Met up with Lopaka and Sean at the Pali Lookout, Chris was running fashionably late.
Trailhead
Catching the breaking sunrise over the mountains, filtered by the clouds. No morning woody spotted.
Trail
We caught up with a couple that was on their way to the popular hole in the mountain. We talked story with them until Chris caught up with us.
Pali Puka
Hello from the other side. Group photo left to right: Sean, myself, Chris and Lopaka.
Slippery when wet
Making our way up the steep flank cobbled with stones of varying degrees of traction.
Nu’uanu Saddle
Looking ahead to the imposing mountain top that the Hawaiians called “Swirling Heavens.”
Nu’uanu Saddle
Time to mix cardio and climbing together on this crumbly ridge.
Pu’u Suicido
Silhouetted shadows providing temporary shade to Sean. Photo by Chris Bautista.
Incisor Rock
Sean swinging his way up and around the toothy rock.
Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)
Hiking on the ridge line with the sun on our backs and the trade winds in our faces, or at least that’s the way I would like to have remembered the day.
KSRT
Somebody soon found themselves between a rock and a hard place. They chose wisely.
Donkey Kong
Scrambling our way towards the most recognizable of the rock formations populating the ridge line.
Nu’uanu Saddle
Looking back at the unusually clear summit of Konahuanui, the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range.
Nu’uanu Reservoir
Lopaka taking the “high road” coming down the side of the hill. What’s life without a challenge thrown your way every now and then? I believe it’s called character building or something that’s not fit to print.
W
Contouring and climbing our way over the triple diked formation.
Steeple
Standing and sitting high above the clouds or so it seems.
Anvil
Dropping off the ridge line to contour around the badly eroded “lost puka of the pali.” Photo by Chris Bautista.
KSRT
Back on the ridge line.
KSRT
Looking ahead to Pu’u Lanihuli that had clouds seemingly swirling towards her summit. Living up to her name.
Lanihuli
Laying eggs is hard work, as one needs a solid nap to recover. Photo by Sean Bingham.
KSRT
Leaving the 2,700′ summit as the day was still young and the breathing still labored.
Heaven
One particular mountain top was swirling in heavenly clouds. Quite the sight.
KSRT
Making our way down from the mountain.
Dirt Dragon
I knew I had one more in me. Just had to push it out. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.
Kalihi Saddle
Looking ahead to the ridge line that dominates Windward commuter driving.
Lanihuli Wall
See you at the bottom.
Lanihuli Wall
Making our way down the steep, grassy flank. Photo by Chris Bautista
Lanihuli Wall
One more drop to go. Photo by Sean Bingham
Contour
Lopaka making his way back to the ridge line.
Got eggs?
Happy Easter from Kalihi Saddle.
Can Opener
Leaving the base of the Can Opener, where it looked like a huge chunk of rock is about to take a tumble from the mountain.
Kalihi Saddle
Time to get in some more climbing time. Photo by Chris Bautista.
Pimple
Lopaka contouring around the naked rock after he popped the pimple.
Doorstop
Climbing up the wedge shaped rock. Photo by Chris Bautista.
Bunny Ears
Looking for the Easter Bunny. In all the wrong places. Photo by Sean Bingham.
Kalihi Saddle
Sometimes, you just have to stop on the saddle and check out the views.
Shark’s Fin
Climbing down from the triangular shaped rock.
KSRT
Almost there. Photo by Sean Bingham
Kalihi Saddle
Panoramic view of the ridge line and the Windward coast.
Powerlines
Our last group photo before dropping down into the valley of miniature macropods.
All pau
Tee time anybody? Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up from our hike. Fun hike with a great bunch of guys. Post hike meal at Lilihia Bakery. Forget the baked goods, we came for some butt swishing soup. Well, some of us did.
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.
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