Extreme Hiking Hawaii

Around the turn of the century (I love saying that) a group of hardcore HTMCers scouted a prominent windward ridge that divides Waiahole Valley into north and south. They named this ridge “Waiahole Middle” and/or “Kipapa Windward.” Aside from two notches roughly mid way up, their reports indicate a ridge that was otherwise gradual and seemingly “doable.” They managed to get past the lower notch, but stopped at the imposing second notch when common sense prevailed. They were later successful in scaling its neigbor to the north, which is now an advanced Club hike named “Waiahole Uka” (or occassionally “Kipapa Windward.”)  Having less common sense than Dayle and Patrick and crew, Chase and August and I decided to check out the “original” ridge – the one with the notches – to see if we would have better luck. A detour including pie and koi fish (don’t ask) meant that we would have safe parking in the valley, but also a late start. At 9:40am we began into the valley, first on the jeep r...

Day 8 (04/01/12), Konahuanui to Makapuu, 15 hrs, 10 miles Total Pack Weight: 18.6125 lb. The standard trek. It's the cool down from the workout. Enjoy every moment and laugh the entire way. You have made it, but still take caution, now is not the time to injure yourself. If you do not have it in you to finish today there are many camp options. Mariners, Camp Awesome and Chaps to name a few. But you got this so push! Bail: A lot, don’t do it though Pitter patter against the tarp woke me around 6:30 am and I decided to try and wait for it to pass before getting out of bed. Shortly, the rain ceased and I began what would turn out to be the last day of my journey. Today I started with 3L of water to get me to Makapuu and what does idiot me do? Make 500ml of coffee to start the day! Really would have enjoyed that water later in the day. Mistake 3. At K1 there used to a pink ribbon blocking the descent of a side ridge. It is no longer there and in the fog of my morning mind and the excit...

Day 7 (03/31/12) Power lines to K1, 6-10 hrs., ~2.5 miles Total Pack Weight: 22.6125 lb. Civilization? Today we get to visit the Pali Lookout. The issues do not end until summiting Lanihuli. The next section contains the sharks fin, bunny ears(up and down), doorstop(ascend, lower), pimple(lee contour), can opener(windward contour). Summit Lanihuli and have lunch. The initial descent will feel like any portion. From memory you will need to descend and contour leeward until you reach the base of the dirt rock. Use cable to climb the dirt rock. Cross over narrow ridge then climb a baby tooth. Contour leeward and gain elevation. Continue until you reach more teeth. Look right and descend to the contour of hell. Gain ridge, continue, descend contour around 100 ft face. Descend old Pali road and then turn left to hit the road. Walk down road until reach the hairpin turn and fill water containers. Return to the notches the same way. To the notches(1,descend,ascend,2,use rope to descend on the...

Day 6 (03/20/12) N. Haiku-Wilson Tunnel Building, 6.5 hrs, 5 miles Total Pack Weight: 24.6125 lb. This begins the saddles. There were a couple of eroded sections in the beginning. Three I think. Then the eroded dike. The ridge isn't too narrow here but you always slip at the second section. Take your time and tie off if needed. Reach the eroded dike(contour leeward) Gain ridge and reach trail junction. Descend 30 minutes to collect water. Refill all containers. Regain trail and immediately it turns back to serious mode. Three problems face you. Remember contour left when you don't think to and contour right to use the root to climb. Remember to not go too far right and never to climb without veg unless on root. Use two ropes (1 in each hand) to get past the third problem. Soon you will see the pre-Stairs stairs. Climb up to the radar structure. Time depending, go inside for a snack and short break. You have about 1 1/2 hr along the summit ridge until the camp spot. Continue alo...

Day 5 (03/29/12) Waimano - N. Haiku, 8.5 hrs, 5.3 miles Total Pack Weight: 26.6125 lb. Get up early regardless. If you move fast enough you can reach N. Haiku Stairs. At the end of the day the feeling of how far we have truly gone will start to kick in. Water source at Waimalu Middle. There is camping at both Aiea and N. Haiku. If arrive at Aiea past 3:30 then camp there. I prefer under the power lines due to wind blockage. If the winds are gentle enough, the summit offers amazing camping and sunsets/rises. It will result in a push the next day from Aiea to South Haiku stairs and on to Bowman. Waimano - Waimalu Middle 2hr-2hr 30min Waimalu Middle - Aiea 4hr-4hr 30min Aiea to Hidden Haiku 2 hr Camp near in building to block wind Bail: Waimalu Middle, Aiea Pulling myself out of a deep sleep I woke up to clear skies and calm winds. This was the first comfortable and planned night sleeping without a tarp in just a bivy and I loved every minute of it. I felt very rested and ready to take on...

Day 4 (03/28/12) Kipapa-Waimano, 10 hrs, 5.5 miles Total Pack Weight: 28.6125 lb.  If moving fast one can reach Waimano by 2pm. Leave Kipapa as early as possible. Ups and Downs, Ups and Downs. Hopefully, it will be clear skies to motivate you. Remember at the gap to descend right for water. Also, bring your pack because the side ridge gives better access to gain the summit ridge. The gap to the corner involves the use of side ridges or annoying moss climbing and with a heavy pack I suggest the right side ridges. There was water down where I camped that time. From the corner turn right and head to the Manana terminus which feels longer than it takes. Relax, snack, chill at the terminus, you have about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs ahead of you to get to Waimano. You will know when you are getting close, namely because you start to see it in the distance. It is the flat section before the first major ascent. The last section to Waimano always makes me feel like the Konahuanui to Olympus stretch, not...

Day 3 (03/27/12), Poamoho-Kipapa Sugi Pines, 5 miles, 5 hrs  Total Pack Weight: 30.6125 lb. Enjoy today! This is one of the quicker days so I would suggest the trip’s only warm breakfast. Enjoy yourself and make sure you refill all water containers. Leave by 9 a.m. after cleaning up, signing the log, and boarding the place up. I did not find any water after the cabin to Kipapa. If you find it, take it. You will arrive at the Pauao terminus within 30 minutes of leaving the cabin. Enjoy the beauty around you! This is the most enjoyable section of the KST. Around you is Kahana Valley. The S/W junction comes too soon as you know a long leeward stretch is coming up from Waikane to Waiahole Uka. Don’t forget to look for the pink ribbon rusty pole on the right. If you ever look up and see a contour, turn around and find the junction. Remember the set up on the side ridge to the right. Reach sugi pines and decide if want to continue 20 minutes up the landslide to reach true Kipapa terminus...

  Day 2 (03/26/12) Kawailoa-Poamoho Cabin -- 6 miles, 6.5 hr Total Pack Weight: 28.2125lb This is the section with the Poamoho Cabin! Water will be located at the stream near the Cabin and the catchment. The day begins almost immediately following an army made fence for ~15 minutes. There are often 6ft wide clear swaths. The ground is rocky and slippery care is required. The fence will end and the KST nature will return for another 20-30 minutes until coming upon the Kahuku/Koloa Cabin now being rebuilt. You will see the wood structure and supplies all over the site. Continue around it and then turn right to contour correctly. Remember the pig trail. The KST will continue as it does until you reach the Castle trail marked with a metal pole. Got here by 11:30am last time and had lunch. You will reach the cabin fairly early so an early lunch is a good idea. After Castle you will reach the fenced bog, KST signs and army built fences (do not take the steps over the fences ...

Chapter 4:  The Trip Day 1 (03/25/12) Pupukea-Kawaiiloa -- 8 miles, 7.5 hr Total Pack Weight: 34.6125lb It took me 7hrs from 9am-4pm the first time, 8 1/2 hrs the second time, and 7 the third time. Water is located at the falls windward of the camping area, but needs to be filtered because of the crap it is flows through (rusty metal and such). Be prepared for mud up to your knees when going down to the water hole. When it is raining, various small flows could allow collection of water instead of descending to the water hole. The cabin is still there, just try to get there before nightfall for the sunset. Remember the camp at Laie if ever needed. Pupukea-Malaekahana 5-6hrs   Malaekahana-Laie 30-1 hr   Laie-Kawailoa 30min-1hr Camp at the leeward Kawailoa campground or in cabin. Bail: Malaekahana, Laie.

  Chapter 3:  Gear Base Gear List   Pack System   -- 3 items --  18.105 oz. Modified Gossamer Gear Gorilla (1)  13.505 oz   Trash Compactor Liner  (1) 2.2 oz.   Zpacks Multi-use front pack (1)  2.4 oz. Shelter System -- 20 items -- 26.045 oz. Zpacks Hexamid Solo Tarp (1) 4.805 oz Groundhog Stakes (8) 4.415 oz Linelocs (8) 0.225 oz Suluk46 Padded Ground Cloth (1) 3.00 oz Borah Custom Bivy (1) 6.10 oz BD Distance FL Pole (1) 7.50 oz Sleep System -- 4 items -- 36.23 oz. Kooka Bay Pillow XL (1) 2.370  oz Kooka Bay Mummy Pad (1) 14.06 oz WM Summerlite 6’ (1) 19.00 oz Outdoor Research UL Stuff (1) 0.80 oz Cooking System -- 15 items -- 10.51 ozs  Razor blade (1) 0.1 oz Sleeve (1)  0.06 oz Cone (1) 1.48 oz Gram Cracker Hexamine Stove (1) 0.42 oz Esbit Tab (9) 4.5 oz 600 Evernew with lid (1) 3.3 oz Vargo Ti-Folding Spork (1) 0.645 Water System -- 39 items -- 5.06 oz Aquamira tablets (36) 0.81 oz Nalgene Wide-Mouth 96oz (1) 2.25...