My original hiking plans got shelved, that seems to be happening a lot lately, so it was off to find a route to the numbers that Scotty had been wanting to check out.

Maunawili

Our destination was in sight. Now we just had to find a way to get up there.

Maunawili

Turning off the road that is reputedly haunted at night by ghostly hitchhikers and menehunes. During the daytime, it’s primarily occupied by chronics, homeless and illegal dumpers.

Maunawili

Chico trying to find his balance on an abandoned car.

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The trail / road was just a relentless slog uphill.

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Ferlino living up to the stereotype. Anybody need parts for their 4Runner?

Maunawili

Webbing? We don’t need no stinking webbing.

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Anybody needs some snow fungus in their salad?

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Passing through one of many weathered ribbons that marked the trail.

Maunawili

Edgar approaching the summit with the quarry behind him that was started up in 1949 to meet the increased rock demand due to the suburban development of Oahu.

Maunawili Cliffs

We knew the number “26” was somewhere below us, so Edgar flew his drone out to pinpoint the location.

Maunawili Cliffs

Preparing to descend and scout out the rock below us to see if we could approach the painted numbers. We also wondered if we were visible to the hikers on Olomana, somebody dubiously claimed they did see us.

Maunawili Cliffs

The numbers change annually to reflect the graduating senior class. Competition with the Kailua and Kalaheo students, who have their own numbers.

Maunawili Cliffs

We determined further descent was too precarious, so we scrambled back up the rocks.

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Making our way onto the quarry road.

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Can you see the smile for the rock?

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Hiking our way to the other end of the ridge to see a bench that was last seen 10 years ago by Scotty’s friend.

Pine Tree Hill

We decided to take a break in the stand of pine trees.

Pine Tree Hill

The bench had to be partially re-assembled as it lay scattered amongst the pine needles.

Pine Tree Hill

Ferlino showcasing his impressive core and upper body strength while the rest of us struggled to keep up.

Maunawili

So much for collision avoidance.

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Medic! I think I can save the eyeball. The eyelashes maybe not.

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Climbing into a bench with a view.

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Far, far, far away.

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Going back to our cars where we ran across more discarded items of civilization, that may one day be somebody’s treasure.

All pau

We ended our roughly five mile hike none the worse for wear other than an corneal abrasion, a dropped phone that was thankfully recovered by Edgar and smothered in fun times. Post hike meal at Saigon Noodle House which used the wider noodles in its sweeter broth. Thanks to Scotty for today’s hike and everybody for the fun company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3HHEBDB0qk

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our hiking day.

Photos taken by Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Edgar Gamiao, Ferlino Carinio, Scotty Dea, 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.