We paid a visit to Nature’s climbing gym on the West side today. Outdoors. Free. Can’t beat it.

Waianae Valley

Thanks to Leander for dropping Marilyn, Quan and myself off in the valley of broken glass, stripped cars and running dogs.

Waianae Valley

We pounded the pavement for a thankfully short time before hitting the trail punctuated with ponds of taro and patches of the pungent bitter melon leaves.

Waianae Valley

Pushing up the short and steep firebreak trail.

Kawiwi Ridge

Standing at the foot of the spur ridge overlooking the coastal valleys. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Kawiwi Ridge

Making our way up the rock encrusted ridge smothered with dry grass and stunted trees.

Kawiwi Ridge

Climbing and contouring our way up. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kawiwi Ridge

The breezy conditions made the stepping stones an exercise of balance and keeping ones center of gravity low.

Kawiwi Ridge

Start from the bottom …

Kawiwi Ridge

… and end up at the top. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kawiwi Ridge

Which way to go? Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kawiwi Ridge

Climbing our way to the top. Almost there!

Kawiwi Ridge

Are we climbing that? Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Kawiwi Ridge

Circumventing the crack.

Kawiwi Ridge

Group photo at the overgrown summit.

Ridge

Gateway to more climbing and views.

Ridge

Did I say more climbing?

Ridge

Narrow ridge ahead. Keep your hands inside at all times during the ride. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Ridge

Looking back as Quan and Marilyn made their way over the narrow ridge with steep drop offs.

Ridge

It was just a matter of time before we hit the fence line.

Ridge

Climbing, crawling and scooting their way over the jumbled rocks.

Ridge

Where’s the flag? Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Ridge

Contouring around the narrow ledge.

Ridge

Threading our way carefully through the cacti plants. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

No Name Summit

Group photo at the unclaimed peak.

Ridge

Printer cables have many uses, especially in the mountains. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Tiki Summit

Not to be confused with Kiki and a certain rapper.

Ridge

Multiple crossing overs as we followed the fence line to the terminus.

3 Poles

Leaving the ridge as we headed down into the valley.

Waianae Kaala Trail

The girls hanging out on the trail.

All pau

Speak softly and carry a pig poker. Just in case. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

GPS Tracks

Our climbing hike covered a little over five miles with good company. Thanks to Leander for picking us up again. Post hike meal at Outback where not all steakhouse franchises are the same. No clam chowder.

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.

Met up with Analyn, Chris, Cisco, Ferlino, Matt and Shirley on Veteran’s Day to hike on the West side. Some of us were still sleepy from last night’s Bruno Mars concert. Sleep walking in the mountains it is. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off deep in the valley, where we saw C-Rider Falls slicing down the mountain. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Waianae Valley

We left the road after a thankfully short walk and headed into the valley that was bouncing back nicely from the recent brush fires. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Feet wet

Ferlino crossing the fenced irrigation system. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Waianae Valley

Looking towards the sun rising through the clouds.

Waianae Valley

Heading deeper into the valley as the sun torched the tips of the mountains. Enjoying the shade while it lasted. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waianae Valley

The cow skull has apparently grown legs and migrated further up the fence line since my last visit.

Timber!

Crying wolf in the mountains. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kawiwi Ridge

Leaving the valley floor behind us as we began our climb up the windy ridge. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kawiwi Ridge

Ferlino and Cisco coming up the exposed ridge line that was pocketed with brittle branches and chlorophyll pigmented bushes. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kawiwi Ridge

Chris going up the ridge line that got progressively steeper and rockier.

Kawiwi Ridge

Scenic rock overlooking Waianae and Lualualei Valleys. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kawiwi Ridge

Stepping stones. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kawiwi Ridge

Lining up as we approached the tricky crack. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kawiwi Ridge

Trying to look heroic, perhaps best to stick with the weight loss program.

Kawiwi Summit

Group photo left to right: Shirley, Analyn, Matt, Chris, myself, Ferlino and Cisco.

Ridge

Photoshoot in progress. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ridge

Hiking in progress.

Ridge

It was only a matter of time before we ran into the fence line. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ridge

We had lots of rocks to climb down …

Ridge

… and over and under.

Ridge

Prickly pears for the picking. Watch the thorns. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ridge

Looking over into Makaha Valley. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

No Name Peak

The Pepsi Challenge is alive and well in the mountains.

Ridge

Dropping down to the Tiki Rocks.

Hikers gone wild

Tiki, do you love me? Are you riding? Synchronized to music. Live entertainment. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Mango Ridge

Where you guys came from and you seen my dog? That way and nope.

Three Poles

Some people drive themselves up the pole. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Bolohead

Rain showers sweeping our planned route back down to the valley.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

To ladder or not to ladder. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Shelled gastropod

Indigenous or invasive? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Mount Ka’ala

Lack of time and inclement weather pretty much dictated our route down, bottle cap notwithstanding. Photo by Shirley.

Mount Ka’ala

Approaching the socked in FAA tracking station.

Mount Ka’ala

Group photo by Matt Vidaurri at the highest point on the island.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Leaving the rain soaked summit for fenced ridge lines and clear skies. Never fails.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Sliding our way down into the valley. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Chris heard waterfalls so most of the group followed the stream to find the source of the noise.

Waianae Waterfalls

Going with the flow.

Waianae Valley

Color coding the valley. What happens if you’re color blind?

All pau

Catching the sun going down as we exited the valley and finished our 7.5 mile hike. Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up. Photo by Shirley.

GPS Tracks

Post hike meal at Coquito’s. We sat outside where it was warm. The conversation was even warmer as the table talk turned to kissing junior and tossing the vegetables. Hey, I only had two hours of sleep!

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.