Chris and I did an abbreviated tour of the Ko’olau Mountains this weekend. Thank you Mother Nature.

Trail

Mahalo to Ferlino for dropping us off at the bulging eye to start our hike.

Sunrise

Looking back at the sun breaking over the horizon.

Christmas

The holiday spirit has worn out its welcome in the mountains.

Hang Ten

No hang gliding today. Photo by Chris Bautista.

LTE

Brushing past the fenced communications tower, failed to notice if we had five bars.

Saddle

Dropping down into the saddle, we noticed that the rope grinches absconded with the webbing that used to drape down the hill.

Rainbow

Looking out at the optical illusion arcing over Olomana.

Kamiloiki Summit

Stopping briefly in the shade and shadows of the pine trees.

Tom-Tom

Leaving the forested ridge line as we broke out into the open trail that was thankfully still being chilled by the trade winds.

Trail

Making our way over the crumbly and rocky section of the ridge line.

Trail

Back in the forest. Little too chilly now.

Mariner’s Summit

Lunch spot at the summit that KS/BE would like the public to forget.

Misty Mountains

Watching the clouds slowly swirl and drift over the Ko’olau Mountains.

Hahaione Pyramid

Pushing onto the triangular rock that becomes more defined depending on your point of view.

Picture Frame

Worth a thousand words?

Trail

Making our way to the strangely silent eroded hill.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Patience has its virtue. We were rewarded with a couple hikers that eventually joined us at the top and were kind enough to take our picture.

Pu’u O Kona

Leaving the 2,200′ flat topped summit empty handed. No stellar Windward views today.

Trail

Making our way to the wet and windy 2,520′ knob of Hawaii Loa. Continuing the pattern of no views.

Wiliwilinui Summit

We spotted a solitary figure bearing gifts.

Camp Wiliwilinui

Four is company. Thanks to Ani and Cisco for bringing us food and water to our windy spot for the night.

Camp Wiliwilinui

Catching the breaking sunrise the next morning. Was this going to be a positive omen for our hike? Fat chance.

Trail

Making our way down the roped trail towards the power lines that straddle the valleys.

Big Hill

Dropping down the steep hill from the summit of Pu’u Kainawa’aunui.

Trail

Rutting our way on the trail. Eat your heart out MMR!

Ka’au Crater

Approaching the twin power lines that mark one of three tuff cones on the island.

Ka’au Crater

Enjoying the tasty pork jerky on the trail at one of the few views we got on the hike.

Mount Olympus

Climbing up to the denuded summit of Awaawaloa. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Thirsty?

The only question we had was it to slake the thirst of a hungry human or a machine?

Trail

Cloudy views from the contour trail before we rejoined the ridge line. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Manoa Middle Summit

We both prayed for the sun to come out and play. Nobody was listening.

Trail

Hitting the hills.

Trail

The last push up to K2, where we were greeted with more rain. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Konahuanui Summit

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Weather patterns and bad feelings overrode the original plan to descend down to the Pali Lookout.

Piliwale

Making our way down the relatively easier Windward ridge.

Piliwale

Hiking into the void.

Piliwale

Webbing in all the wrong places. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Notch

Dropping down to the incision in the ridge line that marked the end of the steep descent.

Notch

Chris looking back at our slippery slide down.

Maunawili Trail

We made it down the whole ridge without seeing any of those infamous bees, guess it was too wet and windy for them. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trail

Popping out of the trail before passing the power lines on our way out.

All pau

The end of the road for us as Chris changed into his dry clothes and I remained in my wet clothes, for lack of dry clothes. Mahalo to Lopaka for picking us up and giving me a ride in the bed of his truck, while Chris got to ride in the cab due to his slightly less offensive odors.

GPS Tracks

Our 13.5 mile hike in wintry (for Hawaii) conditions ended prematurely, but grateful for the good company. Post hike meal at Ferlino’s house where we enjoyed multiple servings of Anne’s ono oxtail soup. Thanks to Jasmin and Mia for rounding out the eating crew. Pile on that extra cilantro and green onions!

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.

I met up with Justin and Thessa to hike a ridge pioneered by Silver Piliwale, a renown hiker known for his legendary treks through the mountains.

Maunawili Trail

A short cardio puff up the trail as we were treated to a view of Olomana being backlit by the morning sun.

Piliwale Ridge

Just a little over 2,300′ separated us from the top of the mountains. Let’s start hiking.

Piliwale Ridge

Something new. Reading material. #4 – We have at least seven hours of daylight. We are good to go.

Piliwale Ridge

Justin and Thessa by the notch.

Piliwale Ridge

Come on over. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Piliwale Ridge

#2 – Justin putting his shoes spikes to good use as he traverses past the notch.

Piliwale Ridge

Splash of color on the ridge. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Piliwale Ridge

#6 – Justin using his gloves to get in touch with some rocks.

Piliwale Ridge

Panoramic view of the Windward side.

Piliwale Ridge

Somebody actually laid webbing near the base that runs up the ridge and stops just shy of the junction. Props to whomever took the time and expense to do this.

Piliwale Ridge

Justin looking for those hot bees.

Piliwale Ridge

#1 – Weather looking good. But don’t call me Guy Hagi.

Piliwale Ridge

#5 – Thessa coming up the ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Piliwale Ridge

We don’t need rope where we’re going. Just lots of uki grass will do. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Piliwale Junction

Group photo by Justin Hirako where the two ridges meet.

KSRT

It was just a hop, skip, and a jump to the highest point on the Ko’olau Range.

KSRT

Group photo by Justin Hirako on top of Konahuanui – large testicles in Hawaiian.

KSRT

Looking out towards the other “testicle.”

KSRT

Looking back at the other “testicle.”

KSRT

Group photo by Justin Hirako on K2.

Konahuanui Trail

Panoramic view of the Leeward side.

Konahuanui Trail

Making our way down the trail.

Konahuanui Trail

I had a sudden urge to cough.

Konahuanui Trail

Something tells me that HTMC has been here.

Nu’uanu Overlook

Group photo by Justin Hirako. Watch out for those boomerang branches.

Aihualama Trail

Walking down into Na Ala Hele country.

Aihualama Trail

Climbed a ridge. Might as well climb a tree too. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Aihualama Trail

Take the pretzel. Going to need it. Tons of switchbacks ahead. Reminded me of Kuli’ou’ou and Kealia Trails. Not a big fan.

Aihualama Trail

Banyan trees = tree houses.

Manoa Falls

A trickle of a fall. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Manoa Falls Trail

Traffic on the trail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

All pau

One should always stretch after a hike. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

GPS Tracks

Our short hike over the mountains covered 5.92 miles. Not a bad way to spend the day. We popped into the snack shop to see if there was anything tasty to try on our way out, but ended up walking out because nobody would take that “special” picture. Post hike meal at Steak Rave. A hole in the wall. Seating was limited.

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.

Not a fan of hiking the same trail twice, Olomana to be specific. I asked Chris to show us the backdoor way to Anamolo or reverse Olomana, as he knows the route quite well.

Trailhead

We staged cars at the traditional start of Olomana on Auloa Road in Kailua. Then we drove into Waimanalo and parked on Waikupanaha Street, where further down the street Bumpy Kanahele and his Nation of Hawaii community lives on the 45 acres they got after their 1993 occupation of Makapu’u Beach. Group photo by Matt Vidaurri. Standing left to right: Bob, Chris, myself, Jasmin, Hiram and Matt. Sitting left to right: Rey and Brian.

Junction

Instead of taking the traditional Maunawili Demonstration Trail, we took the right at the junction to continue our hike.

Exposed roots

One can either run very fast over this section or gingerly pick their way across the eroded and exposed roots.

Makai view

Brian enjoying the makai (ocean) view after we broke out of the forest and onto the ridgeline.

Mauka view

Bob checking out what’s for breakfast at the Nation of Hawaii’s community, as we saw smoke going up into the sky. Could have been burning trash or smoking a pig.

Hello there!

The rest of the crew making their way up.

Ahiki

Looking at the backside of Ahiki, the third peak. Olomana is actually the name of the first peak, with Paku’i being the name of the second peak.

Let the fun begin

Arriving at the base of Ahiki. It was a couple of weeks since I’ve done any rock climbing, so it was fun scheduled all day.

To rope or not to rope?

There are ropes on some sections of all three peaks. Depending on your skill level and confidence, use them sparingly or none at all. What matters is being safe as you should test out all ropes before using them and even then, don’t rely on them 100% if possible. Because you never know when these ropes will give on you. It’s not a matter of if, just when.

You’re almost there!

The buzzing bees kept us company as we waited for the rest of the crew.

That pesky ladder

I chose not to use the ladder as we made the final push to the top of Ahiki.

Top of Ahiki

We all signed the guest book at the top. Time to get a new book as people are writing on top of other people’s comments.

Guess what we are supposed to be?

Give up? It was Matt’s idea to mimic Shiva, the Hindu deity that has four arms. We had, umm, 16 arms.

That rock looks fun

Coming down from Ahiki, I noticed a rock pillar. What could that possibly be used for?

Giving it the old college try

Who needs VRG (Volcanic Rock Gym) when you have the great outdoors? However, no soft mats to break your fall, unless trees count. Photos by Brian Leano.

Small rock, good view

Photo by Brian Leano.

How do I get down?

The hardest part of rock climbing is going back down. As Brian asked me, “Why do you put yourself in these situations?” I still don’t have the answer. Photo by Bob Tyson.

Climbing down to the keyhole

Bob climbing down to the keyhole rock formation. Another one to climb! I still don’t have the answer.

Top of the keyhole

I wasn’t about to do any yoga poses on top of the keyhole. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

The keyhole is now open

The rest of the crew making their way down to the keyhole. Now we were seeing more hikers coming and going. Olomana actually sees a lot of traffic, most go to the first peak and turn around. Not many go further to the third and final peak.

Leaving Ahiki behind

Bob climbing up to the second peak, Paku’i.

Steps to Olomana

Brian walking over the natural rock steps that leads from Paku’i to Olomana.

Butterfly Bob

As we waited for the rest of the crew at Olomana, I decided to photograph the fluttering butterflies that were around us. None would sit still for me. Bob then called me over as one landed on his hand and stayed there for several solid minutes! Bob has good sweat and odor or something!

Top of Olomana

The highest of the three peaks at 1,644′ elevation and the best in terms of sightseeing conditions.

Cover yourself! Have you no shame?

Chris had ripped his shorts earlier in the hike and luckily was not commando today. I know the feeling as I’ve ripped my pants in larger fashion and still continue to hike in them. I have no shame!

Pine needle break

Waiting for the rest of the crew to catch up.

All pau!

Last group photo at the traditional start of Olomana.

GPS Tracks

The 3.88 mile hike was a nice fun day with good company.