Pali to Manoa Middle

by kenji SAITO on February 26, 2023

The winds were forecasted to be blowing hard this weekend. What shall we do? Let’s go climb the chimney and finish off somebody’s saddle boot camp, as they put it.

Aloha 'Aina

Aloha ‘Aina

Somebody woke up late, so others took the extra time on their hands to pursue recreational activities.

Pali Lookout

Pali Lookout

Thanks to Lilia and Quan for dropping Aileen, Art, Chico, Chris, Jen, Mona, Tessa, and myself off at the windy scenic lookout.

Nu'uanu Pali

Nu’uanu Pali

Are we here to pick or to hike?

Nu'uanu Pali

Nu’uanu Pali

Making our way up the rooted hill in the tree line.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

Jen climbing down the first of two man-made notches. Believe it or not.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

The winds were blowing stiff and hard through the mountain pass. Strong enough to snatch a cap off your head and twist you on the rope.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

Tessa climbing down to the notch where British canons were emplaced by the warriors of King Kalanikupule who were defending Oahu from the invading army of King Kamehameha that had sailed from the Big Island.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

The group making their way to descend the second and biggest notch.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

I resisted the urge to lean back for the gram.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

In 1795, King Kamehameha’s warriors climbed down from the peak of Konahuanui and surprised and disabled the canons set in these notches.

Pali Notches

Pali Notches

We soon noticed two young kids had joined us at the top of the second notch waiting their turn.

Nipple

Nipple

The group climbing up the needle of basaltic rock.

Nipple

Nipple

Mona making her way up.

Chimney

Chimney

The two kids contoured around the nipple to avoid our logjam, one shed his shoes and then they both scampered up the chimney.

Chimney

Chimney

Viewpoint from the Nipple.

Chimney

Chimney

Try, try again.

Chimney

Chimney

With a little help from my friends.

Chimney

Chimney

Aileen enjoying the moment. Then again, I’m not good at reading people’s body language.

Chimney

Chimney

Getting my upper body workout today. Going to cancel my 24 hour membership when I get home.

Chimney

Chimney

Chris providing pointers on climbing up the rockface.

Chimney

Chimney

No assistance required at this time.

Chimney

Chimney

Did you push the elevator button to the top?

Chimney

Chimney

Changing up my vantage point. My butt was getting sore.

Chimney

Chimney

Deja vu.

Chimney

Chimney

Do you feel Chris breathing down your neck?

Chimney

Chimney

The last haul.

Chimney

Chimney

Art was his own elevator service.

Contour

Contour

Chico recording the action as it unfolds on his GoPro for posterity’s sake.

Contour

Contour

Chris going up the near vertical climb.

Contour

Contour

Climbing queue.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

The group contouring and climbing over some boulders.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chico stretching his thigh muscles coming down. Maybe even his back muscles as well.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Walking the ridge line.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

To climb or contour the boulder?

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Somebody climbed the boulder to finish their “saddle boot camp.” Certificate is in the mail. Postage due.

Mud Wall

Mud Wall

Waiting our turn to go up the mud wall or as of late, the mud steps.

Pali Lookout

Pali Lookout

Looking down at the yellow bird of HFD rescue a tourist from themselves.

Piliwale Junction

Piliwale Junction

Tessa arriving at the junction for the Windward ridge that was named after a legendary hiker named Silver Piliwale.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Hiking to what I was sure would be a cloud soaked summit.

Konahuanui

Konahuanui

I was gladly proven wrong as we took our group photo at the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

KSRT

KSRT

Traversing between the two large testicles.

K2

K2

No pillow. No problem.

K2

K2

A mixture of shake and peace signs at the second highest summit.

KSRT

KSRT

Somebody left a spanking brand new webbing to use. What a thoughtful individual.

KSRT

KSRT

Chris against the dramatic backdrop of the fluted ridges of the mountains.

KSRT

KSRT

The group going through one of the multiple meadows that dot the ridge line.

KSRT

KSRT

Mona going down an old and tired rope.

KSRT

KSRT

Chico going off trail in a patch of uluhe ferns.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way to our last summit of the day. A far cry and throw from the original planned one.

Manoa Middle

Manoa Middle

Arthritic gang signs at the summit?

Manoa Middle

Manoa Middle

We had our last lunch break before heading down to the valley. Fresh salad pickings were had for the plucking and the five second rule doesn’t apply in the mountains, well for certain individuals at least.

Manoa Middle Trail

Manoa Middle Trail

The lush valley being swept with passing showers on our way down.

Manoa Middle Trail

Manoa Middle Trail

Passing through a stretch of invasive strawberry guava trees. Tasty trail snacks.

Manoa Middle Trail

Manoa Middle Trail

Descending through a forest of some of the fastest growing plants on Earth.

Manoa Middle Trail

Manoa Middle Trail

Climbing down the steepest section of the trail.

Manoa Valley

Manoa Valley

Scrambling up the short and steep hill.

Manoa Valley

Manoa Valley

Walking our way out on the trail studded with roots, rocks and mud. I was so over it.

All pau

All pau

The license plate has been blurred to protect the guilty. Thanks to Chris and Quan for giving us rides back to Kaneohe.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our saddle hike covered 4.35 miles with windy conditions tempered by scenic views with a fun group. Congratulations to Aileen for finishing all three saddles on the KST. Post hike meal at Chico’s house where Lilia made us chili mac and the fixings and dessert.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Art Young, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Jen Odence, Mona Guillermo, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Wahinee01 March 11, 2023 at 2:58 pm

Super duper windy that day. Elevator service was very busy that day lol
So hilarious your captions on some pics.. LMAO

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kenji SAITO March 15, 2023 at 5:33 pm

Aloha Tessa,
Yes, was working overtime. Glad you enjoyed it.
Mahalo

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