Rob took Ryan and myself to hike and rappel at least 10 drops on a route called Straight Shooter. Well, I heard 10 drops. I’m sticking with that story.

Trailhead

We parked in the nearby residential area and walked to the Ma’akua Ridge Trailhead. Have helmet, will hike. Hot head.

Ma’akua Ridge Trail

Cooler heads soon prevailed.

Ma’akua Ridge Trail

We switch backed to the bench to snatch a quick view before heading up the ridge.

Papali Ridge Trail

The overgrowth in the form of the ubiquitious uluhe ferns, increased as we made our way up …

Papali Ridge Trail

… and down the ridge.

Papali Ridge Trail

Looking back at the coastal views of Laie and Hau’ula.

Papali Ridge Trail

Ryan making his way to the junction.

Papali Ridge Trail

A mixture of heat, humidity and rain kept us company on the ridge. Photo by Ryan Meyer.

Papali Ridge Trail

Panoramic view by Ryan Meyer.

Papali Ridge Trail

Ryan checking his GPS to make sure we are heading towards the right ridge.

Straight Shooter

Off we go.

Straight Shooter

It’s somewhere down there.

Pot Head

I don’t recall if it was endemic, invasive, medicinal or recreational.

Straight Shooter

Rob making his way off the ridge.

Straight Shooter

Are we having fun yet?

Straight Shooter

Steep drops ahead.

Straight Shooter

We had to climb down the ridge through thick swaths of uluhe ferns, fallen trees, loose rocks and dirt. In short, we made our own trail.

Straight Shooter

What trail? Rob up to his ears in uluhell.

Straight Shooter

We did more burrowing through the overgrowth than hiking.

Straight Shooter

Where there is water …

Straight Shooter

… there is a stream …

Single Shot

… that leads to a waterfall.

Single Shot

Ryan rock hopping down the stream.

Mountain Apples

We had choke trail snacks, all within easy picking reach. Couldn’t ask for more. Except nine more drops.

Single Shot

Looking for the next drop.

Single Shot

That’s not it.

Single Shot

The further down stream we hiked, the more we realized that perhaps the drops had run dry.

Single Shot

Ryan scouted up the hill and found a trail. We decided to call it a day.

Ma’akua Ridge Trail

What a luxury. Wide open trail.

Ma’akua Ridge Trail

Hmmm, to boulder or not to boulder?

Ma’akua Ridge Trail

I still had energy from my nine unused drops to knock out my 22 pushups challenge. Video by Ryan Meyer.

Ma’akua Ridge Trail

Rob and Ryan climbing out from the embankment.

All pau

The trail or lack of a trail was punishing and taxing, mentally and physically. It was a brutal hike in terms of the bushwhacking involved. No lie. We drove to Pounders, where Rob and Ryan dove into the inviting ocean to wash the dirt and grime from the numerous trail inflicted cuts and scratches. I left to pick up Chris and his group from another hike. What a day.

Postscript: I’m sure most hikers have heard of leptospirosis. The bacterial disease that results in a raft of physical ailments and is usually contracted from exposure to pig piss in streams. We had noticed evidence of feral pigs in the area through signs of rooting and poop on the trail and in the stream. Ryan found out weeks later that he had contracted the infectious disease from his numerous cuts/scratches and wading in the stream. Luckily, he made a full recovery. Just a humbling reminder to take the threat seriously when hiking out there. Cover up your exposed extremities as much as possible, especially if you will be hiking through thick overgrowth areas, avoid if possible wading in streams and walking along paths with evidence of feral pig activity and always sterilize your water before drinking.

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.