It was time to raise the bar or at least get the juices flowing on today’s hike. Or as somebody put it “get back in the windward ridge game.”

Trailhead

We all met up in Kahana Valley where Matt surprised us with 808 Random Hikers T-shirts that he had made in Korea. Group photo left to right: John, Cisco, myself, Aida, Allison, Ryan, Quan, Enrique, Marilyn, Narissa, Lilyn, Matt and Tessa. Lucky 13.

Kahana Valley

Passing through Hawaii’s only public ahupua’a or subdivision of land.

Trail

Enjoying the wide open and dry trail while it lasted.

Dam

Some of the group took their shoes and socks off so as not to get wet. You guys know there are a couple more stream crossings? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Dam

All swing and no splash.

Trail

Welcome to the jungle.

Trail

Soak, rinse, repeat. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Matt gave an impromptu speech on the importance of promptness and then Chris showed up. The definition of irony.

Trail

Allison looking at True Manana and Two Apes Talking. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Last stream crossing for some of us. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Trail

Somebody was feeling good about themselves. It would not last for long.

Trail

Pushing our way through the patch of uluhe ferns that dominated the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Trail

The group climbing up the first of many hills.

Trail

Verdant valley views behind us. Photo by Allison Banks.

Trail

We could see the saddle for the mountains. Photo by Allison Banks.

Trail

You guys don’t take 5 or 10 minute breaks? Who’s in charge of this hike? Oh, the death marcher. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kahana Saddle

Group photo, left to right: John, Aida, Narissa, Chris, Marilyn, Matt, Cisco, Allison, Quan, Lilyn, myself, Enrique, Tessa and Ryan.

Kahana Saddle

Tessa belting out another rendition of Ms. Lonely.

Trail

Enrique scrambling up the steep hill towards the summit.

Trail

Gaining elevation with each step that we took. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Trail

Lilyn pulling herself up. All those hours in the gym were finally paying off.

Trail

Allison climbing her way to the summit. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pu’u Ohulehule Summit

What’s going on here? A) Matt is slaking his thirst by drinking the water pooling in Ryan’s poncho. or B) Matt is administering a mountain massage with a happy ending.

Pu’u Ohulehule Summit

Photo bombers in the rain. Kahana was living up to its reputation as one of the wettest valleys on the island.

Pu’u Ohulehule Summit

Group photo at the rained out summit. Zero visibility. We sat out the summit as rain saturated the area around us. Ideal conditions for climbing an unknown ridge. Whose ideas was this?

Trail

We waited until the rain clouds blew over and then we separated into the hardy and the foolhardy groups.

Northeast Ridge

Somebody in blue said this ridge is not that bad. Famous last words. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Northeast Ridge

Time to break out the webbing. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Northeast Ridge

Pushing through the woody climbers as we made our way down the ridge. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Northeast Ridge

Descending from the clouds as we had to be mindful of the abundant dead trees and branches that broke off under our grasp. Instead of braking our descent, they could have easily accelerated our descent. Not a good thing.

Northeast Ridge

The ridge became narrower as the views got better with each drop we did. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

Matt climbing as rocks got dislodged with each step. Luckily no rocks were dislodged during my climb down. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

Chris hugging the sliver of a ridge as he climbed his way down.

Northeast Ridge

Somewhere in the mountains, there is elevator service. We also saw the hardy group going down the Northwest ridge from our precarious perch. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Northeast Ridge

Just call me Otis. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Northeast Ridge

The rest of the group waiting their turn to climb down the webbing secured with an existing anchor. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Northeast Ridge

The rolling rocks had rolling rocks on this ridge. They definitely gather no moss here. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Northeast Ridge

Matt checking out the next drop. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

Going down. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

Keeping my distance from the spiked shoes.

Northeast Ridge

Drop after drop. Do we have enough webbing? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

Bye bye. For reference’s sake, I was talking to an inanimate object and not a living person. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

Straddling the skinny ridge. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Northeast Ridge

The rest of us scooted down on our bellies, whereas Chris let his feet do the walking. Perhaps it had something to do with the beer belly. Perhaps not.

Northeast Ridge

Matt lowering himself down using the lip of the rock as an anchor.

Northeast Ridge

It was just a hop, skip and slide for Lilyn. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Northeast Ridge

Contouring and climbing my way up for what passes as a pile of crumbly rocks topped with skinny trees and dry grass.

Northeast Ridge

Tessa making herself comfortable as she hunkers down for the oncoming inclement weather. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Northeast Ridge

We temporarily suspended all climbing as we watched …

Northeast Ridge

… the rain showers slowly march in from the ocean and saturate the ridge and us with its watery cargo.

All clear

Tessa ready to start hiking again after the brief burst of H20. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Northeast Ridge

Matt climbing down the last drop for the day.

Northeast Ridge

Traversing the moss carpeted ridge line punctuated with trees of varying density and depth. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Northeast Ridge

Approaching the Kualoa ridge dominated by the peak of Kanehoalani.

Northeast Ridge

What’s going on here? A) I was so happy to find out that Matt’s test came back negative. Not saying what kind of test it was. or B) We were bucking the stereotypical roles while re-enacting the 2005 movie helmed by Ang Lee.

3 Corners

We took our individual and collective photos at the intersecting spot with sweeping views of the mountains, valleys and ocean.

Trail

Is this the way to the gardens?

Ka’a’awa Valley

Bench with a view. What a view. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Hakipu’u Valley

Bye bye. Inanimate object. I think I can speak for the group when I say that the Northeast ridge is one of the hardest trails we have done in recent memory. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Cow Patty

When you got to go, you got to go. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Jurassic Park

Watching out for droppings from the winged reptile. Who let the animal out? Oh, what long nails you have!

All pau

Where’s the beef? Thanks to Aida, John and Quan for picking us up on the side of the highway. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

GPS Tracks

Our adrenaline adventure that took us over old and new grounds clocked in under six miles. Glad to have done it with this bunch of friends. Thankful that everybody made it down safe, albeit the minor mishap of the out of towner that tumbled down and landed on the skinniest person. Post hike meal at Kenko-ya as the other choices were closed or did not offer dine in service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqR5vE96oOE&t=337s

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our ridge hike.

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.

Joined HTMC for a members only hike that advertised that “our goal is a saddle on the southeast valley rim.” Intrigued by the possibility of a “new hike”, I met up with the waiting members in the outer parking lot of Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Trailhead

The hike coordinator, Caitlin, advised us that this hike was simply a rebranded hike that lead up but not to the summit of Pu’u Ohulehule. She dangled the option of continuing to the summit on our own after the club hike to the saddle ended. After moving our cars further into the valley, we started hiking into the state’s only public ahupua’a that stretches from the top of Pu’u Pauao to Kahana Bay.

Dam

Everybody getting their feet wet at the first stream crossing.

Kahana Stream

Left the Nakoa Trail to ford the second stream teeming with who knows what.

Trail

We crossed two more narrow streams interrupted by a forest filled of lauhala aerial roots and crunchy leaves. The trail soon left the valley floor and began the long incline towards the summit, that was somewhat tempered by the recent clearing.

Trail

Janice and Don, veteran HTMC hikers, coming up the trail. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Kahana Saddle

Group photo left to right: Don, Janice, Caitlin, Lilyn, myself, James, Sonia, Yuchon, Dale and David. There were some stragglers still coming up the ridge that didn’t make the group shot. Six of us decided to continue to the summit, while the rest of the group turned back.

Trail

Lilyn leaving the flat spot on the saddle to begin our short but steep climb to the summit.

Trail

Caitlin pulling herself up the ridge.

‘ie’ie

Bug buffet. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Southeast ridge

Group photo with the ridge behind us that Stuart Ball called “the most dangerous hike on the island.” My suggestion that we hike down that direction was met with a mixture of laughter and dismissal.

Pu’u Ohulehule Summit

The typical photo shot of Pu’u Kanehoalani from the 2,265′ summit.

Trail

What goes up must come back down. Braking our gravity fueled descent with ropes and tree branches.

Northeast ridge

Looking back at the last ridge that we haven’t hiked to the summit of the pyramid peak. On the list.

Swimming hole

Caitlin plunged into the cool waters of Kawa Stream to seek a brief respite from the stifling humidity that hung in the air.

All pau

Should I or shouldn’t I? Plucking the pink ribbons off the tree branches so that the trail can remain in relative obscurity? Our fun in and out hike covered 6.75 miles through streams and steep ridges with spectacular valley views. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory where you can’t have Hawaiian food without chili pepper water.

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.

We managed to coax a 10x veteran from retirement to join us on today’s hike. Met up with Agnes, Anne, Chris, Daryl, Lee and Mia at the beach park. Thanks to Alexis for dropping me off.

Ka’a’awa

The most dangerous start to any hike, crossing the road to get to the other side. Luckily, we made it without incident and it didn’t hurt that we were wearing bright colors.

Trailhead

Group photo left to right: Agnes, Sleepy, Mia, Daryl, Lee, Anne and Chris.

Cemetery Ridge

We skirted the cemetery and made our way up through the hala grove.

Cemetery Ridge

Climbing up the steep, rocky section.

Cemetery Ridge

Lee and Mia standing on Picture Rock, with views of Pu’u Piei and Kahana Valley. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Cemetery Ridge

The ridge widened at certain parts but kept the steady incline.

Cemetery Ridge

Agnes climbing up the moss carpeted ridge using the trees.

Cemetery Ridge

Daryl burrowing through the uluhell overgrowth.

Cemetery Ridge

The ridge leveled off somewhat with cloudy views of our destination to the right.

Cemetery Ridge

The right and wrong way of doing the oppa finger gesture. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Cemetery Ridge

The ridge picked up the pitch as we approached the top.

Turnover

Group photo at the 2,027′ summit of Manamana ridge.

Trail

Agnes plunging ahead into the mud and overgrowth.

Trail

Sitting in Agnes spot. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Lookout

Panoramic view from the 1,900′ spot before dropping down into the saddle.

Trail

Climbing down the steepest section before I realized this was where webbing would have helped. I didn’t even recognize this spot from five years ago.

Trail

Chris lashing his webbing to the rock for the rest of the crew. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Trail

Sweeping view of Kanehoalani, the detached spur mountain range, that sits on Kualoa Ranch.

Trail

Traversing the undulating saddle.

Trail

Mia contouring around a boulder on the narrow ridge. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Puka

Peering into Ka’a’awa Valley. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Trail

Daryl contouring on the Windward side around a knob.

Trail

Passionately psychedelic flowers on the ridge. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Trail

Panoramic view of Pu’u Manamana and True Manamana.

Trail

Heading to the summit that was reportedly first ascended back in 2010. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

True Manamana

Group photo at the roughly 1,530′ summit. What it lacked in elevation, it more than made up for the sweeping views of the valleys, ridges and mountains from our tiny little perch.

True Manamana

The Pepsi Challenge, going strong since 1975. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

True Manamana

This tour helo buzzed us pretty close. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

True Manamana

Trying to bushwhack through the back door. Nobody’s home. Checking out another interesting ridge dropping off Pu’u Ohulehule. Another hike for another day.

True Manamana

Leaving the postage stamp sized summit.

Trail

Making the return trip on the crumbly and jagged ridge.

Puka

How many hikers can you fit into a puka? Apparently only three. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Trail

Making our way out of the saddle.

Trail

Lee climbing her way back up the steep section. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Trail

Pushing our way up through the uluhell overgrowth. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Turnover

Mahalo for the mountain hospitality.

Manamana Ridge

Rainbow sighting off Kahana Bay.

Manamana Ridge

Going down the broad section of the ridge. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Manamana Ridge

It was a magical moment to witness the sunbeams piercing the clouds and bathing Kahana Valley. Photo by Mia Garrison

Manamana Ridge

Passing through the forested section of the ridge.

Manamana Ridge

Climbing our way up the steep, rocky ridge section. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Manamana Ridge

Making our way down towards the pointed and narrow peaks of the ridge.

Manamana Ridge

Mia climbing her way up to join Chris and Daryl at the top.

Manamana Ridge

Looking back at the sun slowly settling down behind the mountain range.

Manamana Ridge

Following the well trodden path on the ridge.

Manamana Ridge

The group negotiating their way down the rock face.

Manamana Ridge

Daryl the praying mantis whisperer.

Manamana Ridge

Chris pointing to one of many interesting curios left behind in the mountains for others to witness.

Manamana Ridge

Descending down towards the Crouching Lion rock formation.

Manamana Ridge

The ridge soon broadened and leveled off as we neared Kahana Bay.

All pau

We made it down to Kam Highway under the cover of darkness. Thanks to Richie for giving us a hop back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our dawn to dusk hike covered 4.46 miles with a super fun group. Agnes can now put this hike back into retirement. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. Segregated by gender. I should’ve ordered the usual Oxtail Soup. Mahalo to Daryl for driving me home.

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.

Stuart Ball called Ohulehule southeast ridge “the most dangerous hike on the island.” While I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that statement, I would say it’s one of the more physically taxing hikes.

Haupoa Street

Aaron, Darren, J, Marvin, Matt, Troy and myself joined Will on his hike today. Matt staged his truck in Kahana Valley and we all met up in Waiahole.

Where do we start?

Right off the bat, there was some confusion as to where the trailhead started.

Found the trail

After finding a passable trail through the forest, we started following this heavily eroded section to the ridge.

Are we on the ridge?

No views yet.

Looking back

Will and Marvin scrambling out of the forest.

Scenic point

The exposed ridge offered views of Hakipu’u Valley, Pu’u Kanehoalani, Mokoli’i and the Moli’i Fishpond (which is one of four original Hawaiian fishponds left extant on Oahu).

Rock climbing

Our first dike on the ridge. One of many to come.

Hanging out

Darren enjoying the views. Pu’u Manamana and True Manamana are visible beyond Pu’u Kanehoalani.

Southeast ridge

The dikes offered a respite from the heavy overgrowth on the ridge.

Not too steep

We just had to watch our step, as there were drops to our right. No drops to our left.

Ridge hiking

The surrounding views made it all worthwhile.

Where’s a weed whacker when you need one?

We had to plunge into heavy ridge overgrowth which plucked my GoPro from my backpack. Lucky for me, that Darren found it hanging on a tree. I still owe him a soda. Yes, I’m cheap.

Panoramic view

The views from this valley have few rivals on this island. Just an opinion. Click here for the larger image.

Rocks are preferable

J climbing down a dike. Much easier than battling the annoying and cloying overgrowth. Shortly after this section, Will and Marvin turned around, as Will was not feeling well. It’s always good to know your limits, I have cut a hike short before due to not feeling well. Better than ending up on the six o’clock news. The mountains will always be there.

Pu’u Ohulehule

The summit was still cloud free. How long would that last?

Clouds moving in

The cloud deck was capping Pu’u Manamana.

Use the tree

This particular dike was a little tricky to get up, a nearby tree served as a stepping stone. Aaron opted for the “pincer” hold.

Getting steeper

The ridge started to get steeper as we approached the summit. As we contoured on the Leeward side, the old adage about not trusting ropes, rang false. Matt was holding onto a tree when it gave way and the only thing that kept Matt from plunging down was the rope in his other hand.

Panoramic view

The valleys of Ka’a’awa and Hakipu’u split by Pu’u Kanehoalani. Click here for the larger image.

Windward view

Looking back at the ridge we had come from. This route used to be on the HTMC schedule, until legal access became an issue. Stricken from the hike list.

Boulder fun

We contoured to the right of a large boulder that was blocking the trail. Photo by Aaron Toma.

Pushing up

Now the fun part. Not really. The rest of the climb was at a steep pitch that involved pulling yourself up. Ropes helped. Considerably.

Almost there

More uphill climbing.

Summit view

J was the first to summit Pu’u Ohulehule and was rewarded with a clear view of the valleys. Click here for the larger image. Photo by Francis Joy.

Cloudy summit

This is the view that the rest of us got. Group photo left to right: Matt, Darren, Troy, Aaron, myself and J.

Going down

Going down northwest ridge, the traditional route to Pu’u Ohulehule. The initial descent was somewhat steep, but soon slackened off.

Dangerous trail

Hmm, I’m glad we’re going the other way. Maybe this was the section that the two Danish girls got stuck back in 1999. They spent an amazing eight days on this ridge before HTMC members found them.

Cloudy peak

Looking back at the 2,265′ summit wrapped in clouds.

Panoramic view

Looking left to right: Pu’u Piei, Pu’u Manamana and Pu’u Kanehoalani. Click here for the larger image.

Can you smell what the rocks are cooking?

Close up view of True Manamana and Two Apes Talking rock formation.

Kahana Valley

As we made our way down to the valley, the rain started.

Say Ahhh!

Troy ran out of water, so Mother Nature helped him out.

Fern country

Uluhe ferns seem to have colonized most of the trails.

Stream crossing

The group taking a break at the first stream crossing. Troy helped himself to free water.

Where’s the dragon?

Awhile back, this area was burnt by fire. It left behind a blackened tree that looks like a dragon. Can’t see the dragon for the trees.

Follow the ribbons

Troy about to cross the second stream. Still only ankle high.

Stroll in the forest

The thick canopy of trees filtered much of the sunlight that reached the valley floor.

Shrinkage

Water level was waist high at the third stream crossing. Ice cold.

Nakoa Trail

Left? Right? Straight!

Dam crossing

There was a rope hanging near the dam. Matt was the only swinger today.

Road out

Marvin and Will met us at the end and ferried us to our cars. What? No ice cold drinks waiting for us?

GPS Tracks

The hike was only 5.52 miles, but as Aaron put it “You earned every inch of it.” Great hike with familiar faces that I haven’t seen in awhile. Post hike meal was at El Mariachi in Kaneohe. BYOB.

Only had time for a quick hike today. Mokoli’i Island or Chinaman’s Hat as it is more commonly known fit the bill.

Getting ready

I met Jasmin at Kualoa Regional Park, which was crowded with weekend campers. We managed to launch the kayak in the water without flipping ourselves in the process. Always an accomplishment in my book.

Prepare to land

The waters were a little choppy and the current kept us making corrections to make sure we landed on the island. As we got closer, we could see several kayaks already on the beach and people on top of the island.

Pu’u Kanehoalani

Roughly 15 minutes later, we found ourselves on Chinaman’s Hat. Looking out towards the impressive Pu’u Kanehoalani which sits on Kualoa Ranch.

Panoramic view from the top

It was a quick 10-15 minute walk to the top. From the 210′ elevation, we could see the Ko’olau Mountain Range, Pu’u Ohulehule and Pu’u Kanehoalani. Quite a treat. Click here for the larger image.

Swimmers

We saw swimmers, SUP and more kayaks approaching the island. Guess this place gets a lot of traffic. The island is owned by the City & County and is open from dawn to dusk.

Cove

Looking down at the small cove on the northern side of the island.

Rain shower

The swimmers came ashore on the island just in time to catch a rain shower moving in from the ocean.

Mauka view

Looking towards the mountains.

Makai view

Looking towards the ocean.

Looking towards Kaneohe

Climbed down to get a better view of the island. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Looking back towards Kualoa

A different view of the island.

Rock climbing

Small kine rock climbing on the Kaneohe ocean side of the island. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Kayaking away

Leaving Chinaman’s Hat. It was fun.

GPS Tracks

Round trip mileage including kayaking and exploring the island was a whopping one mile. Short and sweet. Almost makes me want to buy a kayak. Next island to visit: Gilligan’s Island!