Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines) to Tripler Summit

Neither clouds nor rain nor wind nor gloom of day will stay these hikers from their slow and steady completion of their appointed saddle. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Thanks to CJ’s brother for dropping Aida, Chris, CJ, Justin, Lilyn, Tessa and myself off at the highway. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Rain showers swept the ridge line as we made our way up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Playing the waiting game. It should pass. Right? Group photo by CJ Mendiola, left to right: myself, Tessa, Lilyn, Chris, CJ, Aida and Justin.

Watching our footing as the rain finally left us. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Social distancing as we approached the witching hour. Comment credit Lilyn Avendano. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Climbing up the backside of the conical shaped rock. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Going down the front side. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Watching everybody else make their way down.

Scrambling up the narrow ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Justin sitting on his perch with a commanding birds eye view of the ridge line. Just don’t stand up. Like somebody.

Everybody getting their photo on the scenic spot while the rock lasts. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Left or right? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Take my picture. Please! Photo by Justin Suga.

Aida climbing her way around the eroded section. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Lilyn skipping on the saddle without a care in the world.

Justin scrambling up the Windward side of the rock face. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Smile for the camera. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Climbing up towards the next obstacle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Chris and Tessa bringing up the rear. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The group hanging out as they discussed their deep thoughts and thought provoking matters at hand.

Watch out for falling rocks. Not to mention the wet ropes and wet rocks. Photo by Justin Suga.

Chris climbing his way up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Is it really that vertical or is it just the camera angle? Enquiring minds want to know. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Lilyn making her way up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Seeking shelter as showers of dirt and rocks were kicked loose by the ones going up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Weep crocodile tears for the wave that is gone, for it shall never return to its native land. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Looking ahead as some of the group had dropped off the ridge line to contour on the grassy Leeward side.

Somebody apparently wanted to climb instead of contour but was talked out of it.

Justin pulling himself up the shifting slope. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn coming up after her minor tumble back down while trying to recover CJ’s spike. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

You put your right foot there. You take your right foot out. You put your right foot there. And you pull yourself up. You do the hokey pokey. And you fall back down. That’s what it’s all about.

I updated my motivational playbook with a simulated golden shower to motivate somebody up a steep and slippery slope. Tony Robbins I am not. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Chris had his own form of motivation. It was more verbal than physical. Earplugs optional.

The elevator service was working overtime today. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Shaken but not stirred. Lilyn force fed Aida at finger point and kept her mind on the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

CJ scrambling up the ridge line and out of the saddle.

Clear views to be had at the summit by all. Sushi and pho what was for lunch. Chris took his leave of us as he had to go home and cook for his sister’s birthday.

The group traversing towards the last summit of the day.

Girls just want to have fun. Boys had to be talked into it.

Going down the long ridge as we saw Chris passing others on his way down the neighboring Moanalua Middle Ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The rest of us coming down the trail that HECO marked. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Marker 12 or bust? We had to recall some of our group to keep the ridge abbreviated. Photo by Justin Suga.

Descending down the mossy and strawberry guava tree lined trail. Photo by Justin Suga.

Some of us had so much mud on our shoes, that worms were right at home.

Which tree? The big tree? Which tree?

Following the pink ribbon that lead us through the overgrowth on the valley floor. Photo by Justin Suga.

We left the overgrown trail for … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

… muddy trails. I don’t know which one is worse. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Exiting the trail at the Moanalua Valley Park where CJ’s son and daughter picked us up. Photo by Justin Suga.

Our protracted saddle hike covered a little over seven miles with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where we enjoyed the outdoor parking lot dining atmosphere.

Note: I have been made aware that 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.

Tagged as: bowman summit, dirty slide, hot wheel tracks, kalihi saddle, kalihi valley, moanalua valley, powerlines trail, puu kahuauli, rock triangle, tabletop, tripler summit, witch's hat