Nu’uanu Pali to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

Back in the saddle again with Katie and Lilyn. Thanks to Quan for dropping us off at the deserted lookout. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Climbing up the short and steep hill under the cover of darkness.

Only one of us got illuminated, the rest of us had to stay in the shadows. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

We contoured around the towering rock edifice and scrambled our way up the flank of the ridge that was littered with blowdowns and crumbly rocks. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Catching the fiery sunrise at the top.

Dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Panoramic view of the saddle and Windward views.

Did you get the video of me slipping off the rock? Yes, I got it. Photo by Katie Bingham. No video by Katie Bingham.

Katie contouring as she didn’t want any videos.

Climbing up the steep and crumbly ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Katie coming up the ridge line with Pali Notches and Olomana in the background.

You want me to take that picture? Why? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Katie cresting at the top of the ridge as clouds started to roll in our way.

The clouds have arrived. Photo by Katie Bingham.

The clouds breaking up at the lower elevations, which gave a surreal vibe to the mountains.

Top of the ridge line with views of Nu’uanu Reservoir in the background. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Going straight up and over?

Perched on the 23rd letter of the alphabet. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The girls coming down the tallest and skinniest of the rock faces.

Dropping off the super crumbly ridge line. It’s just a matter of time before it gives way. Photo by Katie Bingham.

You can use the footholds on your right or just slide straight down. Whatever is the easiest.

Katie pulling herself back up to the ridge line.

The struggle was real. It was a short and exhausting climb up the eroded section.

Making our way to the halfway mark. Photo by Katie Bingham.

It was a surprisingly clear day on the summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Going up the last false peak before dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Following the curvature of the ridge line. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Scooting our way down the saddle.

Straddling the serpentine mound of crumbly dirt that was barely holding itself together. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Standing on a barren spot of ridge with jaw dropping views at our feet. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Treading carefully around the constantly crumbling pile of rocks that passes for a ridge.

Coming down the steep flank of the ridge. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Going down the second tier of the wall. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Contouring below the Can Opener.

Iconic group shot with the saddle and points beyond in the background. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The girls climbing down the unstable ledges.

Making our way down to the colorfully named obstacles. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The girls scrambling down from the steep section.

Human anchor at your service. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn checking out the biggest obstacle on the saddle short of the wall, while Katie contoured her way around the swollen spit of rock.

Rope? We don’t need rope where we’re going. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Katie pulling herself up just before a piece of the rock face that she was using as her foothold decided to fall off. A heart stopping moment to say the least.

Kicking back. Photo by Katie Bingham.

The photographer taking a picture of the photographer taking a picture of me. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The girls traversing between the two hills.

Perched on the arch. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Coming down from the last hill and over the blowdowns blocking the ridge line.

Panoramic view of the saddle and Windward views. Never gets old. Maybe it will one day. But not today.

Hikers in different elevations on the ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

How do you split two packages of mama ramen amongst three hikers? Use two containers and share. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

We spent a long lunch break on the mountains and then had to move again. It was harder for some than others.

Hiking on the edge. Literally. Don’t look down if you have vertigo. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Katie contouring off the ridge line to avoid the particularly steep top section.

The girls climbing down the dorsal shaped rock.

Approaching the powerlines that marked the terminus of our hike. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Coming down the HECO approved trail.

Is anybody home? Are the lights on? Photo by Katie Bingham.

We left the valley with the moon not wanting to come out and play. Thanks to Quan for picking us up and taking us to our post hike meal.

Our saddle hike covered a little more than three miles, while it fell short of its original destination, it was still an amazing hike with good friends.

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: anvil, bunny ears, can opener, dirt dragon, doorstop, incisor rock, kalihi saddle, lanihuli summit, lanihuli wall, nuuanu saddle, pali lookout, pali puka, pimple, powerlines, shark fin, w