Extreme Hiking Hawaii

There are some sketchy sections of the Koolau summit ridge and one of them is the segment from the Moanalua Saddle (reached via the Kulana’ahane trail from deep in Moanalua Valley) to Keahiakahoe and the top of the Haiku Stairs (aka Stairway to Heaven). [Photo at left is by David Chatsuthiphan]. Although not heavily hiked, this section has been done with some regularity in recent years and was documented quite well by David Chatsuthiphan @ Unreal Hawaii, who says... What a hike. We had the good fortune last weekend to be invited to hike the Moanalua Saddle to Haiku Stairs. The hike was lead by Marcus, an avid Oahu extreme hiker. He does this trail frequently and offered to lead us on it. Had he not been available to show us the way, I’m certain that I would not have attempted this trail. It’s very risky. One slip up and you would be tumbling down the mountain. Read more...

    View of Punaluu from Castle Trail As is my weekly custom, I phoned my hiking buddy Laredo Murray on Friday night to suggest a jaunt we could do the next day (Saturday, April 17th, 1999). Sundays are usually reserved for HTM trail clearing. I bounced some possibilities off "Rainbowman" including a combo of the Castle Trail and Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST). Curious as to how long Castle would take and desiring to experience both the lower and upper sections in one day (something I had never done before), I talked Laredo into joining me for the trek. Where we would end the loop was still up in the air (Waikane? Pauao Ridge?). Kent Bien made it a threesome. Read more...

In reading about the recent descent of Lanihuli to the Kalihi Saddle , it was clearly apparent that the lead hiker was Marcus Griego who recently reported the following: Since then, I've done quite a few more. Piliwale down the Notches. Kalihi Saddle to Lanihuli, no ropes. Free climbed down the door stop & pimple. He also indicated the following which included a query: I recently free climbed up the "back side" (of No Name peak) .The 60 foot wall (from Makaha Valley). Was wondering if anybody else has done it before me? Pictured above are the backside of NoName Peak from Makaha, with the topmost photo (by Dave Concepcion) being Marcus on the climb. I'm guessing Marcus is the first. Anyone know? In any case, congrats and good job.