Moanalua Powerlines to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

by kenji SAITO on August 20, 2017

Hiking Moanalua Powerlines to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

Met up with Alexis, Ani, Analyn, Chris, Ferlino and Lopaka at Moanalua Valley to get back in the saddle.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Swallowed up by the towering California grass and the inkiness of the early morning.

Moanalua Powerline Ridge

Moanalua Powerline Ridge

Going up the streambed without a hiking stick, we finally found the ridge and starting making our way up.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Looking back at the sun slowly eating the shadows. Nom nom.

Moanalua Powerline Ridge

Moanalua Powerline Ridge

Making our way to the power lines.

Tripler Ridge

Tripler Ridge

Following the rope to the summit, where we met a couple other hikers that had made it from the Tripler trail.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

I think we are being photographically segregated at the top. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Pushing our way through the moss wrapped trees.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal situation. Especially on a skinny ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Clear on the left. Cracked in the middle. Cloudy on the right.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Ferlino contouring his way pass the crumbly section. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Alexis crawling around a boulder solidly anchored in the dirt.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Lopaka rounding the eroded corner.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Okay, who wants to go next? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Watch out below. I’m coming down!

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Look mom, only one hand and one leg! Don’t try this on the mountains, boys and girls. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Rope was only being used for photographic purposes. Right? Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way down past the broken wave.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Somebody was yelling “I live for this sh*t!”

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Analyn watching Lopaka climb his way down. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Ferlino at the end of his webbing.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Slip sliding down the ridge. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Back to bipedal hiking.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Hold onto your hat!

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Straddling the saddle. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Taking the Windward way down. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Chris making his way down as the wind was whipping the webbing something fierce.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Scooting and straddling. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Crawl, scoot, straddle or walk. Pick your poison.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Somebody needs to get with the program. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group coming down tabletop rock.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Straddle, walk, straddle, walk, walk, walk. The sequence was not being followed.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Single file shuffling. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

The gusty winds were kicking all sorts of loose plant life in the air, like this floating leaf.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Everybody wanted a picture on this rock. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group approaching the last obstacle on the ridge.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Sizing up the hat. 7 3/4. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Waiting their turn. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Now if we all had brought broomsticks, the wind could carry us away. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Everybody making their way down the back of Witch’s Hat.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Celebrating the end (almost) of our hike by unfurling the flag.

Powerlines

Powerlines

Pop quiz in the mountains, what is Alexis doing to Analyn?
a) trying to slap a mosquito on her butt.
b) deflecting her flatulence towards the group.
c) applying medical tape to her butt.

Powerlines

Powerlines

It was a day of firsts for Alexis. First time doing Kalihi Saddle. First time eating a spam musubi.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Rain showers brought slippery conditions to the stone steps. Pop goes the ankle.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Mahalo to Ferlino for carrying Alexis’s bag and tripod for walking it out.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

When a rain jacket just isn’t enough.

All pau

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking our group of soggy hikers up on the side of Likelike Highway.

Post hike meal

Post hike meal

Fun hike that covered 6.48 miles through ridges and valleys, with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Cattle Company. When ones hunger pangs override the need for pressing medical attention. Group photo left to right: Chris, myself, Ferlino, Jasmin, Alexis, Ani, Lopaka and Analyn. Thanks Ferlino for the meal. Hit the spot.

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.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Lopaka March 5, 2018 at 12:34 pm

Ahh this was a fun day, thanks for the fun times ????

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kenji SAITO March 7, 2018 at 9:08 am

Aloha Lopaka,
Thanks for coming out with us. Yah it was fun times, right?
Mahalo

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