Pali to Wiliwilinui (Camping)

It was our intention to hike the complete Southern section of the KST this weekend. But a couple pesky hinge joints had another say in the matter.

Thanks to Hitoshi-san who dropped us off where the grounds were wet and the gusting winds noticeably absent but appreciated nonetheless.

Tessa breaking out into the open with panoramic views of the Windward side.

We surprised a couple of sunrise watchers who knew their limits.

Akira climbing down into one of two man-made notches that were supposedly cut out of the mountain by King Kalanikupule of Oahu who was fortifying his defenses against the impending invasion from King Kamehameha from Hawai’i. Canons and warriors were housed in these two notches and trained on the anticipated landing areas. However, Kamehameha had sent his scouts up and over the peaks of Konahuanui and surprised the canon forces and disabled them. The OG hikers.

This is the way.

Navigating the spiderweb of ropes and webbing as I climbed my way up.

Do you need elevator service? Just call me Otis.

I love you Kenji! Let’s not make this a sequel to Brokeback Mountain.

Even somebody’s backpack needed elevator service.

I have something to say …

… a certain angel fell 300′ from this spot almost 12 years ago. Don’t tell me that! She survived to hike another day.

This rope looks a little long in the tooth.

Enjoying the views while we could before the higher elevation and clouds swallowed them up.

Climbing up the slippery slope.

Group photo at the socked in summit of the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

Looking for that geodetic marker that sticky hands apparently lifted from the second of the large testicles. Hanging slightly to the left.

Sliding off the Schweddy Balls as we dropped in elevation and started to get the views back.

High high lost in the meadows and the views.

Taking a break at the grassy summit where we met a solitary hiker who had come up from the valley to check out the views. She was not disappointed.

We left the summit and the three specks that we had saw from a distance soon took on recognizable shapes in the form of Darren, Bernice and Baron. They had come up from Waiakeakua Falls and were going down Manoa Middle.

Contouring on the uluhe infested trail as we hugged the ridge line above us.

We didn’t stop for a test drive.

The trail soon intersected with the Wa’ahila Ridge Trail which we followed to the summit of ‘Awa’awaloa (Mount Olympus).

Leaving the summit where circumstances forced us to change camp location.

Approaching the HECO Powerlines that ring the marsh filled crater.

The horse tail was home for the night.

Setting up our home sweet home.

Who let the dog out?

Kenji? I’m Jake, Enrique’s neighbor. Small world.

Sizzling steak flamed in butter is what’s for dinner.

The end product. Half a steak sandwich, steak with fried rice and curried shrimp rice. Thanks Chef Suzuki. Just missing the cold carbonated drinks.

Mother Nature painting a cloudy sunset sky.

What happens in the Ko’olau Mountains, stays in the Ko’olau Mountains. High high.

G’night from the KST.

Sunday
Hey there, hi there, ho there
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Morning miso soup. Akadashi.

G’morning from the KST.

Scrambling up the rutted trail.

I think he’s pointing in the wrong direction. OMG. The cult thing is getting to me.

Looking in the direction of the hardest hike on the island.

Climbing up the Big Hill.

Soaking in the views aka taking a rest from the cardio climb.

Akira living off the land.

We made it to the grassy summit as we looked back at the twin peaks of Konahuanui.

Crossing over the ridge line that was populated with crimson lehua blossoms.

Group photo on the 2,650′ summit and also home to my pipe dream.

Half a sunglass is better than no sunglass at all.

Going down the ridgeline dominated by the HECO powerline poles.

A lineman you will not make.

Those lazy bums can walk over to meet us. Who you calling lazy bums? Oh, you can hear us. Color her embarrassed.

Many thanks to Aileen, Aya, Jen, Lilyn, Val and William for hiking up the trail to meet us and bring cold drinks and snacks with them.

The three second rule doesn’t apply in the mountains for some folks.

Going down the stepped trail.

Kenji, I want to tell you something. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Is this like brushing your teeth? Two minutes? Mahalo to Aileen and Val for giving us rides.

Our abbreviated weekend hike covered 7.63 miles that was also Akira’s first camping trip in Hawaii. Post hike meal at Chubbies Burgers, stick with the canned soda and the Fruity Pebbles should stay in the cereal bowl.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Tessa Bugay, 16″ Horsecock Club 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.

Tagged as: awaawaloa summit, chimney, contour, k1, k2, kaala, kainawaaunui summit, konahuanui, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, manoa middle summit, mount olympus, pali lookout, pali notches, true lanipo, wiliwilinui ridge trail, wiliwilinui summit