Extreme Hiking Hawaii

    In April 2011, Kaleo Lancaster and friends completed a successful ascent of Mount Ohulehule's southeast ridge, the same ridge that two Danish female hikers were stranded on years ago. OSE has not been hiked much if at all in recent years. But now that Lancaster and crew have done it, perhaps more intrepid ones will follow ala Piliwale Ridge

Not many people have done the traverse of Mauna Loa and descended the Southwest Rift. Before I did it for the first time, I talked to all the old-timers I could find, and couldn't locate anyone who had done it or knew of anyone who had, with the possible exception of one of the geologists at the Volcano laboratory. It is not easy to explain the challenge of this trip to the average layman, or even to most experienced hikers. Craig Chisholm, in his book " Hawaiian Hiking Trails " characterizes the climb of Mauna Loa from the Strip Road to the summit cabin as "one of the hardest hikes in the Hawaiian Islands". This is entirely justified, yet the end of the trail at the summit cabin represents the final departure from civilization and the doorway to the truly untouched wilderness for those who attempt the still more challenging trek down the Southwest Rift. As one leaves the summit cabin and travels around the rim of the caldera to South Pit, ...

Finally got to do the crossover between Kawiwi and Kamaileunu! I have been interested in this route since hearing that Al Miller did it years (and years) ago. I was supposed to take some of the gang up there back in January, but I got sick and spent that weekend in bed. Then the weather was just uncooperative all the recent Sundays. But this past weekend we had the trades back and the forecast was for less rain, so we (Kevin, Duc, August, and I) went for it. Below is the route starting from the usual trailhead in Waianae Valley. The blue arrow marks the notch which is where it gets particularly exciting. After leaving my car near the Kamaileunu trailhead, we rode in Duc’s car to our starting point, and set off up the paved road at 8:30ish. The road was wet and slick - not a good sign as we would prefer dry conditions for a safe climb up and across. From the curve in the road we ducked into the forest on the path to the base of Kawiwi. Most of my ribbons from last ye...

Partway down Mauna o Ahi Windward, looking back to the summit ridge   Hike date : August 2003 I've thought about doing Bear Claw again lately, but wanted to descend via a different route. Since I usually hike alone, traverse options can be difficult to arrange as far as transportation. Dayle and Scott's adventure on Mauna o Ahi Windward gave me a good solution. Since I climbed the right claw last year I decided to try the left one this time. It turned out to be less exciting, fairly dense in places, but a good workout due to the angle of ascent. I rested on the mushroom rock to have a snack and ponder which car I will buy this week since my Civic has seen better days. (Anyone want a steal on a '90 wagon?) Reached Puu O Kona in the clouds, with some light rain and stiff wind. Continued along the KST, reaching MOAW summit in less time than expected. Coming down, I took time to clear the ridge some more in places where I could safely swing a machete. Good job to Sco...

For years, Mount Waialeale on Kauai has been the undisputed wettest spot in the Hawaiian Islands. A recent report , however, made it clear that the Kauai high point (or almost-high point) is now # 2. Where is # 1? It's on Maui, at a location called "Big Bog." According to one source , access to Big Bog "is nonetheless difficult, requiring either a helicopter or two days each way on foot, partly through dense montane rain forest. As a result of this remoteness and the lack of trails into this area, these bogs have until recently received little disturbance to native biota compared to most Hawaiian habitats. Feral pigs arrived into the area in the early 1970s and their heightened activity through the 1980s has caused the loss of native plant cover and subsequent invasion by of alien plant species." A two-day hike in and two days out? Sounds like an extreme hike. Pic above is of MidCamp Bog by B. Gagne. From an info-gathering quest, hiking access from...

Kahili Ridge route -- B. Burd photo After a successful foray two days earlier that led to the discovery of a trail leading to the ridgeline south of the peak, I was favorably impressed that I might actually be able to reach the summit of Kahili, a 3,000-foot peak on the flanks of the main mountain massif on the island of Kauai. Often shrouded in clouds, the peak is an impressive sight from Poipu Beach and the town of Koloa on the SE side of the island - when it is visible. On this second visit, I once again returned to Kahili Mountain Park, a private park/school on the SE side of the peak from where the Kahili Ridge Trail commences. This time there was another car in the small turnout when I started off shortly before noon. Read more...

e Haupu viewed from the SE Ridge -- Photo by B. Burd Haupu is the highpoint of a long E-W ridge that separates the Poipu area from Lihue on the southeast side of the island of Kauai. It is a very rugged area with steep cliffs and dense vegetation, with no public trails at all that I know of. Much of the surrounding areas lie on private land, and it appears impossible to reach the ridge without crossing at least some private ranchlands. From either Poipu or Lihue, Haupu looks impressive. At first glance, vertical walls appear to surround the 2,297-foot summit, and even after a good deal of close examination, it is not at all evident that the peak can be climbed. And so I made it the goal of my first week in Kauai to both get a taste for Kauaian cross-country, and to explore the possibility of a route to the summit of Haupu. Route to the summit of Haupu -- B. Burd photo Starting from our condo at Poipu Beach, I naturally focused on getting to the peak from the south side. Utilizing s...

Thursday morning I squeezed into the tiny plane (Paragon Air) that would take me to Molokai. I was reminded how great it is to fly small and low. Even on an overcast & rainy day I could see so much more and the convenience was great, no lines, just get on the plane & go.Met Thomas Yoza & Gene Robinson at the airport, dropped off our signed waiver at the big white house on the hill. We thanked Mrs. Petra for giving permission and she wished us luck. Tom Yoza -- Photo by Nathan Yuen Back at the trail head Thomas took pictures of the sign "Warning, Hazardous Trail, 12 Hours Minimum. At Your Own Risk." etc. After hiking the trail I wanted to go back and add I sign that pointed to this sign saying "It's True!" In my experience most trails are not as difficult as people say. This trail lives up to its reputation. Like the ocean, it must be respected & feared. Do not turn your back on this trail. Do not underestimate its power. O.K. enoug...