Five for Konahuanui
This morning, Pat Rorie, Laredo Murray, Pete Caldwell, and I met at the summit of Konahuanui, the high point of the Koolau Range. We did this as a tribute for Don Fox, a friend and fellow hiker who recently lost his life in an auto accident on the mainland. We reached Konahuanui via three different routes: Pat and Laredo by way of Lulumahu Ridge, Pete via Tantalus/Kalawahine/Pauoa Flats, and me from Manoa via Aihualama/Pauoa Flats. In the 2.5 hours spent at the summit, we each drank, courtesy of Pete, a couple of swallows of 151 proof Hana Bay rum, a favorite celebratory inbibement of Don's, and, courtesy of Laredo, set off a rackety pyrotechnics display (on occasion, Don enjoyed firing off a bottle rocket or two from high mountain ridges). All the while, we were in the clouds with no views, but the whiteout didn't phase us nor dampen our spirits. And we probably would have stayed an hour longer if it hadn't started raining. In clouds all the way, we all descended toge...