Some Ohio Professor thought I was joking about taking him to the saddles for his special day. Happy Birthday!
Trailhead
I picked up Andy from Kalama Valley and we drove to Moanalua Valley, where Analyn was kind enough to take us to the trailhead off Likelike Highway.
Powerlines
Our first views of the day. Hope it won’t be the last. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)
Hanging onto the plants as we made our way along the ridge.
Witchs Hat
Scrambling up the backside of the conical shaped rock, depending on your point of view.
Witchs Hat
Climbing down the frontside or wait, is this the backside? Depends on your direction of travel. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Witchs Hat
The best seat on the saddle.
Rock Triangle #1
Climbing up on the Windward side. The best side. On this side. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Rock Triangle #1
Andy making his way up with Olomana in the background.
Rock Triangle #2
Climbing up on the Leeward side. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Broken Wave
Pretending to be a billy goat helps when going up a crumbly ridge.
Kalihi Saddle
Dropping off the ridge and contouring on the Leeward side.
Dirty Slide
Going up the soft, shifting dirt makes one fight for every inch gained.
Power problems
There are more pressing problems than trying to safely traverse a crumbly ridge, like changing a dead GoPro battery.
Kalihi Saddle
Andy making his way up the windswept ridge.
KSRT
Swimming through the overgrowth.
Bowman Summit
Halfway done at the partially socked in summit of Kahuauli.
KSRT
Traversing the cloud soaked ridge line.
Tripler Summit
Missing out on the Windward views.
KSRT
Heaven must have sneezed as the clouds blew away to reveal the ridge and all the man made structures in all her glory.
KSRT
Looking back at the Windward views that we had missed earlier.
KSRT
In exchange for receiving zero assistance in locating Diamond Head, we pointed a California visitor from Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe to the terminus of Stairway to Heaven. Still looking for the hardest hike on the island.
CCL Building
Picture with a photobomber.
Stairway to Heaven
You guys can go that way …
Moanalua Saddle
… and we’ll go this way.
Moanalua Saddle
Making our way down against the backdrop of Halawa Valley.
Moanalua Saddle
Leaving Heaven behind us. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Moanalua Middle Ridge
Watching other hikers take the longer and slightly less eroded ridge back down.
Moanalua Saddle
Scooting our way down as the ridge took on a decidedly eroded character.
Moanalua Saddle
Andy trying to get his footing on the ever crumbling rocks.
Moanalua Saddle
Making our way over windswept trees, crumbly rocks and scenic views. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Dirt Triangle
Leg eye view of myself making my way down the most famous obstacle on this saddle. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Moanalua Valley
Andy contouring his way around with the valley in the background that was originally the planned home for the H-3 Highway.
Moanalua Saddle
Leaving behind the polygon of rocks and dirt behind us.
Moanalua Saddle
Backing our way down the Windward contour. Photo by Andrew Keller.
Kulana’ahane Summit
Andy was disappointed that the saddles hadn’t been more “challenging”, so we had to do it on one leg with our hands tied behind our back. The one eye shut is open to speculation as we were both wearing sunglasses.
Kulana’ahane Summit
Are we having second thoughts about pushing towards Red Hill? Perhaps not.
Dry chute
The ridge wasn’t crying us a river, let alone a waterfall.
Kulana’ahane Trail
Making our way underneath the tangled thicket of hau branches.
All pau
The end of the road that still hasn’t grown on me and probably never will. Our 7.55 mile hike was a good saddle introduction that was blessed with overall good weather. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse, where the meals were a little rich for somebody’s liking.
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.
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