Wiliwilinui to Pali Lookout

Try and try again. That is how we found ourselves back at the same trailhead but going in a different direction than last weekend. The right direction.

Met up with Art, Marilyn and Rhonda in the Waialae Iki Subdivision. Rhonda eventually decided to go her own direction and pace.

The mountain tops were clear. A complete and welcome change from last week. Photo by Art Young.

One step at a time. Photo by Art Young.

She can chew gum and walk at the same as well. Photo by Art Young.

Clear views at the top but the winds were cranking. Blowing hard enough to deafening decibels.

Waiting at the helipad for the chopper to deliver our manapua and frozen cokes. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Weaving in and out of the poles is more fun than going in a straight line.

Heading to the summit of True Lanipo or maybe not. Photo by Art Young.

Mr. Summit visually explaining that this is not the summit of True Lanipo.

Scooting our way down the big hill.

Valley views for miles.

I heard that a lot of couples pop the question at this scenic spot. Photo by Art Young.

Looking into the crater that was formed by the Hawaiian demigod Maui who tried to unite the islands with his fishing hook but the line snapped and the hook landed into what we see today.

Heading towards the notch that marks the climb towards Mount Olympus.

I don’t know which was harder, battling the gusting winds or climbing up the hill. Photo by Art Young.

Group photo at the close enough summit.

Transitioning from the eroded and rutted trail to the slightly better maintained trail.

Stepping foot on part of the trail complex that was built in the early 1900’s by William Castle and friends. Photo by Art Young.

Contouring below the ridgeline with valley and city views around us.

Back on the windy ridge line. Photo by Art Young.

We met up with Chris and CJ who had hiked up from Manoa Valley and took a break at the flat topped summit. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Heading towards the crown jewels of the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Art Young.

Cardio climbing through the mountains. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Keep on pushing. Rest at the summit.

Marilyn standing on one of the large testicles.

Happy Birthday Arthur from the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Many more happy returns.

Leaving the 3,150′ summit as we dropped down into the saddle. Photo by Art Young.

Chris and CJ making their way down the wall. Photo by Art Young.

The birthday boy in the mountains. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Contouring around the big boulder that sits smack dab in the middle of the ridge. Photo by Art Young.

The ridge soon became exposed and steeper. Photo by Art Young.

Marilyn climbing her way down the crumbly pile of rocks.

This spot always gives me pause as this is where a fellow hiker, Agnes Bryant fell 300′ to the valley floor and survived! Somebody was truly looking out for her on that day. Photo by Art Young.

Art staying high on his climb down the crumbly rockface. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

I had to re-route the ropes going down the Chimney, as they had been blown over to the Leeward side. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

The winds were howling with a capital H. The winds were no joke today.

Looking out towards the skinny spire of a rock. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Trying not to get blown off the ridge as we made our way down.

We bumped into another fellow hiker, Steve Lin who was out stretching his legs this windy day.

The group climbing up the smaller notch of the two that were built by King Kalanikupule’s warriors to defend the island of Oahu from King Kamehameha in the Battle of Nu’uanu back in 1795.

Making our way down to the Pali Lookout. Our lookout is better than your lookout.

Where’s the frozen cokes? Getting spoiled. Thanks to Jim and Rhonda for picking us up and taking us back to our cars. Photo by Rhonda Hutchinson.

Our windy as heck birthday hike covered over seven miles with adventurous friends. Post hike meal at Mama Pho’s where Cat, Edgar, Jasmin, Narissa and Quan joined us for Bart’s birthday dinner.

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.

Tagged as: awaawaloa summit, chimney, k1, k2, ka'au crater, kainawaaunui summit, konahuanui summit, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, mount olympus, pali notches, true lanipo, wiliwilinui ridge trail, wiliwilinui summit