Pali to Manoa Middle

The winds were forecasted to be blowing hard this weekend. What shall we do? Let’s go climb the chimney and finish off somebody’s saddle boot camp, as they put it.

Somebody woke up late, so others took the extra time on their hands to pursue recreational activities.

Thanks to Lilia and Quan for dropping Aileen, Art, Chico, Chris, Jen, Mona, Tessa, and myself off at the windy scenic lookout.

Are we here to pick or to hike?

Making our way up the rooted hill in the tree line.

Jen climbing down the first of two man-made notches. Believe it or not.

The winds were blowing stiff and hard through the mountain pass. Strong enough to snatch a cap off your head and twist you on the rope.

Tessa climbing down to the notch where British canons were emplaced by the warriors of King Kalanikupule who were defending Oahu from the invading army of King Kamehameha that had sailed from the Big Island.

The group making their way to descend the second and biggest notch.

I resisted the urge to lean back for the gram.

In 1795, King Kamehameha’s warriors climbed down from the peak of Konahuanui and surprised and disabled the canons set in these notches.

We soon noticed two young kids had joined us at the top of the second notch waiting their turn.

The group climbing up the needle of basaltic rock.

Mona making her way up.

The two kids contoured around the nipple to avoid our logjam, one shed his shoes and then they both scampered up the chimney.

Viewpoint from the Nipple.

Try, try again.

With a little help from my friends.

Aileen enjoying the moment. Then again, I’m not good at reading people’s body language.

Getting my upper body workout today. Going to cancel my 24 hour membership when I get home.

Chris providing pointers on climbing up the rockface.

No assistance required at this time.

Did you push the elevator button to the top?

Changing up my vantage point. My butt was getting sore.

Deja vu.

Do you feel Chris breathing down your neck?

The last haul.

Art was his own elevator service.

Chico recording the action as it unfolds on his GoPro for posterity’s sake.

Chris going up the near vertical climb.

Climbing queue.

The group contouring and climbing over some boulders.

Chico stretching his thigh muscles coming down. Maybe even his back muscles as well.

Walking the ridge line.

To climb or contour the boulder?

Somebody climbed the boulder to finish their “saddle boot camp.” Certificate is in the mail. Postage due.

Waiting our turn to go up the mud wall or as of late, the mud steps.

Looking down at the yellow bird of HFD rescue a tourist from themselves.

Tessa arriving at the junction for the Windward ridge that was named after a legendary hiker named Silver Piliwale.

Hiking to what I was sure would be a cloud soaked summit.

I was gladly proven wrong as we took our group photo at the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

Traversing between the two large testicles.

No pillow. No problem.

A mixture of shake and peace signs at the second highest summit.

Somebody left a spanking brand new webbing to use. What a thoughtful individual.

Chris against the dramatic backdrop of the fluted ridges of the mountains.

The group going through one of the multiple meadows that dot the ridge line.

Mona going down an old and tired rope.

Chico going off trail in a patch of uluhe ferns.

Making our way to our last summit of the day. A far cry and throw from the original planned one.

Arthritic gang signs at the summit?

We had our last lunch break before heading down to the valley. Fresh salad pickings were had for the plucking and the five second rule doesn’t apply in the mountains, well for certain individuals at least.

The lush valley being swept with passing showers on our way down.

Passing through a stretch of invasive strawberry guava trees. Tasty trail snacks.

Descending through a forest of some of the fastest growing plants on Earth.

Climbing down the steepest section of the trail.

Scrambling up the short and steep hill.

Walking our way out on the trail studded with roots, rocks and mud. I was so over it.

The license plate has been blurred to protect the guilty. Thanks to Chris and Quan for giving us rides back to Kaneohe.

Our saddle hike covered 4.35 miles with windy conditions tempered by scenic views with a fun group. Congratulations to Aileen for finishing all three saddles on the KST. Post hike meal at Chico’s house where Lilia made us chili mac and the fixings and dessert.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Art Young, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Jen Odence, Mona Guillermo, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Tagged as: chimney, contour, k1, k2, konahuanui, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, manoa middle summit, manoa middle trail, nuuanu saddle, pali lookout, pali notches