Pali Notches to Kalawahine Trail

Picking up the trail from last week; met up with Ani, Analyn, Chris and Ferlino at the blustery Pali Lookout.

Ready … 1,2,3 … Push. Wait, I’m not ready! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ferlino climbing up the short and steep hill from the lookout.

Catching a view. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Ani making her way down the first notch.

Chris climbing down the second man-made notch.

Some took the high road … Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

… others took the low road. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

The winds were slamming the ridge as Ani watched Chris make his way up. Pay close attention as there will be a test later on. Climbing test. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Try and try again was the theme for today. Good job Ani.

Everybody wanted to warm up the Chimney. Saw a couple guys loitering around the base of the nipple looking at the rotating chimney seat. They soon turned around. Sorry guys. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Photo shoots are over, let’s get back to hiking. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Contouring and climbing up on the thin ledge of loosely packed dirt. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Ani making her way up the last section of crumbly rocks.

Up, up and away on the ridge line. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Looking back at the group making their way along the ridge with stunning mountain and ocean views.

Fragrant, invasive yellow ginger flowers overlooking the mountain and valley views. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Analyn coming up none the worse for wear.

Passing the Piliwale Junction on the way to the summit.

Coca Cola. Sardines. Balut. Kankanen. The basic four food groups for hikers.

Alberto’s group had raced up to the summit to catch up with us. Group photo left to right: Rick, Alberto, Ani, Zach, Analyn, myself, Captain America, Chris and Ferlino.

Still looking for the geodetic marker for K1. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Analyn making her way down the steeply rutted trail from K2. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

The ridge soon leveled off and we found ourselves strolling through fields of bamboo orchid flowers. Flower children at play. Somebody also kept losing their boonie hat.

Get out of the way. She’s gonna fall! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ferlino showing us how it’s done. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Watching Alberto’s group going down Lulumahu Ridge to rappel Waipulani Falls.

Looking down into Manoa with her thick canopied forest and densely urbanized valley.

Instead of taking the trail that winded down the ridge, we decided to go up the higher ridge that was recently cleared by another hiking group.

Looking back at the twin testicles and wondering about Ani’s “friend.”

Strawberry guavas for the picking as we dropped off the ridge.

I always wondered where this trail went. Now I know the rest of the story.

Honorary Filipino … by sweat and jacket … Salamat. No, you can’t have the jacket Ani until you eat that balut. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

The 1,600′ lookout was getting crowded when this guy strolled up playing his ukulele. Live music on the mountains.

Chris going through the bamboo forested trail.

Walking on the boardwalk.

Hanging. Upside down. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

We got off the remaining boardwalk and turned right at the junction.

Tree branches growing from a cut stump in the shadow of a fallen tree.

Church service in the mountains. Every Sunday.

Just hanging out and sitting around.

Analyn checking out from the hunter check in station.

We popped out of the trail near the top of Tantalus. Thanks to Ferlino’s son-in-law, RJ for driving us back to the Pali Lookout.

Our windy hike covered 4.45 miles through saddles, ridges and valleys. Great hike with a fun group. Post hike meal at Chao Phya Thai. The salmon melted in our mouths. The complimentary chocolate mousse in a spoon was on spot. Thanks Ferlino for the delish meal.

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.

Tagged as: chimney, contour, k1, k2, kalawahine trail, konahuanui, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, manoa cliff trail, mud wall, nuuanu saddle, nuuanu valley overlook, pali notches, pauoa flats trail