Our goal today was the Swirling Heavens of Lanihuli, but we had to settle for the crackling power lines instead. Photo by Yoly Bedford.
Commando Trail
Mahalo to Jasmin for dropping Bill, Chris, Ferlino, Yoly and myself off on the side of the highway where we then plunged into the forest flatlands.
Commando Trail
We got turned around a bit in the canopied forest as the ribbons soon vanished and then we found these carved tree markings which helped us to get back on track.
Commando Trail
Once we got to the “wallaby” rocks, we were within sweating distance of the spur ridge.
Commando Trail
Thrashing our way up the uluhe infested ridge line.
Commando Trail
Passing underneath a tree bent by the hand of mother nature or man. Photo by Chris Bautista
Bowman Trail
Approaching the “face” of Bowman.
Bowman Trail
Making our way up the steep switch backs. Photo by Chris Bautista
Bowman Trail
Catching the ridge, valley and ocean views as far as the eye can see.
Bowman Bog
Approaching the wetland that sits on top of Pu’u Kahuauli.
Bowman Bog
One of several spiderwebs scattered throughout the trees, that seemed to be collecting more dew drops than insects. Photo by Chris Bautista
Bowman Bog
If you’re not careful as well, the sucking mud plucks shoes from unsuspecting hikers feet.
Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)
Cresting the top of the ridge line as we began our descent down into the saddle.
KSRT
Collecting our group together before we headed down the crumbly and narrow ridge line. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Kalihi Saddle
Bill getting his first taste of the saddle life.
Dirty Slide
Ferlino going down a rope that has been secured to a dead tree for who knows how long. The power of faith. Photo by Chris Bautista.
Kalihi Saddle
Contouring our way back to the ridge line as Bill checked his fitbit to see if he made his daily step count.
Broken Wave
You do know I have 50 pounds over you?
Rock Triangle
Yoly climbing down the Leeward side of the first rock triangle.
Kalihi Saddle
Impromptu group photo on the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista
Kalihi Saddle
Making our way over a denuded section of the ridge line.
Rock Triangle
Bill climbing down the Windward side of the second rock triangle.
Kalihi Saddle
Ferlino and Yoly going over one of several humps on the ridge line during our descent. Photo by Chris Bautista
Tabletop
Are we having fun yet? Can we go home already?
Kalihi Saddle
Look ma! No hands. Photo by Chris Bautista
Kalihi Saddle
Looking back at our steep descent from the top of Bowman.
Paraglider photobomber
Random trail observation. Does the para glider and hiker wish to trade places at this particular moment in time?
Kalihi Saddle
Scrambling our way down to the dip before the last main obstacle on the ridge line.
Kalihi Saddle
Back for the views. Photo by Bill Yogi
Witch’s Hat
We are contouring that, right? There is no contour. Flashbacks from another hike where somebody kept asking me that.
Witch’s Hat
Climbing up the front side. Not as bad as it looks.
Mavic 2
Bill didn’t just carry 32 ounces on his back for nothing. Some thing was flying off the mountain.
Witch’s Hat
Drone photo by Bill Yogi, left to right: Chris, Bill, Yoly, myself and Ferlino.
Witch’s Hat
Climbing down the backside of Witch’s Hat, which was named by legendary hiker Pete Cline.
Kalihi Saddle
Leaving all the hard parts behind us.
Powerlines Trail
Attempted to check out the HECO power lines and then thought better of it. Photo by Yoly Bedford.
All pau
Our taste of the saddle hike ended up prematurely cut, but everybody had fun. I think everybody had fun. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up again. Post hike meal at Chao Phya Thai. Family style. Photo by Yoly Bedford.
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.
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