Strong winds scattered our original saddle plans today and blew us to another part of the mountains. Thanks to Chico for dropping and picking us up.

Hahaione

Mahalo to Kenny and Roger for shuttling us to our new starting point for today. What started out as a chilly morning quickly turned oppressively humid.

Hahaione

We went “exploring” and Alexis twisted her ankle on the return trip back. She slapped Scott’s compression sleeve on her stretched ligaments and was back on her feet.

Hahaione

Making our way to the fence line. The correct fence line.

Hahaione

Jeremy pulling himself up as we scrambled our way to the spur ridge line.

Hahaione

It was a huff and puff cardio climb towards the top.

Hahaione

We were within spitting distance of the summit. Then again, with the strong winds blowing, it might have ended up back in our faces.

Hahaione

Sitting life on the edge while overlooking the valley that used to be home to fishponds and sweet potatoes before contact with Europeans. Too risky standing.

Hahaione Summit

Group photo at the summit that was being actively cooled by extremely strong trade winds.

Hahaione Summit

The point of no return. Who will you listen to? Choose carefully.

Hahaione Pyramid

Descending down the direct way.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Back on solid footing with the background rock structure that bears a passing resemblance to a triangular shape.

KSRT

Our office view today.

KSRT

Climbing our way towards the second summit on the trail.

KSRT

Alexis and Kenny testing their handholds and footholds as they near the top.

KSRT

What’s for lunch? Red miso soup with rice and ontama. Thank you Chef Suzuki.

Mariner’s Ridge Summit

Group photo on Kaluanui Summit, the place that Kamehameha Schools would like you to forget, as they shut down the trail back in 2013.

KSRT

Our bellies full and with the wind at our back and in our faces, we resumed our hike.

KSRT

Scott and Roger catching up with the group as they were looking for Roger’s phone that had slipped out of his case on the trail. No need to use the phone insurance for a second time.

KSRT

Akira soaking in the views.

KSRT

Climbing down the cliff with … a printer cable? The things you find on hiking trails.

KSRT

Leaving the canopied trail behind us as we struck out on the exposed ridge line.

KSRT

Alexis and Roger framed by the power lines as they made their way down.

Tom-Tom Summit

Seeking scant shade at the terminus that was named after Tom McGuire and Tom Cadle who rediscovered the old Hawaiian trail that started in Waimanalo and crested to the ridge line and beyond.

KSRT

Roaming through “open country.”

KSRT

Some took the climbing path, others took the contour trail. They both ended at the same destination.

KSRT

Taking a break after an exhausting fight against gravity on the pine needle covered trail.

Kamiloiki Summit

Brief stop to take our group photo at the summit with expansive Windward views. No time to camp today.

KSRT

We could see the road at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.

KSRT

Descending down the rocky saddle bordered by thin and coarse vegetation.

KSRT

What goes down, must come up.

KSRT

The face of determination. Hats off to Kenny for slowly working on his fear of heights.

KSRT

Making our way towards the active communications tower that was once neighbors to the infamous Dead Man’s Cat Walk.

KSRT

Working our way around one of the abandoned radar towers that used to control the Nike missile batteries down in Bellows Air Force Station from 1961-1970.

KSRT

When you mistakenly go on the inside and bypass the canned recording, you get to climb over one of Charles Barnard’s invention.

All pau

Enjoying the scenic walk down the road back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our Plan B hike that also helped Scott fill in one of his holes on his journey to complete the KST covered 4.85 miles with windy weather and fun company. Post hike meal at Tex808 BBQ where we just missed the live music.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Jeremy Cannone, Kenny Lui, Scott Peterson, Roger Schiffman 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.

We did a short conditioner hike for the upcoming travel to the land of the Kiwis.

Kamehame

Thanks for the encouragement as we pounded the pavement on our way to the ridge line.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Can Camper and Winner come out and play in the rain?

KSRT

Rainy views on one of two benches planted in the area.

KSRT

Group photo in the rain at the second hang gliding platform.

KSRT

Mari climbing up a small hill.

KSRT

We crossed paths with Andre, Jerry and Phoenix in the drizzling rain. Guess which one was the dog?

KSRT

Contouring our way around the lady bug tree as stiff winds blew away the rain clouds.

Makapu’u Puka

I thought it was bigger. The puka. That’s what he said.

KSRT

Another hill? A bigger hill.

KSRT

Enjoying the panoramic views of Sea Life Park, Manana and Kaohikaipu islands on our way down the rocky trail.

All pau

Following the fence line down to Makapu’u Lookout to end our hike. Somebody was happy.

GPS Tracks

Our partial KST hike covered a little over three miles. Is somebody ready to tackle the rest of the KST? Thanks to Chico for the pick up. Post hike meal at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers.

Photos taken by Mari Saito 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.