Superbowl Sunday. Hiking funday. I decided to do a short stroll through the mountains today as my usual suspects were either sick or otherwise occupied or otherwise uninterested or otherwise uninformed.
Trailhead
I passed the hunter check in station at the start of the trail off Tantalus Drive. No dogs. No guns. No knives. No check in. No get lost.
Bench with a view
Looking out towards the airport. Cleared to continue on the trail.
Rooted trail
I hoofed it up the trail through the whistling bamboo forest.
Nu’uanu Overlook
The winds were blowing cold and hard at the overlook, giving the Pali Lookout a run for its money. Glad I had my fleece sweater. Arctic conditions. For Hawaii people.
Konahuanui
Top of the mountain to you.
Twin testicles
It does bear a striking resemblance.
Town view
Leaving civilization and all her worries behind.
One hairy ball
Hike to the left. Hike to the right.
K2
Looking at my cluttered view from the lower peak of Konahuanui.
Journey to the top of the mountains
The short ridge that separates the two peaks.
Panoramic view
Enjoying the clear and vog colored view from the highest point on the Ko’olaus. Looking out towards the Northern spine of the Ko’olaus.
Panoramic view
Looking out towards the Southern spine of the Ko’olaus. I enjoyed my tasty Portuguese spam musubi and room temperature water at the summit.
Headed down the mountain
I let gravity do all the work.
Hump day
Approaching the roughly halfway section of the saddle.
Rocky ridge
I put spikes on from this point as the rocks were wet and crumbly. Can’t hurt to have traction on your side.
Contour or climb?
The answer was contour.
Chimney
A Christmas day late and a present short.
Looking back
That was a fast climb down.
Notch
Taking the trail down a notch or two.
Panoramic view
The Pali Highway splitting Nu’uanu Valley down the middle.
Panoramic view
The Windward view of the island.
All pau
Gusty winds and wet rocks helped push me down to the lookout before noon. I mingled with the tourists at the lookout and checked out the views. The mountain views can’t be beat. There was still time to watch the kickoff. Oh wait, where was my ride? Let me just find a nice patch of grass and sun myself as strangers ask me “Where is the Pali hike at?”
GPS Tracks
My Sunday stroll covered 4.96 miles. Enough to get the heart pumping. Thanks to Justin for picking me up and taking me back to my still intact car. Post hike meal at Outback.
Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. I also do not recommend hiking solo as I did on this hike, best to have company on the trails. Mahalo.
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