Pali Puka to Wilson Tunnels

Over 20,000 people were participating in the 36th Great Aloha Run today, while the three of us decided to spend it in the mountains. Thanks to Ivy for dropping Barry, Krissy and myself off at the Pali Lookout to start our hike.

We started from the deserted Pali Lookout and made the short and steep climb up to the Pali Puka, which we skipped and contoured around the imposing rock edifice.

Krissy climbing up the flank of the ridge that were littered with blowdowns.

We soon gained the ridge line and started our hike on the crumbly saddle.

Leaving the breaking sunrise over Olomana behind us.

Passing the tree that was bent by the gusty winds. As long as it didn’t bend us.

Barry about to climb around the tooth shaped rock. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer

To climb or to contour?

Barry making his way down the crumbly rocks. One rock at a time.

Looking ahead to the cloud soaked Donkey Kong.

Barry hanging off the side of the cliff looking for the trail.

Climbing up the sliver of a letter. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Question of the day. Who is Mario and who is Donkey Kong?

The winds were blowing something fierce as we climbed down.

Barry dropping down from the lost puka of the Pali.

The contour trail after the anvil has eroded to almost nothing. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Pushing our way through the thimble berry thorny bushes on our way back to the ridge line.

Barry climbing up the severely eroded section of the saddle that was once easily climbed.

Hikers in the mist.

We took a short break in the swirling heavens.

Leaving the summit behind us to go down another saddle.

Dropping from the summit where the clouds soon cleared to reveal the Windward views. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Barry taking advantage of the woody climbers that carpeted the crumbly ridge line.

The dragon that Krissy slayed. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Taking our leave of the crumbly and rotten rocks. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Sliding and scooting was the par for today’s hike.

Barry staying focused on the ridge and not so much the views. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

We left the ridge line to scoot our way down the grassy flank.

Going down one at a time to avoid raining rocks. Not a good forecast for hikers. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Barry making his way down the longest tier of the wall.

The iconic view of the can opener framed by the backdrop of Stairway to Heaven.

Contouring our way back to the ridge line.

Semi-group photo with Kalihi Saddle and points beyond.

Leaving our crumbly break spot.

Approaching the start of our colorful climb up all the different rock faces. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Contouring around the crumbly rock face. Don’t pop the pimple.

Barry climbing up the biggest rock face on the saddle. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Climbing down one ear …

… and going up the other one. Photo by Barry Lau.

It was still safe to be hiking on the dorsal shaped ridge line. The bark was worse than the bite.

Looking at Heaven in the distance, our original destination. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Are we there yet?

We soon saw the powerlines that marked the end of our hike. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Climbing down to take a break where somebody had to roll over to get back up. It doesn’t pay to sit for too long.

Getting off the mountain and back to civilization. While we didn’t get a medal and T-shirt, we did get good company and fresh air. Not a bad deal. Photo by Krissy Eizenhoefer.

Thanks to Ivy for picking us up on the wrong side of the road.

Barry paid his nickel fee for the saddle hike which slowly put me on the road to financial independence. Post hike meal at Pampanga Kitchen where I was finally able to sample their Filipino food that I had heard so much about. It did not disappoint.

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, donkey kong, doorstop, kalihi saddle, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, lanihuli summit, lanihuli wall, nuuanu saddle, pali puka, pimple, puu incisor, sharks fin, w