tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57758865076306710172024-03-13T05:52:52.475-07:00Beyond the Sandbox...for all of us who love the unknown, the risky, and the unrestricted...Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-3008673330875654272010-10-10T02:51:00.000-07:002011-02-18T03:21:32.428-08:00Pali Puka - Lanihuli (Failed Attempt)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdyGx_UTzBE/TV5Pgdc3BEI/AAAAAAAABcs/rSz2wdMyBwA/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdyGx_UTzBE/TV5Pgdc3BEI/AAAAAAAABcs/rSz2wdMyBwA/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusk settles in over the Pali Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>DATE: October 10, 2010<br />
TOTAL TIME: 2hrs<br />
DIFFICULTY: Hard - Mental<br />
PARTICIPANTS: “The Optimist” Jeremy, “MP3” Stefanie, Me<br />
REHIKE VALUE: 9<br />
<br />
Okay, so after last week’s “scouting mission,” I was bound and determined to conquer what I initially considered as the “easiest” of my superhikes. Of course, if you read my blog from a week ago, “easy” wasn’t exactly … correct. <br />
<br />
Just to recap our last attempt … er … (ahem) scouting mission. My thought process went something like this. “Looks easy … Pali Puka is cool … oooh, high winds and narrow ridge … we got time, we’ll finish it in no time … (snap) taking pictures (snap) … narrower ridge … impossible looking nub … crap, we ain’t got time … turn around … shortcut? … following trail tape … trail tape leads nowhere … oooh let’s follow a stream … oh (looking down a 300 ft waterfall), not this way … wish we didn’t take shortcut … where are we going … swing from tree to tree … trail tape again, should we follow? … we follow … get to road and walked to lookout … woohoo! Successful scouting mission! Freaking epic fail.<br />
<br />
Not this time, said I. I would not be denied this day. Well, at least that’s what I told myself anyway.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-up_U5nl_Hzc/TV5PldGLgzI/AAAAAAAABcw/EmCFVUsT1Vc/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-up_U5nl_Hzc/TV5PldGLgzI/AAAAAAAABcw/EmCFVUsT1Vc/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaneohe and beyond</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3A3tenKsUE/TV5Pops1EUI/AAAAAAAABc0/48falBQIneI/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3A3tenKsUE/TV5Pops1EUI/AAAAAAAABc0/48falBQIneI/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take two</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not BS-ing around, we reached our original turnaround point in about an hour and took a break. Getting past the nub proved extremely easy, but for anyone attempting this hike, I left a ridiculous display of rope, reminiscent of a retard’s crayon designs. Not pretty, but effective.<br />
<br />
The crumbly nature of the ridge made Bear Claw and Piliwale ridges feel like stable concrete sidewalks in comparison. Even “The Optimist” Jeremy noted that the route was more technically difficult and dangerous overall than True Manamana, which he conquered BY HIMSELF!!! Of course, being 173Hiking, we pride ourselves in conducting insane hikes with minimal equipment. Oh, and saving the chopper only for death and dismemberment. Heard it was more of a challenge…or something. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTVZBOYMZs8/TV5QnV_YvQI/AAAAAAAABdA/NBAb39RZ3l8/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTVZBOYMZs8/TV5QnV_YvQI/AAAAAAAABdA/NBAb39RZ3l8/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Ah yes... the fun begins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0F7YllqqRXg/TV5Q2jKR7JI/AAAAAAAABdI/v8uVRdgCYLw/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0F7YllqqRXg/TV5Q2jKR7JI/AAAAAAAABdI/v8uVRdgCYLw/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk in the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ug0tmB5hQKA/TV5QsAKtayI/AAAAAAAABdE/PUaY4gDp_KE/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ug0tmB5hQKA/TV5QsAKtayI/AAAAAAAABdE/PUaY4gDp_KE/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature's tight-rope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were blasting the trail, trucking uphill like there was a tsunami on our asses. No way were we turning around … until we discovered, what we’ve since dubbed, the REAL Pali Notches. I personally call it “Donkey Kong.”<br />
<br />
You know the famous notches on the south side of the lookout supposedly used during the battle of Nu’uanu? Yeah, those were dents. It was 1100 hrs. What lay before us was a suicidal series of vertical, three foot wide notches ranging anywhere from 20 to 50 feet in height. Loose dirt, crumbly rock. Honestly, the Pali Notches is where you drop your kids off to play. Donkey Kong is for the big boys. Stefanie’s constant “This is !#@$%& crazy!” chant didn’t really help either. A hundred feet of rope was all we had. After much debate, we headed back the way we came. To add insult to injury, the gods pulled down their pants and started to piss on us. We were defeated once again…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ea97Fm9MuVs/TV5SenbPVLI/AAAAAAAABdQ/_ENlxWxkpko/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ea97Fm9MuVs/TV5SenbPVLI/AAAAAAAABdQ/_ENlxWxkpko/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City and out to sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXH_PmOmH18/TV5TCNcqrQI/AAAAAAAABdc/TuRCw6ARxWQ/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXH_PmOmH18/TV5TCNcqrQI/AAAAAAAABdc/TuRCw6ARxWQ/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obstacle course from hell</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXzKinap_E/TV5Tyh_LmpI/AAAAAAAABdg/c9YvSuP8GA8/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXzKinap_E/TV5Tyh_LmpI/AAAAAAAABdg/c9YvSuP8GA8/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live to fight another day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Again we tried another “shortcut” down the leeward side of the ridge in an effort to avoid the treacherous ridgeline and a dike Jeremy called “Pu’u Suicido.” It was a long, long, loooong descent. More like detour. Somehow we found the blue rope we came across during the scouting mission. At 5pm! Time was not on our side as the sun began to clock out and head towards happy hour. So, up the rope we went, back on the ridge, back towards the puka, and eventually back to the parking lot around 7pm.<br />
<br />
I’m sure Jeremy would like me to mention that I was crying like a little bitch while climbing up the blue rope. Took me about 20 minutes to climb 30 feet. You happy now, Jeremy? He always wanted to get me back for the whole reverse Olomana incident. Double fail.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_r291hcukOM/TV5UMDjp-RI/AAAAAAAABdk/y4rZexUvf-M/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_r291hcukOM/TV5UMDjp-RI/AAAAAAAABdk/y4rZexUvf-M/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assume the break posture</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8Bhfk0whRc/TV5UQmp7IPI/AAAAAAAABdo/Niv-BWrGrZ0/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8Bhfk0whRc/TV5UQmp7IPI/AAAAAAAABdo/Niv-BWrGrZ0/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing down Pu'u Suicido</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5gLbd0pTMs/TV5USqTEMdI/AAAAAAAABds/zFenkXzNPZw/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5gLbd0pTMs/TV5USqTEMdI/AAAAAAAABds/zFenkXzNPZw/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain gods show no mercy as we trespassed over their domain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_Tmu7C_Q80/TV5VNXgnGqI/AAAAAAAABd0/kjHqqL2VKlk/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_Tmu7C_Q80/TV5VNXgnGqI/AAAAAAAABd0/kjHqqL2VKlk/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating terrain as the fog rolls in</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4l_xn9NSGRY/TV5VSqzDzdI/AAAAAAAABd4/xSc2pR7SzAc/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4l_xn9NSGRY/TV5VSqzDzdI/AAAAAAAABd4/xSc2pR7SzAc/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much sums up the hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_L2a1pwbiqg/TV5VXg4BUeI/AAAAAAAABd8/5KLfflnuqAs/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_L2a1pwbiqg/TV5VXg4BUeI/AAAAAAAABd8/5KLfflnuqAs/s320/IMG_0046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity amidst chaos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-68814868838027865322010-10-03T02:59:00.000-07:002011-02-03T03:56:56.142-08:00Pali Puka (Extended) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqKt5NUasI/AAAAAAAABbY/HRpSv4k6PJk/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqKt5NUasI/AAAAAAAABbY/HRpSv4k6PJk/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, another challenge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> October 3, 2010 <br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 6 hrs <br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Hard - Mental<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “The Optimist” Jeremy, “MP3” Stephanie, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE</strong>: 8<br />
<br />
To be completely honest, my plan was to hike from the Pali Lookout up to Lanihuli and down into the Kalihi Valley. We wasted so much time on the hike that I realized we wouldn’t make it on time. So, it became a “scouting mission” and we bailed out a side ridge into the Nu’uanu Valley.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqLqOOgQJI/AAAAAAAABbg/hxWLlnxT4uA/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqLqOOgQJI/AAAAAAAABbg/hxWLlnxT4uA/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monolith of a wall in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqNru24J-I/AAAAAAAABbw/x6RjgxN_tR4/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqNru24J-I/AAAAAAAABbw/x6RjgxN_tR4/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and me at the puka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Getting to the puka was the usual affair. 20 minutes of hard, fast paced hiking in fun hurricane type winds. We took a few minutes admiring the Godek wall, wondering if Chuck really did scale and descend the rock face all those years ago. I thought about it… briefly, and followed it up with a big fat no thank you! <br />
<br />
Gaining the ridge was less work than I had expected. There was a trail around the rock face which eventually led to a series of rope. So yes, I was disappointed I didn’t get to find my own route, but also glad because I’m a lazy bastard. We decided to make a right to the top of the Godek wall and that’s where everything turned to shit. Time was ticking, and Jeremy lost his brand spanking new camera. Since the ridge dropped straight down on both sides, attempting the search would have been … um … not smart. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqOflBimEI/AAAAAAAABb4/zBj94j-kdQM/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqOflBimEI/AAAAAAAABb4/zBj94j-kdQM/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridge walking ... sadistically addicting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqOo2gWvSI/AAAAAAAABb8/a-4XboZmViU/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqOo2gWvSI/AAAAAAAABb8/a-4XboZmViU/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the border of windward and leeward</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The mood was sour as we turned around and carried on with our quest for Lanihuli. I thought I had seen what thin and crumbly looked like, but the truly knife edge nature of the ridge plus the lovely high winds had my spidey sense jacked up pretty high. At about 10am, we reached a nub on the ridge …. a very intimidating nub on the ridge. <br />
<br />
There was no going around it, unless you’re freaking Spiderman. Now, I was on a strict timeline on this day and was in no mood to conduct any kind of terrain negotiation. I seriously underestimated the difficulty of this hike and the time it would take. I took another look at my watch and called it. No Lanihuli today.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqQ7Q3TU4I/AAAAAAAABcE/mggtX9ltrbM/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqQ7Q3TU4I/AAAAAAAABcE/mggtX9ltrbM/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You win today, nub</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqRAK5hP9I/AAAAAAAABcI/0tAybbn26WM/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqRAK5hP9I/AAAAAAAABcI/0tAybbn26WM/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even superheroes get pissed when they lose their camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So we turned around. Home free right? WRONG! We passed a rope leading down the leeward side of the ridge earlier and figured it was a quick bailout route back down into the valley. We were right… and wrong. Right, because it was. Wrong, because if you’re not paying attention and just following trail tape (guilty as charged), it would be the loooooongest shortcut you’ll ever take.<br />
<br />
I’m not going to go into detail because being exposed as one of the biggest epic fails in hiking history isn’t exactly a title I’m proud of. Just know that we went the wrong way … a few times. I take full responsibility. We did end up back at the lookout, completing the “loop,” but without Jeremy’s camera, and a huge feeling of dissatisfaction. Maybe next week…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqSUxJ46gI/AAAAAAAABcQ/Vu7VSH34sBI/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqSUxJ46gI/AAAAAAAABcQ/Vu7VSH34sBI/s320/IMG_0046.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue rope leading down the leeward side</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqS17Cv5FI/AAAAAAAABcU/JA9uRnY53fY/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqS17Cv5FI/AAAAAAAABcU/JA9uRnY53fY/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we lost yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqTS2B1ACI/AAAAAAAABcc/Eap7xsROBVo/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqTS2B1ACI/AAAAAAAABcc/Eap7xsROBVo/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great indication that we're going the wrong way</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqTurA-JRI/AAAAAAAABcg/X4Kj-hyPv2I/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqTurA-JRI/AAAAAAAABcg/X4Kj-hyPv2I/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how horror movies begin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqUCBwIl6I/AAAAAAAABck/3AYpjGrYEfs/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TUqUCBwIl6I/AAAAAAAABck/3AYpjGrYEfs/s320/IMG_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green at the end</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-11643811910752396462010-09-13T01:20:00.000-07:002010-09-13T02:08:02.262-07:00Bear Claw Ridge (Pu'u O Kona windward) - Kuli'ou'ou Ridge<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3Z2IkbM0I/AAAAAAAABY0/iV3eAhrOd8Y/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3Z2IkbM0I/AAAAAAAABY0/iV3eAhrOd8Y/s400/IMG_0116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insanity</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> September 12, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Hard - Mental<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 6<br />
<br />
HTMC vet Wing Ng put up a list on the internet called “Very Difficult Trails on Oahu” which catalogs a group of hikes rarely found in published circles, in ascending order of difficulty. You can read up on it here on http://www2.hawaii.edu/~turner/hikes/vd.htm <br />
<br />
Bear Claw Ridge, also known as Pu’u O Kona Windward, ranks number two; one above Piliwale Ridge, and just one below the elusive True Manamana. It actually consists of three ridges rising up from Waimanolo and meeting at around 1900 ft elevation, creating an image of a “claw.” I’m not sure if it looked like a bear’s claw. We agreed it was more like a T-rex’s. Whatever. I didn’t name it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3Z5-A4xOI/AAAAAAAABY8/xDWsuAgFQ7s/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3Z5-A4xOI/AAAAAAAABY8/xDWsuAgFQ7s/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Jason, Me, Jeremy. Bear Claw in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3Z-K_NBZI/AAAAAAAABZE/fRimMoO7CfY/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3Z-K_NBZI/AAAAAAAABZE/fRimMoO7CfY/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear or T-rex?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Two are possible without the use of equipment. Getting to the right ridge (as you’re looking at it) either involved an hour of brush breaking or walking through someone’s back door. The left ridge was the only one with a direct open route. That’s the one I chose. Having already achieved Piliwale, I jumped at the chance to attack this supposed “very hard” hike, as always thinking, “How hard could it be?” It’s the 173Hiking motto. Sweet, a challenge.<br />
<br />
Usually, ridge hikes on Oahu present a standard progression of events, as if by the numbers. First is a steep, exhausting climb to gain some ridge. Second is a choice of one or more of these options: good views, narrow ridges, or steep rock climbs. Third is overgrowth (pick your plant, but it’s usually those damn ulehe fern). Fourth is a great view from the summit, or a bunch of rain clouds. After all that, everything culminates in an anticlimactic descent wherever you decide to go. Pau.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aB9aVckI/AAAAAAAABZM/WRIPWJpsp_8/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aB9aVckI/AAAAAAAABZM/WRIPWJpsp_8/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a rock overlooking Waimanolo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aFAVdQ4I/AAAAAAAABZU/NnBUEGFqpyo/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aFAVdQ4I/AAAAAAAABZU/NnBUEGFqpyo/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladybug keeping us company</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Holy cow! Not this hike! Those rules went the way of disposable diapers. It began gently and ended with a red hot branding iron in our asses. As we progressed along the route, it upgraded difficulty levels like how a World of Warcraft power gamer upgrades their leotard-wearing fairy rank. Sane to off-your-rocker in two miles!<br />
<br />
Where I turned around during my scouting mission (about 1300 ft) was about where serious climbing began. It wasn’t anything I haven’t done before, so I assumed that a steep climb through overgrowth was as bad as it got. WRONG! Granted, there was no trail, and I knew that brush breaking was a must. There was no fern, which I found interesting. Instead, there were plenty of little trees. Lots of little trees. A LOT of little trees with very, very strong branches. None of them would give way, making this portion (1300 – 1800 ft) a slow, methodical climb, weaving over and under tree limbs while swatting away the buzzing bees around my head. I knew that bees have collective intelligence, so when one knows where you are, THEY ALL KNOW WHERE YOU ARE. Needless to say, I had to move quickly to make it hard for them to pinpoint my location. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aKz58YaI/AAAAAAAABZc/xUUwOW1sSmA/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aKz58YaI/AAAAAAAABZc/xUUwOW1sSmA/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason, through the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aP58qmyI/AAAAAAAABZk/2d-RShk723Y/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aP58qmyI/AAAAAAAABZk/2d-RShk723Y/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees changed colors, but there are still so many of them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I’m not going to go into too much detail, but I will say the words "ridge," "narrow," "steep," and, "crumbly" a lot. From this point, the experience went something like this. The ridge leveled off, instilling the false sense of “home free.” Take pictures and enjoy yourself now. Last chance. Next, the ridge got narrow (literally one foot wide). Then the ridge remained narrow and became very crumbly. As if that wasn’t enough, narrow and crumbly became narrow, crumbly, steep, and steeper. After it leveled off again, the walk along the narrow ridge (still one foot wide) became a pay per view MMA battle against those damned trees making a huge comeback, ON THE ONE FOOT WIDE RIDGE!!! Finally, the Coup De Gras finale was a 50 foot climb up a fairly steep scramble on a “wider” ridge, which was nothing but loose soil, crumbly rock, and unstable vegetation. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aT8N2yuI/AAAAAAAABZs/xeTwQNVTDJQ/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aT8N2yuI/AAAAAAAABZs/xeTwQNVTDJQ/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating tree infested rock dikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aYZyTShI/AAAAAAAABZ0/P_gUkiDstyM/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aYZyTShI/AAAAAAAABZ0/P_gUkiDstyM/s320/IMG_0094.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow to the extreme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Summiting Pu’u O Kona seemed to come at just the right time. Just in time to change my pants. While Piliwale was overall, more satisfying to complete due to its length, elevation and magnitude, the experience and exhilaration going up Bear Claw ridge easily outclassed anything I’ve ever done before. Jason felt that Piliwale was a more dangerous endeavor, and I agree. However, although not as “dangerous,” the scare factor on Bear Claw Ridge is insane. To its credit, it maintained a high level of sadistic excitement to the end, the view was fantastic, and it was as original and spontaneous as a trail can get. Great hike. Short and crazy. Oh, and no rope, just the way we like it.<br />
<br />
<strong>NOTE:</strong> There is NO trail beyond the power lines (500 ft elevation). Stay true to the ridge, keep your center of gravity low, and test each step before taking them. The plants on the 50 ft final push WILL NOT HOLD. Inch your way up slowly and keep a cool head.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3abB1uT4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/ornkn0b2Aog/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3abB1uT4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/ornkn0b2Aog/s320/Picture2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satelite image of the ridges that make up Bear Claw Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aekVr1pI/AAAAAAAABaE/BTurEg04M4U/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3aekVr1pI/AAAAAAAABaE/BTurEg04M4U/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging on to fight the vertigo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3ainRoNjI/AAAAAAAABaM/OjdNamw57ZA/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3ainRoNjI/AAAAAAAABaM/OjdNamw57ZA/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the EASY part</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3arofjWEI/AAAAAAAABac/1F-0l8lidqc/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3arofjWEI/AAAAAAAABac/1F-0l8lidqc/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final push to the summit of O Kona</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3av5XGhtI/AAAAAAAABak/75KXJZqapIk/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TI3av5XGhtI/AAAAAAAABak/75KXJZqapIk/s320/IMG_0128.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflecting on a new lease on life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-18647941933329848852010-09-05T02:40:00.000-07:002014-10-23T16:41:30.209-07:00Kahekili - Manamana - Crouching Lion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS4TQ503GI/AAAAAAAABWw/cIx_ScaQxCI/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS4TQ503GI/AAAAAAAABWw/cIx_ScaQxCI/s400/IMG_0031.JPG" height="283" ox="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gazing at the ocean blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>DATE:</b> September 5, 2010<br />
<b>TOTAL TIME:</b> 5 hrs<br />
<b>DIFFICULTY:</b> Medium - Hard<br />
<b>PARTICIPANTS:</b> “The Optimist” Jeremy, “Mp3” Stefanie, Me<br />
<b>REHIKE VALUE:</b> 8<br />
<br />
THIS is what I was expecting when I did Manamana a few months back. The traditional Manamana loop started off quickly and the initial climb was a whole lot of badass. Unfortunately, the initial experience was demolished when the rest of it consisted of breaking through 45 minutes worth of head high ulehe and a boring descent down a steep narrow ridge lined with strawberry guava trees, effectively blocking the excellent views and making it too easy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS4fXCjXnI/AAAAAAAABW4/Vl8Iy_xQs9o/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS4fXCjXnI/AAAAAAAABW4/Vl8Iy_xQs9o/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Jeremy, Stefanie, Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS4qJCJ06I/AAAAAAAABXA/X7A6_pfZN2w/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS4qJCJ06I/AAAAAAAABXA/X7A6_pfZN2w/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Kahekili trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Kahekili – Manamana – Crouching Lion loop fixed all of that. The initial scramble was a combination of the ascents up Mt. Ka’ala and traditional Manamana. It featured narrow ridges, excellent views, and a steep climb that just … went … on … forever. The Kahekili hike is also known as the Hidden Valley trail because the route ends in a small valley tucked away at high elevation. A stream rolls down the middle of it, creating a few cascading waterfalls and swimming holes, eventually leading downstream to a larger waterfall which flows down into the valley below. <br />
<br />
Lately, my luck has been terrible when actually looking for flowing waterfalls. The ones I’ve sought out recently have either been dried up, or down to a leak. This time was no different. Water was down to a mere trickle and the pools, although filled, were stagnant. In case you’re wondering, my overall record to date (in Oahu) is in favor of success. I’m currently 9 – 5. Take that!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS46uy5ywI/AAAAAAAABXI/emxvWM7E9sQ/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS46uy5ywI/AAAAAAAABXI/emxvWM7E9sQ/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So it begins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS5O3ybjYI/AAAAAAAABXQ/16qu9daZPMo/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS5O3ybjYI/AAAAAAAABXQ/16qu9daZPMo/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Narrow" is the operative word</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS56vqX3JI/AAAAAAAABXY/04a8vFsrUIY/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS56vqX3JI/AAAAAAAABXY/04a8vFsrUIY/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No luck this day with the waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Connecting to the Manamana trail did involve about 30 minutes worth of climbing through some overgrowth, but the difference was that I knew how this hike would end, and it was a blast. Rock dikes, steep descents, rock scrambles, and those oh-so-awesome narrow ridges with the “legendary” drop-offs. I noticed that the “safer bypass” sign was missing, which would have sucked for the less experienced. Ignorance "could" be bliss though. We actually bypassed the bypass anyway and the rope provided along the way was extremely unnecessary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS6UJHF8DI/AAAAAAAABXg/ffRdloWDVgw/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS6UJHF8DI/AAAAAAAABXg/ffRdloWDVgw/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down the Manamana trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS61KsfUqI/AAAAAAAABXo/XLtEhBvDKVs/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS61KsfUqI/AAAAAAAABXo/XLtEhBvDKVs/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS7HCI1MQI/AAAAAAAABXw/vazjjvKWxic/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS7HCI1MQI/AAAAAAAABXw/vazjjvKWxic/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman versus wild</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We absolutely had to check out this whole Crouching Lion rock formation this time around since we previously blew it off. All I can say is, wow. What a way to end the hike. For anyone going up or down Manamana, the crouching lion route is the WAY TO GO! Stuart Ball’s suggestion for the trailhead needs to at least include this as an alternate. His revised edition is in serious need of revising because its just criminal to omit this experience from your itinerary. Lo and behold! It’s also a faster and less painful way to gain the ridge or go back down. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS7VeL2ShI/AAAAAAAABX4/JFwVhCWpg48/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS7VeL2ShI/AAAAAAAABX4/JFwVhCWpg48/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the Crouching Lion rock formation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS7v2sxHII/AAAAAAAABYA/BswxYN6KlKc/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS7v2sxHII/AAAAAAAABYA/BswxYN6KlKc/s320/IMG_0097.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlas lost his day job</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I cannot say enough about this hike. Anyone thinking of hiking the Manamana loop should just forget it and do this variation instead. Granted, you won’t get to the Kahana Valley overlook, but that’s like giving me a skateboard in exchange for my Ford Mustang. If you really have a hard-on for a view of Kahana Valley, go up Pu’u Piei, as it provides a more complete vantage point. After today, I truly feel that there’s a brand new entry in my overall top five favorite hikes on the island.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS74UjIz5I/AAAAAAAABYI/DKEouFT28wk/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS74UjIz5I/AAAAAAAABYI/DKEouFT28wk/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The world is our playground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS8VcQ_3PI/AAAAAAAABYQ/H3RfhPtykCQ/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS8VcQ_3PI/AAAAAAAABYQ/H3RfhPtykCQ/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back from where we came</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS81F59kEI/AAAAAAAABYY/b5eKVflfWy8/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS81F59kEI/AAAAAAAABYY/b5eKVflfWy8/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satisfaction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS9K5BbwGI/AAAAAAAABYg/vyDABub83k0/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS9K5BbwGI/AAAAAAAABYg/vyDABub83k0/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rope is for pansies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS9YaK1l1I/AAAAAAAABYo/EKLJGFqHGLA/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIS9YaK1l1I/AAAAAAAABYo/EKLJGFqHGLA/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out as the end nears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-58110924514307403002010-09-04T03:06:00.000-07:002010-09-05T03:43:23.941-07:00Koko Crater Rim (Extended)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIN0H-76i7I/AAAAAAAABWk/Xkf5cwtVw7I/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TIN0H-76i7I/AAAAAAAABWk/Xkf5cwtVw7I/s400/IMG_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Destination: Somewhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> September 4, 2010<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3 hrs</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Medium</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Rambo” Jeremy, “Bloody” Jean, “FOB” Hope, Me</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 3</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I’ve done the crater rim twice before, both with different approaches. I decided to see if it was possible to navigate the terrain to the stone arch bridge from the Lanai lava tube without using the road, so this was an experiment, much to the dismay of our group’s brand new addition, Hope, from Montana. Welcome to 173Hiking! Congratulations, you’re an involuntary guinea pig.</div><br />
Instead of donning his usual sombrero today to shade his hairless beacon, Jeremy brought along a very obnoxious wig. One that looked like it was scalped from Little Ritchie in the later years, or Adam Sandler in the “Wedding Singer.” It would just freaking crush Donald Trump’s unwieldy hairdo in a Rogaine audition. Very nice.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINsi24gbOI/AAAAAAAABVY/8J3lYz1LA7g/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINsi24gbOI/AAAAAAAABVY/8J3lYz1LA7g/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Hope, Me, Jean, Jeremy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINtOguA6FI/AAAAAAAABVg/r00l2x4X3FU/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINtOguA6FI/AAAAAAAABVg/r00l2x4X3FU/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Ritchie called; he wants his hair back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I won’t talk much about the rim as I’ve already done so for the previous editions. The “unknown” portion from the lava tube to the natural bridge was … interesting … to say the least. Actually, it was extremely annoying and was more technically difficult than the straightforward approach from the Haluna Blowhole. Hence, the “medium” rating. There was no path. As far as terrain navigation was concerned, it was a case of pure dead reckoning. My lab rats were pissed.<br />
<br />
We had to find our way over four crumbly spurs, facing pretty steep terrain all the way. We did find another cave of some sort tucked away in the side of one spur, but our priority was to get to the natural bridge. I have to give mad props to Hope for making this her first hike with us as it would be pretty hairy to any newcomer, especially one who had only just moved here five days prior. I’m just spreading some Aloha. E komo mai. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINuKThq-FI/AAAAAAAABVo/WDKm08wR7sY/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINuKThq-FI/AAAAAAAABVo/WDKm08wR7sY/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of crumbly and lots of steep</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINu6ZzsEzI/AAAAAAAABVw/w_LraLbAQcM/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINu6ZzsEzI/AAAAAAAABVw/w_LraLbAQcM/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a trail through dry and arid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In strict terms of completion, this extended version of Koko Crater Rim was a success… to the extent that I’ll probably never do it again. There was no real sense of accomplishment, unless you’re Hope (good job!). The consensus feeling after making it to the natural bridge was a lot of “thank God that’s over!” or “what was the point of that?” or my favorite, “there better be hot chicks on the top of Kokohead.” Surprise, surprise, there WERE good looking women at the top. VERY good looking women. Lots of them. And a bunch of USC fans (Fight On!). Of course, in true Bang Daddy fashion, I took an extended break up top to, um, “network.” Pretty productive day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvMG73CII/AAAAAAAABV4/TYAghVyzdIU/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvMG73CII/AAAAAAAABV4/TYAghVyzdIU/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvTNcfjHI/AAAAAAAABWA/Yxq3tBDwqww/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvTNcfjHI/AAAAAAAABWA/Yxq3tBDwqww/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing is impossible</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvlmUXZeI/AAAAAAAABWI/_UW6Y2iHTeY/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvlmUXZeI/AAAAAAAABWI/_UW6Y2iHTeY/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The world is for the taking</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvvDtqQ-I/AAAAAAAABWQ/5crCUIUG2kk/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINvvDtqQ-I/AAAAAAAABWQ/5crCUIUG2kk/s320/IMG_0056.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caution and concentration</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINwUGmGP4I/AAAAAAAABWY/vINnDwH4Lp0/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TINwUGmGP4I/AAAAAAAABWY/vINnDwH4Lp0/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Within the sandbox</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-74299184878338486402010-08-29T04:39:00.000-07:002010-09-02T02:47:05.867-07:00Kuli'ou'ou Ridge - Pu'u O Kona<strong></strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzlw_6l4WI/AAAAAAAABTs/XfBoh5ZVou0/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzlw_6l4WI/AAAAAAAABTs/XfBoh5ZVou0/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veni, Vidi, Vici!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> August 29, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 4.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy - Medium<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, “The Optimist” Jeremy, “Sigmund Freud” Jenn, “Gravity” Jo, “MP3” Stefanie, “Shave Ice Nazi” Athena, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 7<br />
<br />
Clear weather this day as we took on one of my favorite hikes on the island. Great views, relatively easy walk, and a little sense of danger to spice things up. I refer to the Kuli’ou’ou – Pu’u O Kona loop as the most advanced “girly hike” in my inventory. By the way, I want to credit Jason for coming up with the term “girly hike” and take zero responsibility for the estrogen driven repercussions. <br />
<br />
Last time I did this, rain clouds ruled the mountains making me reluctant to complete the loop. Aside from the short burst of rain that passed over us, I couldn’t have asked for better hiking conditions. Dry ground, clear trail, low ceiling, and super strong winds that threatened to blow us off the ridge with every step we took. Fun!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzl1gSg-QI/AAAAAAAABT0/3clt5vmI-hM/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzl1gSg-QI/AAAAAAAABT0/3clt5vmI-hM/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Me, Jo, Jeremy, Jenn, Athena, Jason, Stefanie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmLGFxrAI/AAAAAAAABT8/ndm-g97lRro/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmLGFxrAI/AAAAAAAABT8/ndm-g97lRro/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No obstacle is too great</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I want to acknowledge that this was “Gravity” Jo’s first hike back with us ever since the Mt. Olympus – K2 incident a couple of months back. Seemed like she had a chip on her shoulder from that experience, tackling the narrow ridges and high winds in earnest. Don’t know why. All I did was give her encouraging crap about the whole incident and never letting her live it down. Positive reinforcement or something. Nice job.<br />
<br />
Most of the climb was as I remembered it. A pleasant ascent through breezy pine forests accompanied by fantastic views of southeast Oahu. The prominent “End of Hiking Trail” sign greeted us at the apex, inviting us to venture further along the Ko’olau summit. The extremely high winds increased the hiking value considerably and made it slightly harder to perform cartwheels atop the narrow ridgeline. <br />
<br />
As most of my hikes have something to do with some crazy future excursion, this one doubled as a top down reconnaissance of a ridge trail I’m planning on attempting. The clear weather allowed for a full visual assessment, a sign that the hike was meant to be, much to Jason’s mortified objections. Details of the plan will only be disclosed near the execution date.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmaDOGc3I/AAAAAAAABUE/ZoYCuQ3_LXQ/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmaDOGc3I/AAAAAAAABUE/ZoYCuQ3_LXQ/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind picks up and Jo isn't happy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmkiuBYDI/AAAAAAAABUM/d_Vu0lnfTWg/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmkiuBYDI/AAAAAAAABUM/d_Vu0lnfTWg/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olomana, Kailua, and Waimanolo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmzQWzsgI/AAAAAAAABUU/hZ9BhZXuZr8/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzmzQWzsgI/AAAAAAAABUU/hZ9BhZXuZr8/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great achievements come with great efforts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The latter half of the loop involved semi-steep descents along narrow walkways and crumbly rock. The wind really picked up on this portion, pegging my fun meter and putting a smile on my face. I was actually blown off trail when I attempted to run along a thin portion of the ridge and jump over a small gap. Maybe my shoelaces were untied. Disneyland all over again. <br />
<br />
Relatively easy and short enough for a relaxing pace, the Kuli’ou’ou – Pu’u O Kona loop remains as one of my favorite hikes. Unless you’re a die-hard water baby, this hike has all the bonuses and minimal danger. Strongly recommended for armchair adventurists and their pet monkeys. What?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzm2vQzvyI/AAAAAAAABUc/DtqxHJi3QKI/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzm2vQzvyI/AAAAAAAABUc/DtqxHJi3QKI/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A breather at the picnic tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THznNylre2I/AAAAAAAABUk/ymQqXWeTuVg/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THznNylre2I/AAAAAAAABUk/ymQqXWeTuVg/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beatings will continue until motivation improves</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzndP8s27I/AAAAAAAABUs/RCgm9UpfXfM/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzndP8s27I/AAAAAAAABUs/RCgm9UpfXfM/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expanse of challenge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THznqYINz-I/AAAAAAAABU0/m2RDKLmsxMk/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THznqYINz-I/AAAAAAAABU0/m2RDKLmsxMk/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamwork and determination</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzn3hsGAeI/AAAAAAAABU8/OyugCBRIcDE/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THzn3hsGAeI/AAAAAAAABU8/OyugCBRIcDE/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm after storm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-25104328276447773622010-08-28T23:18:00.000-07:002010-08-31T15:09:19.392-07:00Anamolo 2 (Reverse Olomana)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5HmnNPBI/AAAAAAAABSw/VNH97_e2ewU/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5HmnNPBI/AAAAAAAABSw/VNH97_e2ewU/s400/IMG_0130.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the view from the backside of Pu'u Ahiki (third peak)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> August 28, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 4 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Hard<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE</strong>: 6<br />
<br />
Although much easier this time around, Anamolo (Olomana backwards) was still somewhat challenging. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to attempt the climb without using the Eisenhower rope, I couldn’t. <br />
<br />
I had company for this second go ahead, so things didn’t seem so bad this time around. Also, since it was Saturday, we ran into more people on the regular trail, all wondering if we broke out of some psycho institution on the other side of peak three. There was this one girl who was scared out of her wits coming down the second peak. I tried to comfort her by telling her that only one out of a hundred die on the trail. Her boyfriend was not pleased.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5NOcehSI/AAAAAAAABS4/iwtKxlVwvMc/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5NOcehSI/AAAAAAAABS4/iwtKxlVwvMc/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy and me on the third (first) peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5ZnL1WJI/AAAAAAAABTA/0h7qtHJhC1Q/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5ZnL1WJI/AAAAAAAABTA/0h7qtHJhC1Q/s320/IMG_0127.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The indespensable Eisenhower rope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We should have blasted this trail, but we had a lot of fun sitting atop peak two watching other people make zero progress along the hike. The guy up there with us also had beer, so I sat my okole down and helped lighten his load. Much more fun doing this hike with others. One piece of advice, beware the last ledge before summiting the third peak. The rock wall concaves in so the climb actually calls for a little bit of pure upper body strength. “Someone” (not saying who) required lots of assistance at this portion. That someone was not me.<br />
<br />
For more information about this hike, read my older blog entry (August 26, 2010).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5lg2Lv4I/AAAAAAAABTI/a1l6LuAAME8/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5lg2Lv4I/AAAAAAAABTI/a1l6LuAAME8/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the initial climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn50-KZKCI/AAAAAAAABTQ/QhluaUixyUA/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn50-KZKCI/AAAAAAAABTQ/QhluaUixyUA/s320/IMG_0126.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silent grove</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5_S_M2XI/AAAAAAAABTY/NH1fr5aGDhU/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn5_S_M2XI/AAAAAAAABTY/NH1fr5aGDhU/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweat and conquest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn6F9bPk2I/AAAAAAAABTg/AInpzh5EngY/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THn6F9bPk2I/AAAAAAAABTg/AInpzh5EngY/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the third, going to the first</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-46531304992020162982010-08-26T17:12:00.000-07:002010-08-27T17:59:27.336-07:00Anamolo (Reverse Olomana)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhZmgbVkeI/AAAAAAAABRM/H34UpEAPPVI/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhZmgbVkeI/AAAAAAAABRM/H34UpEAPPVI/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olomana, from the backside</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> August 26, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Hard<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 6<br />
<br />
This was supposed to be just a scouting mission, finding the route, accessing the difficulty and whatnot. Needless to say… that didn’t exactly happen the way it was planned. I didn’t even wear my super grip hiking shoes for this one, not expecting to need it until I did the actual hike. So much for that! With about half my ration of water, and my running shoes, I went off to “scout” the route.<br />
<br />
Finding a route to the base of the third peak didn’t prove too difficult as there was either an actual trail or a clear beaten path through the woods. Didn’t hurt to have my Garmin 60csx with me as I ended up pretty disoriented a couple of times. Basically, I had to gain the Aniani Nui Ridge and follow it all the way to the third peak. I’m totally convinced there’s a shorter way and will have to scout that out next time. If not, I have a surefire route.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhaJIzQGsI/AAAAAAAABRU/DlCAtr7ZbpQ/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhaJIzQGsI/AAAAAAAABRU/DlCAtr7ZbpQ/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome clearing along the way</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhai-qLSmI/AAAAAAAABRc/6r5B2Z4lEXg/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhai-qLSmI/AAAAAAAABRc/6r5B2Z4lEXg/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the Aniani Nui Ridge and the Ko'olau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Long story short, I moved uncharacteristically slowly and made it to the base of Pu’u Ahiki (third peak) in about an hour and a half. I looked up and noticed a couple of people staring at me from the third peak, probably thinking I was off my rocker. I mean, seriously? Who the hell would attempt climbing Olomana from behind? I must admit, that played a part in me deciding to climb it. As usual, I was thinking, how bad could it be? Yes, I was alone. Not smart.<br />
<br />
Wow. The first 50 feet was about vertical. Freaking vertical. What made matters worse was that hand and footholds were few and far between. There were old ropes to aid my ascent, but being who I am, I despise rope. Especially ones that look like they’ve been there since the Eisenhower administration. To make matters worse, I had to squeeze through a small space between a tree and a very hard boulder, making it feel like an audition for one of those Chinese acrobat circuses. It was extremely unnerving.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhbDbqiIwI/AAAAAAAABRk/bsX2W-ERcI8/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhbDbqiIwI/AAAAAAAABRk/bsX2W-ERcI8/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the base of Pu'u Ahiki</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhbWIL12AI/AAAAAAAABRs/sKyUcnWQQvU/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhbWIL12AI/AAAAAAAABRs/sKyUcnWQQvU/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Steep" is an understatement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After the color returned to my face, I looked up and became all albino when I noticed an even worse ascent. 90 degrees, higher, and almost zero hand and footholds. Ugh, and the Eisenhower rope! As I was contemplating my death, the two people staring at me from the third peak showed up on the ledge above me. We kinda stood there looking at each other in disbelief for awhile as neither of us thought there was any way in hell we’d run into anyone on the backside of the third peak. I climbed up to join them.<br />
<br />
It was our lucky day. They didn’t want to go back up the third peak, and I had already decided not to go back down. We exchanged car keys and agreed to drive over to whoever finished last. I wasn’t too worried as our cars were equal in value. At least we didn’t have to worry about transportation. Sweet. So it became a race. Total BS race because I had a lot of uphill left, and it was all downhill for them. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhboxLloXI/AAAAAAAABR0/feippcwSnZQ/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhboxLloXI/AAAAAAAABR0/feippcwSnZQ/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May look daunting, but this is the easy part</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhb7va3x1I/AAAAAAAABR8/yqKAEWiCVxM/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhb7va3x1I/AAAAAAAABR8/yqKAEWiCVxM/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward Waimanolo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Climbing up the rest of the third peak wasn’t too hard. Steep, crumbly, but doable. I tied some more rope at the weird concave ledge near the top to aid any future climbers in their attempt because the cable that was already there was questionable at best. Took me about 28 minutes to get to the first peak from there. Pretty slow by my standards. About eight minutes slower than the last time. After doing the backside of the third peak, I pretty much laughed my way up the second peak wondering why it was so hard when I did it the first time. Yes, the other two hikers beat me and were waiting at the regular trailhead for about 20 minutes before I showed up. Pissed me off to no end.<br />
<br />
Anamolo (Olomana backwards) was no Piliwale, but it has its scary moments. The long approach is nowhere near as taxing or steep as the traditional climb up the first peak. Wear better shoes than I did, update your last will and testament, and pray that the old ropes don’t suddenly decide that it’s just not your day. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhcG0R7tLI/AAAAAAAABSE/fJKiOvChRm0/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhcG0R7tLI/AAAAAAAABSE/fJKiOvChRm0/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be alive ... again</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhcZK8trYI/AAAAAAAABSM/3jm1Y3gY1kg/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhcZK8trYI/AAAAAAAABSM/3jm1Y3gY1kg/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What would a climb on Oahu be without crumbly rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhcxfAZV3I/AAAAAAAABSU/iQsULAfFuJk/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhcxfAZV3I/AAAAAAAABSU/iQsULAfFuJk/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old looped cable attached to an old loose metal anchor ... no thanks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhdCZzuRDI/AAAAAAAABSc/Q7zHH3P2a8E/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhdCZzuRDI/AAAAAAAABSc/Q7zHH3P2a8E/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laid some rope to complement the old cable</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhdUY5UAhI/AAAAAAAABSk/Zmw89iJJwLQ/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THhdUY5UAhI/AAAAAAAABSk/Zmw89iJJwLQ/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home free</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-71481917984273452482010-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:002010-08-26T03:33:35.902-07:00Pali Notches 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY8kIimlfI/AAAAAAAABP0/-yPmeeGINTw/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY8kIimlfI/AAAAAAAABP0/-yPmeeGINTw/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyond the notches</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> August 25, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 2 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Hard<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 8<br />
<br />
This one was Jeremy’s idea. He wanted to do a hike before he had to work at 1500, and suggested Pali Puka. Since it was so short, I decided to combine both Pali Puka and Pali Notches hike. Both begin at the Pali Lookout. <br />
<br />
Hah! No parking fee this time. Kama’aina mofo. I learned from the last time I did this hike and saved myself three bucks. Boo-yah! <br />
<br />
We took some pictures at the lookout, doing the tourist thing and enjoying the wind. After that, we strolled down to where the eleventy billion trails were to begin our ascent to the Pali Notches. Then, BAM! BAM! BAM! Twenty minutes later we were at the notches. I love this hike. No warmup walk. No slow start. No Mickey Mouse horseshit. Just a straight up climb and you’re there. That’s how it should be. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY9oXX8AXI/AAAAAAAABQA/5mZqLvVXiEg/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY9oXX8AXI/AAAAAAAABQA/5mZqLvVXiEg/s320/IMG_0071.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing comes quickly and furiously</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY-SbejTJI/AAAAAAAABQI/2J3dui1_XEM/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY-SbejTJI/AAAAAAAABQI/2J3dui1_XEM/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done with the initial climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The weather wasn’t as good as the first time I did this, but it was clear enough, giving us the same spectacular views of Nu’uanu Valley and the windward side. Unfortunately, there were no cute girls this time to chat with while on the notches. Can’t be lucky all the time, I guess. This time, there was buku rope at the second notch. Kudos to whoever put them there because it really sped up the process of me getting down. The walk to the rock nub on the far side of the notches was routine. Lots of wind, crumbly dirt, and plants that love to get in my way. As we were discussing how to best navigate our way past the nub, we noticed we were getting down to crunch time and decided to call it a day. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY-ypFUF5I/AAAAAAAABQQ/Bc9jXFT_jD4/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY-ypFUF5I/AAAAAAAABQQ/Bc9jXFT_jD4/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly installed ropes help the descent</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY_KHOQFuI/AAAAAAAABQY/P3nr1ETf6Bc/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY_KHOQFuI/AAAAAAAABQY/P3nr1ETf6Bc/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the nub and beyond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I would like to dedicate more time to the trail past the notches. The climb from there up to Konahuanui K1 looks doable, albeit freaking mental. It seems as steep as Piliwale, if not steeper, but extremely exposed, adding another ride to my sadistic theme park. Definitely not a place to bring a date, unless she’s the psycho type. If so, keep your rabbits safe and the knives out of the bedroom.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY_ir51nxI/AAAAAAAABQg/TdsOQBNs_NA/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY_ir51nxI/AAAAAAAABQg/TdsOQBNs_NA/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating the second notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY_-CRsf8I/AAAAAAAABQo/jgEdyoYz7lc/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY_-CRsf8I/AAAAAAAABQo/jgEdyoYz7lc/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail beyond the notches</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THZATGvP-ZI/AAAAAAAABQw/WT8Mc5aTom8/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THZATGvP-ZI/AAAAAAAABQw/WT8Mc5aTom8/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windswept ridge leaves dry branches</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THZAvGb9gcI/AAAAAAAABQ4/2MHFPNC3KHM/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THZAvGb9gcI/AAAAAAAABQ4/2MHFPNC3KHM/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contemplating at the nub</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THZBI_d6lXI/AAAAAAAABRA/Oxx-DlKWN88/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THZBI_d6lXI/AAAAAAAABRA/Oxx-DlKWN88/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making our way down to the Pali Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-8876882791739572292010-08-25T02:45:00.000-07:002010-08-26T03:00:28.033-07:00Pali Puka<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYv5M11H9I/AAAAAAAABOc/tp7PGIDTpOQ/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYv5M11H9I/AAAAAAAABOc/tp7PGIDTpOQ/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the ridge overlooking Windward Oahu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> August 25, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 1 hr<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 8<br />
<br />
This one was Jeremy’s idea. He wanted to do a hike before he had to work at 1500, and suggested Pali Puka. Since it was so short, I decided to combine both Pali Puka and Pali Notches hike. Both begin at the Pali Lookout. <br />
<br />
Pali Puka is an awesome hike. Through and through. It doesn’t bullshit around with a long approach and gets down to climbing as soon as you walk through the bamboo covered “trailhead.” This entrance is pretty cool because you can’t see it unless you’re looking directly at it from the front. Felt like a superhero hideout, or somewhere in a treasure hunt story marking something very very bad. So up we went.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYwLmHEtUI/AAAAAAAABOk/dsmgH_Fdix0/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYwLmHEtUI/AAAAAAAABOk/dsmgH_Fdix0/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at our hike ahead</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYwsK9vlvI/AAAAAAAABOs/cuvaFIC-tLM/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYwsK9vlvI/AAAAAAAABOs/cuvaFIC-tLM/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "trailhead" next to the bus parking lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The hike is super short with great views, and you get to break for lunch under the massive 200 ft tall monolith of a cliff face while enjoying the breeze and the sights. There’s a pretty neat hole in the rocks (puka) that act as a window into the windward valley, so I did the appropriate thing and mooned the windward communities. No, I didn’t, but it crossed my mind. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYxQPDLP8I/AAAAAAAABO0/Yy4tgGrAROk/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYxQPDLP8I/AAAAAAAABO0/Yy4tgGrAROk/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy and the windward window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I’ve heard from somewhere that the hole was manmade and had something to do with the Battle of Nu’uanu, just like the Pali Notches. Many sources say that they mounted cannons at both locations, but there hasn’t been any solid evidence. Regardless, they now provide great lunch spots.<br />
<br />
Climbing the super vertical rock face looks daunting, especially without the proper equipment. Legendary Chuck Godek did it decades ago, but he was also insane. Now, climbing up the left side in the trees looks absolutely doable, and would be the most efficient way to gain the ridgeline, which eventually leads to the top of Pu’u Lanihuli. I’ll have to add that to my to do list.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYyXDVtJUI/AAAAAAAABPA/G4nXQpsAQ-Y/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THYyXDVtJUI/AAAAAAAABPA/G4nXQpsAQ-Y/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Disneyland for the insane</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY0AIaq5AI/AAAAAAAABPM/JDJKRICgmOU/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY0AIaq5AI/AAAAAAAABPM/JDJKRICgmOU/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson Tunnels cut into the mountainside</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY0br_WtdI/AAAAAAAABPU/j7DCBR81CCg/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY0br_WtdI/AAAAAAAABPU/j7DCBR81CCg/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear view of the Pali Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY0oI1b-uI/AAAAAAAABPc/fm9HsXOK_aI/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY0oI1b-uI/AAAAAAAABPc/fm9HsXOK_aI/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Geographic worthy, or a Geico commercial reject</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY5NRnui-I/AAAAAAAABPo/ApNnq9yuXKA/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THY5NRnui-I/AAAAAAAABPo/ApNnq9yuXKA/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Height perspective of the cliff face blocking my access to Lanihuli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-70208710552109063232010-08-21T05:47:00.000-07:002010-08-23T15:10:05.096-07:00Piliwale Ridge - Konahuanui K1 & K2 - Nu'uanu - Judd Point<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEd2SsVcdI/AAAAAAAABMc/jue476uqlhE/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEd2SsVcdI/AAAAAAAABMc/jue476uqlhE/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fearlessly tackling Piliwale</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> August 21, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 8.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Hard<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, “Loafer” Mike, “Hangover” Lynnale, “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 5<br />
<br />
Piliwale Ridge, pioneered by the legendary Silver Piliwale himself. For the past two months, I had been preparing for this monster, searching for all documentation, studying the topographic maps, and carefully choosing hikes which required okole-busting climbs and plowing through undergrowth. I had meticulously scouted the ridge, assessed the dangers, and assembled the best team I could from my group for our first time climb. I even took a week off from hiking to mentally prepare. The weather was uncharacteristically awesome for three weeks. It was a sign. The time had come.<br />
<br />
Wow, I was horribly disappointed! Fail. I even had to downgrade the difficulty on this one because it didn’t fulfill the “Mental” criteria. Don’t get me wrong, the danger level was high, but hardly worrisome. As long as you’re careful and keep a cool head, you’ll be absolutely fine. On a side note, after all my careful preparation, I was a bad boy the night before this hike, going on a booze cruise and only getting four hours of sleep. Maybe the hangover took the edge off? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEetCVqRHI/AAAAAAAABMk/bQ5MKie-ga0/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEetCVqRHI/AAAAAAAABMk/bQ5MKie-ga0/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">At the top of Konahuanui K1. Left to right: Me, Jeremy, Jason, Lynnale</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEfkvsbedI/AAAAAAAABMs/cFuWTwus6Gw/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEfkvsbedI/AAAAAAAABMs/cFuWTwus6Gw/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the climb from the notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We started pretty early because recent reports of three climbs from the month of July documented time ranges anywhere from six hours to two days. I didn’t want to be caught in the predicament of losing daylight. My worries were overkill. I was glad that I found a better trailhead than carjack point on the Pali though. It ended up shortening the hike to the Piliwale junction by about 10 minutes. And it was a nice neighborhood.</div><br />
Timeline:<br />
• 07:27 – Stepped off from water tank road trailhead.<br />
• 08:20 – Arrived at “the notch.”<br />
• 08:30 – Commenced climbing.<br />
• 10:01 – Passed the “danger zone.”<br />
• 12:03 – Summited Konahuanui K1. Met two guys who wanted to climb down Piliwale. I offered to accompany them. They decided not to go. I think they thought I was crazy. Jason told me to go fuck myself. He was pau.<br />
• 12:30 – Began traversing KST to K2 (weather cleared up. Pictures!).<br />
• 13:15 – Reached K2. Signed the guestbook.<br />
• 13:30 – Departed K2.<br />
• 14:48 – Arrived at the Nu’uanu lookout. Squeezed muddy water from my socks.<br />
• 14:58 – Departed for Judd Point via the Honolului Contour trail.<br />
• 16:00 – Arrived at Jackass Ginger.<br />
• 17:17 – Departed for Chinese food.<br />
<br />
Five of us began this hike. After a couple of falls right after the notch, Mike was spooked and decided not to go. I didn’t blame him. Piliwale wasn’t a hike anyone should do in the wrong state of mind. Plus, we were still beginning so I had no problem letting him go back by himself. Military guys. We self-sustain. He met up with us on the Nu’uanu trail smelling all rosy with sandals on. Dick. He did buy us dinner. It was expensive overall so I felt bad. I will be taking him back on Piliwale sometime soon. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEf7zIKNuI/AAAAAAAABM0/WqQyp_ECrN4/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEf7zIKNuI/AAAAAAAABM0/WqQyp_ECrN4/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun rises over the Koolau</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEpa6dsFtI/AAAAAAAABOQ/eSqJB6QVxe0/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEpa6dsFtI/AAAAAAAABOQ/eSqJB6QVxe0/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking up water tank road</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEgv6yMJcI/AAAAAAAABM8/j3b9jF7n4SY/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEgv6yMJcI/AAAAAAAABM8/j3b9jF7n4SY/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a breather before some serious climbing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was extremely surprised that Jason hung in there the entire hike. The guy is scared of heights and suffers from vertigo. AND the sky started to piss on us in the “danger zone.” He wasn’t too happy. Quite the opposite. I applaud him. Jeremy somehow ended up about 20 minutes ahead of us after the hairy portions and ended up sitting on some ledge, later bragging about how he was watching two birds repeatedly doing fly-bys over us. Lynnale, oh Lynnale. Girl is just insane. No fear. Loved being exposed. Attacked the ridge directly. Wanted more rock portions. On her phone texting the whole time. I love that girl.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEhIR1MfSI/AAAAAAAABNE/FuUu_14qSTQ/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEhIR1MfSI/AAAAAAAABNE/FuUu_14qSTQ/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This illustrates Jason's mood perfectly. Absolutely priceless</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEhkpKrFkI/AAAAAAAABNM/wzMwN9W4uro/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEhkpKrFkI/AAAAAAAABNM/wzMwN9W4uro/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way ahead of schedule</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Going up Piliwale was more annoying than scary. Again, if you’re careful (or in Lynnale’s case, crazy), you’ll be fine. At around 2,200 feet above sea level (so says my Garmin 60csx), the trail was overgrown. It was bullshit. We chatted about video games and movies to keep our mind off the brush breaking. I must say that Mr. Ulehe was our friend today, giving us plenty of things to hold on to. I was searching for this “narrow” portion of the ridge, but it lasted a whole 20 feet. After that, the BS recommenced… and continued… all the way to K1. I was also looking for Kaleo’s gear. Didn’t find squat. Fortunately, I also didn’t see any bees. Jason claimed he saw one but I think he just wanted to. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEiJnCtRPI/AAAAAAAABNU/xFKOVQI-gHs/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEiJnCtRPI/AAAAAAAABNU/xFKOVQI-gHs/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much making our own trail through this crap</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEjHGRd2yI/AAAAAAAABNg/WlsCosYHUDE/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEjHGRd2yI/AAAAAAAABNg/WlsCosYHUDE/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swampy conditions near the peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The weather was great in the saddle between K1 and K2. We named this portion the “choad” between the two fat large testicles (Konahuanui). After that, we were just tired, sluggishly making our way to Jackass Ginger to wash off the ton of mud we brought down from the Ko’olau. We did get a good look at both upper and lower Lulumahu Falls from ridge though, and they were flowing nicely. In retrospect, our route was unnecessarily long. After a four hour climb, and hiking on a small breakfast and a powerbar, I was just dragging ass getting to Judd Point. Should have ended on Tantalus, or gone back down Piliwale, but I really wanted to wash off at the swimming hole. Stubborn.<br />
<br />
I got left at the altar on this one. My expectations for the grand Piliwale were not met. It was like the alcohol had worn off and the hot chick I was hitting on ended up being Ron Jeremy. We roped it to death for future hikers. To really spice things up, consider doing this hike on a moonless night, after a week of heavy rain, and with two hands tied behind your back. Oh, and drunk. Good luck. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEji9wNkhI/AAAAAAAABNo/1PoReVdMVTE/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEji9wNkhI/AAAAAAAABNo/1PoReVdMVTE/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing from K1 to K2</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEkUnq9KJI/AAAAAAAABNw/tvq0-q9COn4/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEkUnq9KJI/AAAAAAAABNw/tvq0-q9COn4/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making our way to the Nu'uanu Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEmhfC3QSI/AAAAAAAABN8/lfd33sRm6p4/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEmhfC3QSI/AAAAAAAABN8/lfd33sRm6p4/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Lulumahu waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEnFsLjHZI/AAAAAAAABOE/xZfv_5zHtLQ/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/THEnFsLjHZI/AAAAAAAABOE/xZfv_5zHtLQ/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving the mud back to nature</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-72580298740491197972010-08-16T01:18:00.000-07:002010-08-16T01:18:57.100-07:00Ma'akua Gulch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjyNy72CDI/AAAAAAAABLw/PkXvegJWCYk/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjyNy72CDI/AAAAAAAABLw/PkXvegJWCYk/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ma'akua Gulch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 15 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 3<br />
<br />
Hmmm… A gulch hike. The last time I remember doing anything resembling a gulch hike was waaaaayyyy back when I was living in Malaysia, which by the way, is a trailblazer’s dream place. Full of rainforests, caves, and mountains… but the mosquitoes are so big that they need co-pilots. Needless to say, I was very excited about this one, even though everyone but Jason bailed on me at short notice (you rock Jason!).<br />
<br />
This is as bittersweet as a hike can get. The first two-thirds of it absolutely sucked, but the last mile in was just incredible. The latter portion balances this one out to a 50-50 but the loooooonnnnnggg and boring approach to the turnaround kills it for me. It’s really rare for me to feel so much elation and disappointment in the same outing. Imagine finally scoring a super hot date after months of trying, and that person makes you watch a massively shitty three and a half hour movie in one sitting with no drinks or popcorn. It’s pretty close.<br />
<br />
The stream was dry for the bulk of it so it saved us from conducting the millions of stream crossings needed if the water was gushing. Most of the trails were not well maintained, probably because it was a closed hike, so we had to either walk the rocky streambed or track obscure routes through some vegetation and lots of low hanging trees. Jason hit his head on one pretty hard while walking and digging in his snack pack. It was funny. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjxIeCLEPI/AAAAAAAABLg/mbCt_K6Va9Y/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjxIeCLEPI/AAAAAAAABLg/mbCt_K6Va9Y/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screw the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjxloboJ4I/AAAAAAAABLo/-EGlTJjv7kw/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjxloboJ4I/AAAAAAAABLo/-EGlTJjv7kw/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella of green fighting off the sunlight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then the valley walls closed in. Whoa! With towering cliffs on both sides, getting narrower and narrower, and nowhere to run, it was something else. Indiana Jones would have been proud. There were sections that were literally only about six feet across. We could see clear evidence of multiple 300+ foot waterfalls on these cliffs although they were not pouring. Even though the sight would’ve been intensely fantastic, I would imagine this hike to be extremely dangerous during the hurricane season from possible flash floods and falling rocks so common in gulches. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjwVzS6nPI/AAAAAAAABLQ/h_LQxLyYcBI/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjwVzS6nPI/AAAAAAAABLQ/h_LQxLyYcBI/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of high waterfalls during rainy weather</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjwu5h2u6I/AAAAAAAABLY/1uEkYY3ioAE/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjwu5h2u6I/AAAAAAAABLY/1uEkYY3ioAE/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gulch narrows to this extreme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The end required us to wade or swim through about two or three deep pools, all flowing from different sized small waterfalls. I didn’t go past the second pool as I was unprepared for a swim. Jason rope climbed to the third pool and said there were more ropes to climb up over another waterfall but didn’t make the attempt as we were short on time.<br />
<br />
Like I said, bittersweet. Turn around and walk through crap and awesome in reverse order. I’m interested to venture past the third waterfall and will make a return trip despite the hazards. Or I may use the old Castle trail to get a top down view and avoid the whole flash flood and falling rock possibility altogether. This is a great full day’s outing as you could probably spend hours messing around at the swimming holes. If you’re absolutely comfortable with boulders falling on your head or uncontrollably flailing around and drowning in a sudden rush of water, then do this during hurricane season. By the way, you’ll have zero bars on your cell phone. I wish you well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjv94BRulI/AAAAAAAABLI/23uFfbwIPdI/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjv94BRulI/AAAAAAAABLI/23uFfbwIPdI/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls close in the deeper we venture</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjvwR-9OaI/AAAAAAAABLA/aNwx8k2Sx44/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjvwR-9OaI/AAAAAAAABLA/aNwx8k2Sx44/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staring in awe at towering cliff faces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjvWjm9_TI/AAAAAAAABK4/jgBSHutwXYA/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGjvWjm9_TI/AAAAAAAABK4/jgBSHutwXYA/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wading back the way we came</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGju2Uscy2I/AAAAAAAABKw/yi-PM68VHgs/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGju2Uscy2I/AAAAAAAABKw/yi-PM68VHgs/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The insignificance of us all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-42689476615615194122010-08-15T01:37:00.000-07:002010-08-15T03:19:33.227-07:00Piliwale Ridge Recon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGelHDocwLI/AAAAAAAABKY/r2qqSwEX_1I/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGelHDocwLI/AAAAAAAABKY/r2qqSwEX_1I/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 14 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 2 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 0 (no need)<br />
<br />
Climbing Piliwale has been on my bucket list for some time now, and I wanted to gauge how long it would take to get to the infamous notch everyone talks about when mentioning the ridge. From there, I wanted to get a closer look at what Pat Rorie called the “danger zone” in his assessment after completing the hike in 2003. Check it out at http://htmclub.org/newsletters/htmnl03b.html. Note that Pat Rorie is an extremely experienced hiker and a HTMC veteran, and I would be a fool to take his words lightly as many have failed in their attempt to conquer this hike.<br />
<br />
It took us only one hour to get to the notch walking at a pretty relaxed pace. I’m not sure exactly where the dudes from two weeks ago ascended from that they had to break through all the ulehe fern. The trail looked pretty well maintained (a recent clearing crew perhaps?), so maybe they were just unlucky. It’ll be a break for us since time will be extremely valuable. Sweet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGek49xIamI/AAAAAAAABKQ/lqLys05eak4/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGek49xIamI/AAAAAAAABKQ/lqLys05eak4/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGeltT0N4bI/AAAAAAAABKg/4lvA1RWDa9E/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGeltT0N4bI/AAAAAAAABKg/4lvA1RWDa9E/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason, scouting out the notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I pulled out my Garmin 60csx GPS to measure the elevation at the notch and it was around 1700 feet. That gave us about 400 feet worth of “danger zone” to overcome. Views from both sides of ridge confirmed my suspicions that this area is no steeper than 65 degrees, which is within the YDS Class 4 range. Hazardous enough, but when combined with relatively high elevation and little lateral room for movement, the danger level increases significantly, perking me up faster than Rachel Leigh Cook ever could. Then there are reports of those fucking bees that may still be there. I have no idea if I’m allergic to bees, and this would be a very very bad place to find out.<br />
<br />
Past this area, the terrain seems to have a few relatively level areas and also much steeper sections (70 – 75 degrees), but nothing the length of the before mentioned “danger zone.” Still, the even higher elevation and even narrower trail will keep my butthole puckered. <br />
<br />
Barring bad weather, this hike is a go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGemAVPPeoI/AAAAAAAABKo/b-HK_hKm6UE/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGemAVPPeoI/AAAAAAAABKo/b-HK_hKm6UE/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waimanalo side view of Piliwale Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGekNzJsT7I/AAAAAAAABKI/ct9M1R2O-8A/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGekNzJsT7I/AAAAAAAABKI/ct9M1R2O-8A/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Danger Zone" from the notch to the skyline hump</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-87441553619527972392010-08-15T01:12:00.000-07:002010-08-15T03:11:21.178-07:00Maunawili Falls ... again ...<strong>DATE:</strong> 14 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> (Walk time) 45 minutes<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> Many<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 8<br />
<br />
When I started going to Maunawili falls, I remembered only one clear trail and a bunch of iffy ones. It was totally different today. There were about three really clear trails from the trailhead converging on the junction to the falls. All looked recently widened and well maintained. The one I tried today cut my walk time down a full 15 minutes. In a few years, they may start to charge for parking.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGeee271VdI/AAAAAAAABJ4/lJYA5tVJK2U/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGeee271VdI/AAAAAAAABJ4/lJYA5tVJK2U/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy, Sasha, and Phil</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGeeuamlAqI/AAAAAAAABKA/dFOUOeQz7W8/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGeeuamlAqI/AAAAAAAABKA/dFOUOeQz7W8/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giovanni, putting on his socks after jumping mindlessly from the highest ledge Kudos!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-89711143876284352272010-08-14T04:25:00.000-07:002010-08-14T04:25:43.417-07:00Kangaroo Hunt<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ3kLxiWiI/AAAAAAAABJI/lK84sa9q-o4/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ3kLxiWiI/AAAAAAAABJI/lK84sa9q-o4/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrays spill over clouds; a city awaits a new day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 13 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 10<br />
<br />
The hunt begins for Oahu’s kangaroo! In 1916, two rock wallabies escaped from a private collection into the wild and started a breeding colony in the Ko’olau range that still exists today. Some have been captured for study, but released back into the wild as a conservation effort. Over the last century, they have evolved and gotten smaller, and scientists predict they will be declared as a different species altogether in years to come. <br />
<br />
I seriously don’t know why I’m looking for these things. I’ve seen real kangaroo when I lived in Australia years back. Probably because I just want to paste it on my blog. We started our search using intel from sketchy reports from Fort Shafter and a news clip very vaguely describing a sighting location somewhere in the back of the Kalihi valley. Fort Shafter is where we started.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ4E4AixaI/AAAAAAAABJQ/AUolr5XqQKo/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ4E4AixaI/AAAAAAAABJQ/AUolr5XqQKo/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radar hill road junction</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ4VVdBuHI/AAAAAAAABJY/tWvE1e8jhm4/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ4VVdBuHI/AAAAAAAABJY/tWvE1e8jhm4/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views like this are commonplace atop Bowman Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was looking for rock faces in the hillside. Then holes in rock as these little fuckers love to live in them. I scouted out some possible areas the day before from my Kamanaiki hike, and this morning’s Kamanaiki hike (read earlier blog), so we could narrow our search. <br />
<br />
First of all, we didn’t have that much time. After this morning’s hike and a scouting mission of Piliwale ridge, we had a late start of 1600. That said, we must have walked about five to six miles, either on road or through [fill in the blank] plants. After beating brush (and there were lots of brush) and finding out all the areas we looked at were either eroded washouts or right next to road, we decided that our approach was all wrong. As they said in Spaceballs, “Man, we ain’t found shit!” <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ4rtMqJOI/AAAAAAAABJg/llhc-kLPxjI/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ4rtMqJOI/AAAAAAAABJg/llhc-kLPxjI/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erosion from rain and development</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I’m planning on doing this at least once a week till I find them. The little bastards were probably nudging each other making jokes while we walked right by them. Things will have to change for the next time if I’m to have any luck. The search continues… <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ5KT35OiI/AAAAAAAABJo/E2Uip4NHn-c/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ5KT35OiI/AAAAAAAABJo/E2Uip4NHn-c/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the pine forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ5k6NKWdI/AAAAAAAABJw/0nQWMd8Hmlk/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZ5k6NKWdI/AAAAAAAABJw/0nQWMd8Hmlk/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground bleeds red in the sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-69971458982436126632010-08-14T03:54:00.000-07:002010-08-14T04:29:54.076-07:00Kamanaiki 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZznPIAjbI/AAAAAAAABI4/q2Q4Hn28_Dc/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZznPIAjbI/AAAAAAAABI4/q2Q4Hn28_Dc/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different shades of green</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 13 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 0<br />
<br />
It seems to me that my rehike value CAN be increased for reasons other than hot chicks. Like accidentally leaving over $100 in equipment on the trail. I’ve said all I wanted to say about this trail already (see yesterday’s post), so I won’t run around the damn mango tree. <br />
<br />
I wasn’t bullshitting on this day. I wasn’t prepared for Mr. Ulehe and company yesterday so I donned my no shit hiking pants, gloves, long sleeve hiking shirt, and eye protection in order to plow my way through to where I thought I left my stuff, which is unfortunately, about 400 feet to the end of the trail. <br />
<br />
It took us only 50 minutes to get there. I win today Mr. Ulehe! I went to the end to check out the view I missed yesterday because of the clouds and ran. It fully sucked, effectively killing any hope of a rehike. To top it off, my gear wasn’t there. So we took our time on the way back (about 2 hours), but no luck. Fuck…<br />
<br />
Turned out, it was under my laptop case at my house the whole time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZz1YiEcKI/AAAAAAAABJA/sL6Zbg_apI4/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZz1YiEcKI/AAAAAAAABJA/sL6Zbg_apI4/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No clouds today</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-71757205042679346662010-08-14T03:38:00.000-07:002010-08-14T04:28:52.884-07:00Kamanaiki<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZtz-UVD_I/AAAAAAAABHw/qyNBEzs6pGM/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZtz-UVD_I/AAAAAAAABHw/qyNBEzs6pGM/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water tank graffiti</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 12 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 4 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Stickies” Christine, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 1<br />
<br />
First of all, Christine is the first hiker to be super prepared for a first hike with me. Long pants, legit hiking boots, and ready to sweat. Then, I found out that she didn’t bring water… You guys are wearing me out man. Awesome lady though, as she kept my mind off the hike with good conversation. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZt87YiOoI/AAAAAAAABH4/VhkQO8_55ek/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZt87YiOoI/AAAAAAAABH4/VhkQO8_55ek/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stickies" Christine and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZuRJT8W5I/AAAAAAAABIA/JsjWBZj9IQo/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZuRJT8W5I/AAAAAAAABIA/JsjWBZj9IQo/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weirdest looking trailhead I've ever seen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As easy hikes go, this one started off awesome, but ended horribly. My first priority was to look for possible Kangaroo hideouts for the next day, but my motivation disappeared as quickly as Donald Trump’s hairspray about halfway in. <br />
<br />
To start off, Kamanaiki reminded me a lot of Palehua, starting off with an easy climb up stairs with not much elevation gain. Views were pretty, plants were colorful, and the trail was well maintained, till a little over halfway. Then the BS started. Overgrown, and with the rainclouds rolling in, effectively flushing down the view, it was just plain crap. My wonderful friend, Ulehe Fern, also decided to show up, bringing with him about a gazillion of his brothers, all wanting to say hello. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZuXtz4leI/AAAAAAAABII/xfmUtvc8HDY/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZuXtz4leI/AAAAAAAABII/xfmUtvc8HDY/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl City all the way to Barber's Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZuc4ARFsI/AAAAAAAABIQ/C--00EVG6-0/s1600/IMG_0072a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZuc4ARFsI/AAAAAAAABIQ/C--00EVG6-0/s320/IMG_0072a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ulehe fern, eagerly awaiting my arrival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There’s not much to say about this one, other than it’s a one-timer. Up to about halfway, it would be ideal for trail running because of how maintained the trail was to that point. Stop there, don’t go beyond. The views of Kalihi and Likelike aren’t exactly to die for. That’s why you don’t find it in travel guides. If you’re trying to get to the Ko’olau, there are other, better maintained and shorter routes around the area. <br />
<br />
I felt bad for Christine, who was one of the original respondents to my hiking group ad. This is the first time she could make it and the hike just wasn’t a good first impression. I’ll have to arrange a super hike for her in the near future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZu0Z-Jq1I/AAAAAAAABIY/BbYe9BILtrY/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZu0Z-Jq1I/AAAAAAAABIY/BbYe9BILtrY/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pretty flowers are like pretty girls; get too close and they'll cut your heart out</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZvI5kiIBI/AAAAAAAABIg/K8vzaT3IvSk/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZvI5kiIBI/AAAAAAAABIg/K8vzaT3IvSk/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree stands alone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZvvDrcrAI/AAAAAAAABIo/SgfiRW3uZZU/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZvvDrcrAI/AAAAAAAABIo/SgfiRW3uZZU/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalihi Valley and the Likelike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZv7iPeiWI/AAAAAAAABIw/yBM93lF7tEk/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZv7iPeiWI/AAAAAAAABIw/yBM93lF7tEk/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess how she got the nickname...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-43710862397182959902010-08-12T05:02:00.000-07:002010-08-17T01:38:02.129-07:00Pali Notches<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZj9bet1pI/AAAAAAAABGg/o6cDKNwIomM/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZj9bet1pI/AAAAAAAABGg/o6cDKNwIomM/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nu'uanu Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>DATE:</strong> 12 August, 2010</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 1 hr</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Medium - Mental</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> Me</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 8</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
While waiting for Christine to call me for Kamanaiki, today’s planned hike, I decided to drive over to what is known as the hairpin turn on the Pali highway and scout out the Piliwale ridge. Driving on the Pali and getting pissed off about losing a cell tower, I noticed that the day was uncharacteristically clear for this part of the island, so at the last second I veered off toward the Pali lookout to see if I could get a side view of the ridge from there. Turned out I couldn’t see jack shit with another steep spur blocking my view. By the way, parking is free for residents, and I didn’t know that. Sucks to be me. Three bucks gone. <br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZjsJoHjEI/AAAAAAAABGY/qKEpwA7Eh-M/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZjsJoHjEI/AAAAAAAABGY/qKEpwA7Eh-M/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists milled about at the Pali Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZjc_r69KI/AAAAAAAABGQ/kpTA0iNRsjQ/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZjc_r69KI/AAAAAAAABGQ/kpTA0iNRsjQ/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windswept meadow above the lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">About to take off, I recalled seeing on the internet a couple of hiking trails branching off from the lookout besides the Old Pali Road. I was thinking, sunny day, hiking gear in trunk, K1 above me… I went for it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was a serendipitous hike. It was super short and was Olomana, Hapapa, and Manamana all rolled into one without a long uphill starter. That said, the elevation gain was so not playing games today as it went straight up and kept getting steeper until I reached the notches, but it took me only 20 minutes. Going down the first notch was easy and the top of the rock before the second notch reminded me a lot of what you see at Manamana. Narrow ridges and steep drop-offs. You would fall to about sea level. Good luck surviving.<br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZjLRL9o3I/AAAAAAAABGI/JK1-UqW0eU0/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZjLRL9o3I/AAAAAAAABGI/JK1-UqW0eU0/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, there you are rock-scrambling part</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZi2IE3NyI/AAAAAAAABGA/6CvbsMVVSuw/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZi2IE3NyI/AAAAAAAABGA/6CvbsMVVSuw/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the Pali Highway and Old Pali Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I looked over the second notch and thought about crapping myself. Thought about it, but the skid-marks will have to wait another day. Son of a female dog! It looked hairy. It’s possible, but a mistake would be your no-shit last. Not a good hike to do alone. As I retrieved my balls from my backpack and started the attempt, two cute mainland girls showed up. Things kept getting better and better.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We sat around BS-ing for a bit. One’s a swimmer, the other just got to the island the day before. Sky’s blue, it’s really windy, and they’re scared of heights (and you’re up here why?). They decided not to proceed any further and left. Balls in place, I started my attempt again. Then, my phone rang. It was Christine. Time to go to Kamanaiki. <br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZibNpDogI/AAAAAAAABF4/fizRKM-wbh8/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZibNpDogI/AAAAAAAABF4/fizRKM-wbh8/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backside of the first notch descent</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZiIzy8NnI/AAAAAAAABFw/VeBF9i9PUlM/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZiIzy8NnI/AAAAAAAABFw/VeBF9i9PUlM/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the second notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Pali notches played some kind of a role during King Kam’s Battle of Nu’uanu, although much speculation exists as to what that role was. Long story short, King Kam won, everyone else lost, Kauai surrendered peacefully 20 some odd years later, and the islands were united. Now I live here and I love sushi.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I wish I took more pictures of this one because words cannot describe how crazy this hike was. With the notches and beyond, this hike is retarded. Even with rope. There’s a peak beyond the second notch with a rusty chain on top, but climb up is insane. This is the first time I have actually seen a trail on the island with something resembling a YDS Class 5 climb, and you would have to be stupid nuts to free-climb it, or be suddenly dumped by your 10 year girlfriend for no reason whatsoever. Bottom line, your state of mind can’t be normal. I will return with more time and hopefully, great weather. And I need to fall in love and get dumped quickly.<br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZglT4-niI/AAAAAAAABFo/_hYsnbV1nfw/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZglT4-niI/AAAAAAAABFo/_hYsnbV1nfw/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking beyond the second notch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGU0-IkAL0I/AAAAAAAABFQ/QzwxhhC8Hl0/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGU0-IkAL0I/AAAAAAAABFQ/QzwxhhC8Hl0/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaks of Bowman, Tripler, and Middle ridges and Pu'u Keahi a Kahoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZcrKEopcI/AAAAAAAABFY/XwghFsa9Tqk/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZcrKEopcI/AAAAAAAABFY/XwghFsa9Tqk/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear view of Kaneohe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZgNUT6VrI/AAAAAAAABFg/7u4q7Qi7tPY/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGZgNUT6VrI/AAAAAAAABFg/7u4q7Qi7tPY/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the Pali Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-88550691467249012452010-08-08T23:21:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:44:36.774-07:00Bowman - Tripler Ridge<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIeCa8x1I/AAAAAAAABBo/hITANx0N9IU/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504041375483348818" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIeCa8x1I/AAAAAAAABBo/hITANx0N9IU/s400/IMG_0041.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 288px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man versus mountain, a hiker trudges through the mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 8 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 8.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Medium<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Reef Shoes” Jason, “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 5 … with a different return route<br />
<br />
The mighty Bowman trail. I had wanted to do this one ever since I went on a hiking binge a couple of months back. So many things have been said about this hike. Stuart Ball describes it as “the most difficult of the ungraded ridge trails in the Ko’olau Range.” It includes a hair-raising scramble up the flank of a volcanic cone. Someone I know told me it took him six hours just to get to the top of Bowman’s Peak. I’d done my research, I’d heard the stories, and I’d watched the videos. I was ready to tackle one of Oahu’s most difficult, strenuous, hair-raising, and dangerous hikes …<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIdk8bwEI/AAAAAAAABBg/VZNabDdsVTA/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504041367570726978" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIdk8bwEI/AAAAAAAABBg/VZNabDdsVTA/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 297px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: "Reef Shoes" Jason, "The Optimist" Jeremy, Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIBgIXCCI/AAAAAAAABBY/nAilxIOAzbk/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504040885242234914" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIBgIXCCI/AAAAAAAABBY/nAilxIOAzbk/s400/IMG_0032.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 278px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sections erode as the ridge narrows, making things interesting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>BULL – SHIT! Bowman wasn’t hard. Even with the rain, this hike was pretty simple to negotiate. I have to admit, it was pleasantly different than most hikes to the Ko’olau. Instead of a straightforward uphill climb to the summit, we ran into some Ka’ala-esque mud climbs and a slippery do-or-die switchback portion near the peak. A very nice change of pace from all those boring ridge hikes. If anything, Bowman was fun.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIBOmekZI/AAAAAAAABBQ/1TKG7DRJ9Vk/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504040880536719762" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJIBOmekZI/AAAAAAAABBQ/1TKG7DRJ9Vk/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 308px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures can't fully describe how insane these switchbacks are</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEbT-vw5I/AAAAAAAABBI/5LFpzprq_kc/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504036930610774930" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEbT-vw5I/AAAAAAAABBI/5LFpzprq_kc/s400/IMG_0043.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 292px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A muddy swamp on top of a mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The plan was to go up Bowman and return via the little used “Tripler Powerline trail.” It took us only 3.5 hours to get to Bowman’s Peak (Pu’u Kahuauli), and another half hour to the Tripler ridge overlook. After a little break and exploration on Jeremy's part, we started down the hill to look for that powerline junction. That’s when the fun stopped and we started having issues.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEaycWD_I/AAAAAAAABBA/4Qfs0BLg0Ms/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504036921608114162" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEaycWD_I/AAAAAAAABBA/4Qfs0BLg0Ms/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 318px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ko'olau Summit Trail, shrouded in clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Visibility on Tripler ridge was non-existent so looking for this powerline trail was like looking for good Hawaiian drivers. Long shot. Once we got below the ceiling, powerlines started appearing … everywhere, and they all looked the same. We chose one and made our way steeply down but after it ended abruptly, we decided it was the wrong one. I saw Captain Obvious fly by. Another, well marked trail veered off to the left and THAT ended in the middle of nowhere. I swear, the Tripler ridge hates me. Every time I incorporate it into a hike, something bad happens.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEagImoEI/AAAAAAAABA4/fmqzsem6w0U/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504036916693475394" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEagImoEI/AAAAAAAABA4/fmqzsem6w0U/s400/IMG_0079.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tripler Ridge and out to sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEaOrouPI/AAAAAAAABAw/T7C2WgEwYf8/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504036912008575218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJEaOrouPI/AAAAAAAABAw/T7C2WgEwYf8/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 300px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy when we found a powerline trail, miserable when we found it was the wrong one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Long story short, I decided ditch the search for this mythical powerline trail junction and just follow the regular ridgeline. Time was against us and I didn't feel like doing a repeat of the Moanalua Waterfall incident. I’ve never acknowledged the importance of eating, but two cereal bars will not carry you on this one. Lesson learned. Down the calories before a strenuous hike. That means lots of beer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC-W_QzbI/AAAAAAAABAo/EL8B7Ant3V4/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504035333690412466" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC-W_QzbI/AAAAAAAABAo/EL8B7Ant3V4/s400/IMG_0023.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 261px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic view of Diamondhead and Punchbowl Craters, and the skyline of Honolulu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC958DnRI/AAAAAAAABAg/KYJvEhDjpcY/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504035325892336914" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC958DnRI/AAAAAAAABAg/KYJvEhDjpcY/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 309px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normal, swampy conditions at high Oahu elevation</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC9ZN0vXI/AAAAAAAABAY/XgFpPZCovTw/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504035317108489586" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC9ZN0vXI/AAAAAAAABAY/XgFpPZCovTw/s400/IMG_0047.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 284px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break on the Ko'olau Summit Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC9HSgqXI/AAAAAAAABAQ/Bn6vdkp5vPo/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504035312296307058" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC9HSgqXI/AAAAAAAABAQ/Bn6vdkp5vPo/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 288px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final push to the peak of Tripler Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC8Rgd4wI/AAAAAAAABAI/_RHixHmJ9Fc/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504035297859330818" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGJC8Rgd4wI/AAAAAAAABAI/_RHixHmJ9Fc/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 272px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final snapshot before descending into the Moanalua Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div></div></div></div></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-6969379624212717382010-08-07T20:12:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:18:39.544-07:00Kuli'ou'ou Valley<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIXCY-Hw0I/AAAAAAAABAA/G6f7dVS1owM/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503987024430351170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIXCY-Hw0I/AAAAAAAABAA/G6f7dVS1owM/s400/IMG_0061.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy overhead</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 7 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 2 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Paparazzi” Giovanni, “The Optimist” Jeremy, “Reef Shoes” Jason, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 1<br />
<br />
I am swearing off what I call, “maybe waterfalls.” If you came to Oahu looking for an abundance of waterfalls, you’re on the wrong island. Go to Kauai. There are a few here that constantly flow, and even fewer with swimming holes. There are plenty of draws that act as vessels for flowing water, mostly directly off the Ko'olau Mountain Range creating seasonal streams, but you’ll need to be lucky to see them at full force. The ones that constantly flow have some kind of natural reservoir (ie. crater) that retains enough water to keep the pipes filled during dry months. Kuli’ou’ou Valley is not one of them. This is a “maybe waterfall.”<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIXB6jfpQI/AAAAAAAAA_4/wfPSQW07ikY/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503987016265606402" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIXB6jfpQI/AAAAAAAAA_4/wfPSQW07ikY/s400/IMG_0045.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 310px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: "Paparazzi" Giovanni, "The Optimist" Jeremy, "Reef Shoes" Jason, Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIXBZfvEvI/AAAAAAAAA_w/r_1xh0gbo4w/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503987007391470322" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIXBZfvEvI/AAAAAAAAA_w/r_1xh0gbo4w/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 300px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail was well marked, but so was the entire valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There was no waterfall, even with all the heavy rain. Which means there will not be much of a waterfall even during rainy season. That just blows. This hike’s only saving grace is that it’s very short and easy. Stay to the right of the valley going in. There is an overkill of trail tape, leading you everywhere but the right route. Stream crossings are unnecessary on this one so ignore the pink and orange ribbons on the left side of the streambed.<br />
<br />
We actually went past our destination to see if we could get lucky. No dice. The walls closed in and we ended staring at a mossy wall. It is possible to go all the way to the base of the Ko'olau, but I just wanted to get some shaved ice. I may check this out again in December, but there are other better options out there to explore. We should have stayed at Jackass Ginger, since we were there earlier. On the flip side, the location is little used, so it’s a great spot for serial killers to hide their victims.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIWD-BOacI/AAAAAAAAA_o/IdtXJvRrbh4/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503985952043723202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIWD-BOacI/AAAAAAAAA_o/IdtXJvRrbh4/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 286px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing some extra exploration above the 'waterfall'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIWDXqRkgI/AAAAAAAAA_g/I5UxROXMye0/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503985941746913794" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIWDXqRkgI/AAAAAAAAA_g/I5UxROXMye0/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting what you'll find when you get lost</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIWCzTIAYI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/kH2oMMILR8s/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503985931986141570" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIWCzTIAYI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/kH2oMMILR8s/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 300px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet rock wall awaits any kind of rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div></div></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-49489856388261365592010-08-07T07:31:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:15:11.196-07:00Nu'uanu - Judd Point 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIN2HrkIkI/AAAAAAAAA-4/n6asUcuP4Pc/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503976918026035778" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIN2HrkIkI/AAAAAAAAA-4/n6asUcuP4Pc/s400/IMG_0025.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 273px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punchbowl Crater, housing remnants of veterans in a national cemetary</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 7 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “The Inquisitor” Melissa, “Boom” May, “Quiet” Bridgitte, “Photoshop” Donna, “Paparazzi” Giovanni, “Sigmund Freud” Jenn, “FTS Princess” Karen, “Reef Shoes” Jason, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 8<br />
<br />
Even though this isn’t the easiest outing in comparison to say, the Makapu’u paved road hike (which I rated “gay”), I feel that this is the best beginner’s hike on the island. It gives you just about everything you want without making you work for it. It is mostly shaded, the scenery changes frequently, and it provides first timers with some easy ridge walking experience. Rewards are great, and the effort, minimal. In Jason’s words, this is a “Girly Hike.” I take no responsibility.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIN16xm5wI/AAAAAAAAA-w/hIE7aEMMvYs/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503976914561722114" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIN16xm5wI/AAAAAAAAA-w/hIE7aEMMvYs/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 274px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: "The Inquisitor" Melissa, "Boom" May, "Quiet" Bridgitte, "Photoshop" Donna, me, "Paparazzi" Giovanni, "Sigmund Freud" Jenn, "FTS Princess" Karen, "Reef Shoes" Jason</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIN1DVTr9I/AAAAAAAAA-o/du9cidmaH4s/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503976899679072210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIN1DVTr9I/AAAAAAAAA-o/du9cidmaH4s/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 310px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handling it like a champ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The group today was very unlike what I’m used to. Normally, very few girls dare to join in my hikes. This time, the ratio of girls to guys was three to one! To be fair, I did advertise it as a paradise of a hike, with colors, swimming holes, and cute stuffed animals, so it ended up feeling like a badass night out at Pearl Nightclub. Maybe Jason was right.<br />
<br />
Still one of my favorite hikes, I suggest that anyone interested should do this on a sunny day. The bright light has a way of really making colors stand out, making for more dramatic changes in nature’s art gallery. Also a great “date hike,” so now that Jason knows the route, he has a good idea for an outdoor date, when he finally gets the cahones to ask someone resembling a girl out … in the year 2053. Check the weather channel before you go.<br />
<br />
For more on Nu’uanu - Judd, refer to my previous outing (June, 2010).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIM98P_SnI/AAAAAAAAA-g/mD7wqAXhUZs/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503975952884910706" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIM98P_SnI/AAAAAAAAA-g/mD7wqAXhUZs/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 278px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nu'uanu Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIM9f8TMaI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/WJD5rX43aK4/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503975945286136226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIM9f8TMaI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/WJD5rX43aK4/s400/IMG_0029.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky switchbacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIM84FmCKI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/FpWmLqGpDnQ/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503975934587701410" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIM84FmCKI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/FpWmLqGpDnQ/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 285px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing the mud off to end a fantastic hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-10390126848746640552010-08-05T18:28:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:16:56.360-07:00Wiliwilinui<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIDshPonnI/AAAAAAAAA-I/yYc3TWKesXA/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503965757973241458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIDshPonnI/AAAAAAAAA-I/yYc3TWKesXA/s400/IMG_0061.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 282px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiliwilinui summit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 5 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3.5 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Sunburn” Samantha and Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 5<br />
<br />
Any hike described as the quickest access to the Ko'olau mountain range from the Honolulu side deserved to be checked out by yours truly. So far, the best route I’ve encountered was the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge because it was short, easy, and super rewarding.<br />
<br />
I can testify that the Wiliwilinui trail is probably one of the most accessible trails I’ve ever been to. It may even have one of the safest parking areas being in a gated community. You’ll need a parking pass from the guard shack but it’s absolutely no hassle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIDsCW8avI/AAAAAAAAA-A/W2r_4R-19a8/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503965749682399986" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGIDsCW8avI/AAAAAAAAA-A/W2r_4R-19a8/s400/IMG_0038.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 284px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sunburn" Samantha and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICzT1WX6I/AAAAAAAAA94/MPS7tXMdoNQ/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503964775120789410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICzT1WX6I/AAAAAAAAA94/MPS7tXMdoNQ/s400/IMG_0020.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 274px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Branches arch over, providing cool shade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All you trail runners, do I have a trail for you! This is as maintained as any trail can get on Oahu. Half of it is pretty much a huge, super wide dirt road that seems to be regularly groomed by some sort of mini bulldozer we passed. The rest of the trail climbs steep steps and is narrower, but extremely well maintained. There were ropes to aid in some of the steep portions but the climb to the peak was fairly easy, albeit muddy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICy4s5ycI/AAAAAAAAA9w/GHQrWd2-elw/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503964767837604290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICy4s5ycI/AAAAAAAAA9w/GHQrWd2-elw/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 290px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As good as any trail can get</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICyT6hOAI/AAAAAAAAA9o/OMZawoGwY_I/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503964757962602498" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICyT6hOAI/AAAAAAAAA9o/OMZawoGwY_I/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 292px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs are in place, but rope offers additional help</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A functioning radio transceiver tower sits near the end with signs warning us of the possibility of our brain exploding if we neared within three feet of the radio dish. I admit, I don’t know much about microwave transmissions, but how the hell do they know it’s exactly three feet? The summit was … okay. Granted, the weather wasn’t exactly cooperative, but I imagine the view would have been pretty similar to the ones atop many points along the Ko'olau Summit Trail. I looked around to see if any part of the KST would be worth checking out, but came up with a big donut. It’s pretty much more of the same.<br />
<br />
Although this is the quickest way to get to the Ko'olau summit, especially on a dry day, it is uninteresting at best. The greatest reward is in the view, but you can get those from other, more interesting hikes. Fail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICx7nCvtI/AAAAAAAAA9g/XQ4s_it90Bo/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503964751438462674" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGICx7nCvtI/AAAAAAAAA9g/XQ4s_it90Bo/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 297px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muddy climb to the summit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-NOJMsyI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/V9MbgVamc8A/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503959722711888674" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-NOJMsyI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/V9MbgVamc8A/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the mountain, away from the ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-MncCPTI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/BfV3IgkO4dQ/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503959712321912114" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-MncCPTI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/BfV3IgkO4dQ/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 280px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ko'olau Summit Trail shrouded in clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-MNmgohI/AAAAAAAAA9I/ul1gIol3qaY/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503959705386525202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-MNmgohI/AAAAAAAAA9I/ul1gIol3qaY/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 263px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamondhead Crater in its entirety</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-Lo7W4tI/AAAAAAAAA9A/bSXVX1AV6yI/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503959695541854930" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH-Lo7W4tI/AAAAAAAAA9A/bSXVX1AV6yI/s400/IMG_0018.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 288px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indifferent to our presence</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div></div></div></div></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-24567194093935370162010-08-01T18:04:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:19:46.326-07:00Olomana 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH6CxBb2AI/AAAAAAAAA84/fOCrFXp2rV8/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503955145049495554" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH6CxBb2AI/AAAAAAAAA84/fOCrFXp2rV8/s400/IMG_0144.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 311px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rope adds confidence for the climb down the third peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 1 August, 2010<br />
<strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 4 hrs<br />
<strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Medium-Hard<br />
<strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> "Reef Shoes" Jason, Me<br />
<strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 7<br />
<br />
This is a repeat from before so I can get video footage and also so Jason can stop being a wuss and finish it already.<br />
<br />
We actually moved a lot quicker this time, even with a total break time of one hour. It's too bad I didn't bring rope with me for this one because the descent down the backside of the third peak looked extremely tempting. I wasn’t planning on doing it, but as I stood at the end of the third peak, I realized that I had to do this all over again to make the attempt. Crap.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH6CUj_gQI/AAAAAAAAA8w/9Vxi7EOOWYs/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503955137409810690" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH6CUj_gQI/AAAAAAAAA8w/9Vxi7EOOWYs/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 311px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admire me, people</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH6B-f8k-I/AAAAAAAAA8o/stRwKA-mxsY/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503955131487261666" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH6B-f8k-I/AAAAAAAAA8o/stRwKA-mxsY/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 282px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second and third peaks; Ko'olau in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As we were going back up the second peak, some idiot coming the other way slipped halfway down and would have killed his brother if he crashed into him. At the same time, about seven people were on our asses and all hanging on the same rope. Not smart, people. Never trust rope that much. I used the rocks as much as I could but like before, I needed to use the rope at some parts, so I was hauling ass to the top in case the rope decided to give way. Not too bad the second time around. Congratulations to Jason. Apparently the ridge wasn’t moving as much this time.<br />
<br />
For more on Olomana, refer back to my previous outing (June, 2010).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4XTNCMUI/AAAAAAAAA8g/Wn6FkYgEvFI/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503953298799079746" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4XTNCMUI/AAAAAAAAA8g/Wn6FkYgEvFI/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 301px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rope is overkill on the third peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4W21l0tI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/46TtyU6cGqs/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503953291184558802" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4W21l0tI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/46TtyU6cGqs/s400/IMG_0143.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back down from the third peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4WVUXQrI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/bcjyykRa04g/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503953282186822322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4WVUXQrI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/bcjyykRa04g/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 308px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back side of the second peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4V_l-LkI/AAAAAAAAA8I/jY7VlW0X5xE/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503953276355096130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGH4V_l-LkI/AAAAAAAAA8I/jY7VlW0X5xE/s400/IMG_0137.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 400px; width: 306px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seemingly razor thin, the third peak requires much caution</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div></div></div></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-44340168326146016502010-07-31T05:08:00.000-07:002010-08-10T19:50:38.374-07:00Makapu'u Point<table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFVnglmflI/AAAAAAAAA5w/UnQ5lKYnKHY/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503774356874362450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFVnglmflI/AAAAAAAAA5w/UnQ5lKYnKHY/s400/IMG_0095.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Rock climbing above crashing waves</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 31 July, 2010<br /><strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 3 hrs... I think<br /><strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy<br /><strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> "Reef Shoes" Jason, "Rambo" Jeremy, "Bloody" Jean, Me<br /><strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 8<br /><br />The last time I did this, I only ran up the paved road to the lookout at back. I had no idea what I was missing. Exploring Makapu'u Point has to be one of the most rewarding hikes on island. It's one of those "hiking buffets" where you can pick and choose what you want to make the perfect meal of a hike.<br /><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFVnM-77NI/AAAAAAAAA5o/Nh7DmN6sF7o/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503774351611915474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFVnM-77NI/AAAAAAAAA5o/Nh7DmN6sF7o/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Left to right: "Bloody" Jean, "Rambo" Jeremy, "Reef Shoes" Jason, Me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFVmkP_ZWI/AAAAAAAAA5g/xgEl5t7B4ks/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503774340677592418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFVmkP_ZWI/AAAAAAAAA5g/xgEl5t7B4ks/s400/IMG_0007.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Empty sands of Makapu'u Beach</td></tr></tbody></table>Instead of using the paved road, we walked along the left side passing by a bunch of guys doing rappelling training off of a short cliff. The short walk continues up the left side of the hill and ends at the peak with some pillboxes from where you can walk down to the platform overlooking the lighthouse. Although the ‘peak’ was not overly high (647 ft), it provides a commanding view of the ocean, Waimanalo, Sandy Beach, and Kokohead. Great place to see humpback whales during migrating season.<br /><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTHXPeeUI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/c8sRAQTDyQs/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503771605586573634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTHXPeeUI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/c8sRAQTDyQs/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Climb Aloha giving rock climbing lessons</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTG4aERrI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/LFU11IQGERs/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503771597309494962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTG4aERrI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/LFU11IQGERs/s400/IMG_0030.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Sentry of history overlooking the ocean</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTGde2onI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Y3OjvfUmp4M/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503771590081815154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTGde2onI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Y3OjvfUmp4M/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">A lone lighthouse guides ships away from treacherous rocks</td></tr></tbody></table>But what I came here for were the tide pools and the blowholes located on the south side of the hill. You can't see this area from the paved road and the climb down to it was steep but nothing to bark about. You will not regret taking this detour because it is totally worth it. The area was a natural playground for adventurists as you could pretty much make things up as you went along. There were cliffs to climb, a cave used as some kind of bird sanctuary, multiple blowholes, and clear pools you could chill-lax in if you weren't in the mood to do anything crazy. Most importantly, it's away from all those annoying Japanese tourists at the top, all of who seemed to crap their pants when they saw us scaling the rocks above the lighthouse.<br /><br />Great variety, good views, easy hike. Excellent for a date, a picnic, or your walker leaning grandma. Okay, maybe without the walker, but definitely a good family outing.<br /><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTF3sZYeI/AAAAAAAAA5A/bC4cKb7tp7U/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503771579938071010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFTF3sZYeI/AAAAAAAAA5A/bC4cKb7tp7U/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Nature's resort, hidden behind the cliffs at Makapu'u</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEWY-UoXI/AAAAAAAAA44/KHUENE_kpss/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503755371075117426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEWY-UoXI/AAAAAAAAA44/KHUENE_kpss/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Sharp rocks line the walls of this cliff face</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEV5mYhdI/AAAAAAAAA4w/qEoOIr9NBbE/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503755362653210066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEV5mYhdI/AAAAAAAAA4w/qEoOIr9NBbE/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">A double blowhole spews seawater</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEVeuIM0I/AAAAAAAAA4o/uLGzbyi5zHQ/s1600/IMG_0083.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503755355437937474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEVeuIM0I/AAAAAAAAA4o/uLGzbyi5zHQ/s400/IMG_0083.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Cave with an ocean view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEVBM7apI/AAAAAAAAA4g/72Nm6tlsJik/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503755347514059410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEVBM7apI/AAAAAAAAA4g/72Nm6tlsJik/s400/IMG_0076.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Jason's finding the best way to scale the cliff</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEUkqfCcI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/rInv735kidM/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503755339853400514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGFEUkqfCcI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/rInv735kidM/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Calm water, bored lighthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></div></div></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775886507630671017.post-73478385642595655352010-07-11T03:44:00.001-07:002010-08-10T19:50:38.376-07:00Pu'u Hapapa - Pu'u Kaneoha<table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGE0Hhzi5EI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/SsuK4Us-DLA/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503737523561751618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGE0Hhzi5EI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/SsuK4Us-DLA/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Fading sunlight splashes orange on a cliff face</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>DATE:</strong> 11 July, 2010<br /><strong>TOTAL TIME:</strong> 5 hrs<br /><strong>DIFFICULTY:</strong> Easy-Medium<br /><strong>PARTICIPANTS:</strong> “Loafer” Mike, “The Optimist” Jeremy, Me<br /><strong>REHIKE VALUE:</strong> 5 (Hapapa alone)<br /><br />The Hapapa – Kaneoha hike is located at the west end of Schofield Barracks. Like the Kalena hike which shares the same trailhead, you’ll need base access.<br /><br />I’ve heard this hike called many things, but the name that stood out to me the most was ‘Death Ridge.’ After all the dramatic videos I’ve watched and hearing all the rah rah about dying if you make the slightest mistake, I decided it was high time to check it out for myself. Sounded exactly like something I would enjoy.<br /><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGE0HVuHshI/AAAAAAAAA4I/4sATAyPtg_M/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503737520317772306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGE0HVuHshI/AAAAAAAAA4I/4sATAyPtg_M/s400/IMG_0061.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Left to right: Me, "The Optimist" Jeremy, "Loafer" Mike</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExLsVgneI/AAAAAAAAA4A/o3_LBcz0ITo/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503734296573156834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExLsVgneI/AAAAAAAAA4A/o3_LBcz0ITo/s400/IMG_0004.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">The two notches known as "Death Ridge"</td></tr></tbody></table>Including Kaneoha, the official trail spanned a distance of about 6 miles. Once you get past the peak of Hapapa, you may as well turn around because the trail is long, boring and overgrown. The portion of the trail known as Death Ridge is near the trailhead and includes two steep descents into notches along the ridge. I can testify firsthand that the name is unjustified and just a bunch of horseshit. It wouldn’t even grade high on the danger list. The ridge isn’t narrow and the descent isn’t at all hard unless you: A) have no arms, B) have no legs, C) are paralyzed, D) have a similar predicament, or E) a combination of two or more of the above. Mike damn near ran down the steep descent. Although I would not recommend running down, it just goes to show how overrated ‘Death Ridge’ is. I’ve conducted many hikes which are way more dangerous than this one, including Kalena across the street.<br /><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExK7XQj1I/AAAAAAAAA34/YoJWRXXOZSY/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503734283427155794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExK7XQj1I/AAAAAAAAA34/YoJWRXXOZSY/s400/IMG_0023.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Mike, exploring an eroded section</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExKhQw6iI/AAAAAAAAA3w/F0LcT3AmXcg/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503734276420594210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExKhQw6iI/AAAAAAAAA3w/F0LcT3AmXcg/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Looking down at Death Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExKDMG4zI/AAAAAAAAA3o/ZPTOlJHseQE/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503734268347999026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGExKDMG4zI/AAAAAAAAA3o/ZPTOlJHseQE/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Trotting down Death Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table>I suggest future hikers try a modified trail which climbs to the top of Hapapa via the notches and back. It would cut out about four miles, and you avoid attempting Jet Li’s hundred-hand bitch slap technique against annoying plants on the overgrown trail beyond.<br /><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvMDEmn2I/AAAAAAAAA3g/fFeIaa_CT90/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503732103653007202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvMDEmn2I/AAAAAAAAA3g/fFeIaa_CT90/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Forest stays silent, ignoring the hikers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvLip6SuI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/HBPU84jt5Rs/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503732094951115490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvLip6SuI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/HBPU84jt5Rs/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">This looks more like a lion, mane and all</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvLIUgO9I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/xXYIw1XE1wc/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 293px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503732087882005458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvLIUgO9I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/xXYIw1XE1wc/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Scrambling up rock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvKu_EqBI/AAAAAAAAA3I/Zw6IoKEm3Cw/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503732081081231378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rr3oP1WdbME/TGEvKu_EqBI/AAAAAAAAA3I/Zw6IoKEm3Cw/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Meadow at sunset</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></div>Andrew "Bang Daddy" Bayanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10380860188045797392noreply@blogger.com0