Pali Puka to Kalihi Saddle (Power Lines)

Chris, Justin, Ryan, Thessa and myself spent Easter in the mountains looking for the mythical rabbit that leaves the chocolate eggs. Or was it the hiker that poops the plastic eggs?

Nobody but us hikers and chickens at the lookout. Early hikers get the adobo?

Thessa coming up the short, steep and sweet hill.

We caught the sun breaking over the Windward side.

Approaching the Pali Puka.

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Ryan, myself, Thessa, Chris and Justin.

Chris coming up the contour around the pinnacle.

Back on the saddle again.

Looking back at the clear summit of Konahuanui.

The hotline went unanswered, so we continued our climb to Puu Suicido.

Chris scrambling up the ridge.

Silhouette hikers.

Chris and Ryan contouring around a “toothy” rock.

Justin and Thessa making their way over the ridge. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Minor rock scrambling. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Soaking in the views and taking a break. Multi-tasking hiking. Photo by Justin Hirako.

The sun was shining on our sweaty faces and the clouds were dancing over the Ko’olaus. Nice day to be outside.

Give me a X. Give me a Y. Give me a Z.

Climbing up to the “W.” Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Panoramic view of the Windward side.

Left? Right? Upside your head.

The crew contouring around the “W.”

Thessa’s point of view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

My point of view.

Chris giving us the “W.”

Chris and Ryan approaching the long lost Puka of the Pali. Photo by Justin Hirako

Chris about to come down from the anvil rock.

Justin making his way down. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Chris contouring around the ridge.

Looking back. What a view.

Almost there.

Group photo by Justin Hirako at the 2,700′ summit. Clear views to be had by all.

Halfway there. We munched on our lunch and picked up where we left off. Well some of us picked up.

Looking back at Justin and Thessa who decided to go down the Alewa Ridge Trail and pick us up on the other side. With cups of steaming hot cocoas. Topped with an expletive.

Disappearing from their view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Panoramic view.

Chris and Ryan coming down the mountain.

Dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Riding the dirt dragon, or what’s left of it. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Some sections were a tad crumbly.

Descending down Lanihuli Wall.

Uki grass is your friend. Repeat many times. Hold many times.

Chris and Ryan contouring around the ridge.

Coming down from the Can Opener.

Pimple. Doorstop. Bunny Ears. Sharks Fin. Colorful names for crumbly rocks.

Chris coming up the Pimple.

Perhaps we will find the chocolate eggs between those ears?

Chris and Ryan traversing the Bunny Ears.

Chris coming down the last Bunny Ear.

Looking out towards the lush and verdant Kalihi Valley.

Chris and Ryan making their way down Sharks Fin.

Almost there.

Chris got to break in his new webbing.

Chris and Ryan approaching the power lines and our way down.

Dropping down into the valley floor.

We walked out to the highway and waited for Justin and Thessa to pick us up. Our ride came with benefits. Slushy Icees! Expletive taken back!

Our saddle hike covered 3.19 miles with a great crew. Post hike meal at Au’s Garden. Is that a discount? No. Let me adjust and give you the full price. Gee thanks.

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: anvil rock, bunny ears, can opener, dirt dragon, doorstop, kalihi saddle, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, lanihuli, nuuanu saddle, pali lookout, pali puka, pimple, power lines, puu suicido, sharks fin, w