We paid a visit to Nature’s climbing gym on the West side today. Outdoors. Free. Can’t beat it.

Waianae Valley

Thanks to Leander for dropping Marilyn, Quan and myself off in the valley of broken glass, stripped cars and running dogs.

Waianae Valley

We pounded the pavement for a thankfully short time before hitting the trail punctuated with ponds of taro and patches of the pungent bitter melon leaves.

Waianae Valley

Pushing up the short and steep firebreak trail.

Kawiwi Ridge

Standing at the foot of the spur ridge overlooking the coastal valleys. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Kawiwi Ridge

Making our way up the rock encrusted ridge smothered with dry grass and stunted trees.

Kawiwi Ridge

Climbing and contouring our way up. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kawiwi Ridge

The breezy conditions made the stepping stones an exercise of balance and keeping ones center of gravity low.

Kawiwi Ridge

Start from the bottom …

Kawiwi Ridge

… and end up at the top. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kawiwi Ridge

Which way to go? Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kawiwi Ridge

Climbing our way to the top. Almost there!

Kawiwi Ridge

Are we climbing that? Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Kawiwi Ridge

Circumventing the crack.

Kawiwi Ridge

Group photo at the overgrown summit.

Ridge

Gateway to more climbing and views.

Ridge

Did I say more climbing?

Ridge

Narrow ridge ahead. Keep your hands inside at all times during the ride. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Ridge

Looking back as Quan and Marilyn made their way over the narrow ridge with steep drop offs.

Ridge

It was just a matter of time before we hit the fence line.

Ridge

Climbing, crawling and scooting their way over the jumbled rocks.

Ridge

Where’s the flag? Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Ridge

Contouring around the narrow ledge.

Ridge

Threading our way carefully through the cacti plants. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

No Name Summit

Group photo at the unclaimed peak.

Ridge

Printer cables have many uses, especially in the mountains. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Tiki Summit

Not to be confused with Kiki and a certain rapper.

Ridge

Multiple crossing overs as we followed the fence line to the terminus.

3 Poles

Leaving the ridge as we headed down into the valley.

Waianae Kaala Trail

The girls hanging out on the trail.

All pau

Speak softly and carry a pig poker. Just in case. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

GPS Tracks

Our climbing hike covered a little over five miles with good company. Thanks to Leander for picking us up again. Post hike meal at Outback where not all steakhouse franchises are the same. No clam chowder.

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.