.  Mike, Andrew, and Matt are filling up on a healthy dose of deer that the pack of dogs managed to bring down.  Tropical deer tastes more like chicken or dog than it does like the venison we are used to in the U.S.

Setting up camp under the rock overhang where we spent the night.  The cave is decorated with graffiti from teenagers who make the rite of passage to the summit of Nahnalaud.

Mike looking out from the cave toward the hazy summit of Nahnalaud in the distance.

I didn't get any good pictures from the summit of Nahnalaud but this is a great view North from one of the smaller peaks neighboring Nahnalaud.  Kolonia is just barely visible in the distance.

A panoramic view from our bird's nest looking North.  The peak of Nahnalaud is behind us to the right.