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.

Rob invited Ryan L, Ryan M and myself to learn the ropes. Down a waterfall. We met deep in Palolo Valley. Early hikers get the parking.

Trailhead

Down the rabbit hole.

Familiar faces

We ran into Khym and Marvin on the trail.

Wai’oma’o Stream

Rob and Ryan crossing Wai’oma’o stream. Ryan donned his surfing helmet in case a good swell came crashing down from the marsh above us.

Trail

We passed a couple hikers enjoying the idyllic stream in the lush forest.

Trail

Following the water pipe to gain elevation.

Trail

The last of a handful of stream crossings.

Trail

Safe to take the helmet off now.

Ka’au Crater Falls #1

Looking down at the 60′ waterfall.

Rapelling

Rob tossing down the rope. Anchor. Biner block. Belay loop. ATS device. Locking biner. On rappel?

Rapelling

Rob went down first.

Rapelling

My turn. Hey, where is my helmet? Photos by Khym Ansagay.

Rapelling

Walking down next to a waterfall. Cool and refreshing at the same time.

Rapelling

Ryan M’s turn. Photos by Ryan Leano.

Ice cold pool

At least Ryan had a wetsuit on. The rest of us had to shiver and chatter our teeth.

Rapelling

Ryan L’s turn.

All pau

It was so much fun, thanks again to Rob for showing us the ropes. Talk of doing the second waterfall was dashed by the time and cold. Next stop – Climb Aloha. One day.

Got an invite to rappel Manoa Falls from Rob and Katy. Never visited Manoa Falls. Never rappelled a waterfall. Double check.

Water Iris

Jose and I waited for the rest of the crew which included Katy, Madeline, Orrin, Reuben and Rob to show up; so we spent our time swatting away mosquitoes and taking a survey about koa forests. Old or new? Old.

Trailhead

We shared the trail with a steady stream of tourists and locals.

Trees

The trail was shaded by a lush forest of eucalyptus, bamboo, guava and banyan trees.

Manoa Falls

After less than a mile, we reached the base of the 150′ falls. Orrin and Rob made their way through the crowds and plunged into the pool to cool off.

Up the trail

We left the popular watering hole and continued up a side trail.

Climbing

The trail turned quickly from horizontal to near vertical.

Top of Waterfall #1

Looking out to Manoa Valley. No crowds up here.

Waterfall #2

We picked up the trail to the right of the falls.

More climbing

More vertical climbing up rocks and tree roots. One tree even had a boulder stuck in the branches.

Going down

Madeline climbing down a roped section. One at a time.

Going back up

Jose climbing up a rock face.

Waterfall #3

We continued the trail to the left of the falls.

Bushwhacking

Good to have an arborist on the hike. Hand saw doesn’t hurt either in helping to clear the trail.

Top of fall #4

Katy and Orrin setting up the rope for the first rappel of the day.

Cast away

Katy throwing the rope over the falls.

Rapelling down

Madeline following Katy down the falls.

Does that look right?

I got recalled from the edge to make sure my ATC was set up correctly. Better safe than sorry.

See you at the bottom

After everything checked out, I rappelled down my first 30′ waterfall.

Next

Reuben making his way down.

Making it look easy

Katy rapelling down.

Rapelling up

Rob making his way back up the waterfall with the aid of an ascender.

Hanging by a rope

Orrin was the last one down using the double rope rappel.

Setting up

Rob and Orrin setting up the next rappel.

Practice makes perfect

Still need more practice. Lots of practice. Photo by Orrin Nakanelua.

Waterfall #3

Jose making his way down to the base of the third 50′ waterfall. The pool was waist deep and cold. Ice cold.

Last waterfall

The guava tree was solid. No worries.

Slippery when wet

Tabis helped to “walk” down the waterfall.

Coming down

Rapelling down the 70′ waterfall. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Two selfies for the price of one

Group photo left to right: Reuben, Katy, Rob, Madeline, Orrin, myself and Jose.

Look both ways

Which GoPro to look at? So many choices.

Skip the trail

Talk of rapelling off the main waterfalls was quickly replaced by rapelling off a tree. Just as fun.

No hands

Orrin lowered me down. He did all the work. I was just along for the ride. Mahalo.

Root down

Jose rapelling down the trail.

Back on the main trail

Thanks to roping down the trail, we were back on the valley floor in two shakes. Aihualama Trail? Another hike for another day.

Manoa forest

Headed back to our cars through the primordial looking forest, guess that’s why they shot some scenes of Jurassic Park here.

Ice cream!

Orrin warming up for his next wedding gig.

GPS Tracks

The hike into the falls and up the falls and down the falls covered a short 2.18 miles. I will never look at a waterfall the same way again! Thanks again to Rob and Katy for the rapelling invite. I may even get my own harness!