We decided to have Christmas come early for Lilyn today. Met up with Analyn, Anne, Art, Lilyn and myself at the Pali Lookout where typical windy conditions greeted us.
Trailhead
Right off the bat, it was a short and steep climb up. The best part of waking up, is hiking up. Photo by Art Young.
Pali Trail
Anne breaking out into the open grassy spot which afforded us much better views than the lookout.
Pali Trail
Working our way towards the first of the man-made notches where we ran across two other hikers. Photo by Art Young.
Pali Notches
Lilyn climbing down the first notch. Photo by Art Young.
Pali Notches
Taking a break on the other side. Photo by Art Young.
Pali Notches
Everybody waiting their turn to make their way down the second notch.
Nipple
Time to climb the chimney. Photo by Art Young.
Chimney
Lilyn trying not to get tangled up in the ropes on her way up.
Chimney
Need a hand?
Chimney
Some folks liked to savor their climb up the chimney by sitting down. Photo by Art Young.
Chimney
Others like to be on their back. Photo by Art Young.
Nu’uanu Saddle
The climbing was not over yet. Photo by Art Young.
Contour
Lilyn pulling herself up to the ridge line with backdrop views of Kalihi Valley and points beyond.
Nu’uanu Saddle
Making our way up the grassy ridge line that was punctuated with boulders of assorted sizes and shapes. Photo by Art Young.
Nu’uanu Saddle
Looking back at our crumbly climb.
Nu’uanu Saddle
The girls enjoying a relatively flat section of the ridge line with sweeping Windward views in the background.
Nu’uanu Saddle
Rock climbing. Photo by Art Young.
Nu’uanu Saddle
What happens when you don’t take the helping hand is you land on your back. Some people are used to that already.
Mud Wall
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something purple.
Nu’uanu Saddle
Pushing our way on the muddy trail to the top.
Konahuanui
Group photo at the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Socked in as usual.
Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)
Traversing between the schweddy balls.
K2
Met up with Aida, Janell, Quan and Tessa at the shift right peak. There was also a reunion of sorts celebrated with a yawyaw dance and food regurgitation.
K2
Before we left, the girls did their traditional male-excluded butt grab group shot.
KSRT
Watching as the ridge line kept the clouds at bay on the Leeward side.
KSRT
Panoramic cloudy view.
KSRT
Coming down the trail that was partly open and partly overgrown. Photo by Art Young.
KSRT
Janell making her way down with the spine of the Ko’olau Mountain Range ahead of her. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
KSRT
Leaving the crown jewels of the Ko’olau Mountains behind us. Photo by Art Young.
KSRT
One had to be quick to catch this rainbow. Not all of us saw it. Photographic proof by Aida Gordon.
KSRT
Coming down the sandwiched meadow.
KSRT
Horizontal rain blurred the way to our destination summit.
Manoa Middle Summit
Our not so synchronized group photo, where some of us were more enthusiastic than the others.
Manoa Middle Trail
Heading down into Manoa Valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.
Strawberry guavas
Trail snacks to keep you constipated while hiking.
Manoa Middle Trail
Coming down the steepest part of the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.
Queen’s Bath
Communal bathing to rinse off the collective mud and grime.
Manoa Valley
Climbing out of the stream fed bath.
All pau
Exiting Pu’u Pia Trail, where we got rides from Tessa, Aida and Quan. Some of us showered and freshened up to make ourselves somewhat presentable for our dinner that was a little more demanding in terms of personal hygiene than our usual hang outs. Photo by Art Young.
Post hike meal
We celebrated Ferlino’s birthday at Jade Dynasty where Cathy, Dale, Edgar, Jasmin (2), Matt, Richard and family, Sally and Somphet also joined the party. Thanks to Sally for putting the delicious menu together and setting up the private room arrangements. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
GPS Tracks
Our 4.7 mile hike that took us to the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range and down into the deep and thick valley of Manoa was another fun adventure with good company.
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.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Funny the eggs in the yawyaws mouth. Never a dull moment! Lol
Yummy dinner afterwards, I missed dem food at the restaurant.
Aloha Tessa,
Yup never a dull moment in the mountains. That food was ono!
Mahalo
Hi Kenji! Thanks for the blog! I want to do this hike soon! I’ve covered the whole KST from Manoa Middle to Makapuu now, but the legend of the Chimney has been keeping me away from this trail.
Aloha Sally,
You’re welcome. Just take care and stay safe when you do it!
Mahalo