Pali Puka to Kalihi Saddle (Power Lines)

by kenji SAITO on March 27, 2016

Hiking Pali Puka to Kalihi Saddle ( Powerlines )

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?

Trailhead

Trailhead

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

Scramble

Scramble

Thessa coming up the short, steep and sweet hill.

Good Morning

Good Morning

We caught the sun breaking over the Windward side.

Pali pinnacle

Pali pinnacle

Approaching the Pali Puka.

Pali Puka

Pali Puka

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

Contour

Contour

Chris coming up the contour around the pinnacle.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Back on the saddle again.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back at the clear summit of Konahuanui.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris scrambling up the ridge.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Silhouette hikers.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris and Ryan contouring around a “toothy” rock.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Minor rock scrambling. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Panoramic view of the Windward side.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Left? Right? Upside your head.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

The crew contouring around the “W.”

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

My point of view.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris giving us the “W.”

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

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

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris about to come down from the anvil rock.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Justin making his way down. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris contouring around the ridge.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back. What a view.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Almost there.

Lanihuli Summit

Lanihuli Summit

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

Lanihuli

Lanihuli

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

Lanihuli

Lanihuli

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.

Lanihuli

Lanihuli

Disappearing from their view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Panoramic view.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan coming down the mountain.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

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

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Some sections were a tad crumbly.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Descending down Lanihuli Wall.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

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

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan contouring around the ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Coming down from the Can Opener.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

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

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris coming up the Pimple.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Perhaps we will find the chocolate eggs between those ears?

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan traversing the Bunny Ears.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris coming down the last Bunny Ear.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Looking out towards the lush and verdant Kalihi Valley.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan making their way down Sharks Fin.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris got to break in his new webbing.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

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

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down into the valley floor.

All pau

All pau

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!

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

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.

Leave a Comment

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Thessa May 9, 2016 at 7:21 pm

You are so funny ????… Enjoyed reading the blog! You forgot to include photo of the hot coco ????????????

Reply

kenji SAITO May 9, 2016 at 7:45 pm

Are you asking or telling me that I’m funny? Haha. Thanks again for coming on the hike.

Reply

Thessa May 9, 2016 at 8:46 pm

Those ???? are actually emojis.

Reply

Justin May 14, 2016 at 3:49 pm

I’ll be sure to have plenty of piping hot cocoas waiting for you next time :)

Reply

kenji SAITO May 14, 2016 at 5:55 pm

I’ll keep that in mind when we come down and it’s cold, dark, wet and windy!

Reply

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