Loop of Waiahole Middle (aka Old Kipapa Windward) to Waiahole Uka (Current Kipapa Windward?)
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 road,