Picking up where we left off...

Last weekend we hike Waianae.  The following weekend we hiked again where we left off.  We finished a traverse to the tallest peak on Oahu, Ka'ala.  It would be the first time I'd be trekking to the tallest peak on the island. 

Our start point was our end point the week before.  Going up a spur ridge in muggy humid conditions was not ideal.  The weather forecast called for thunderstorms in the afternoon so we started early.  We hit the top of the spur ridge before noon. 

We took a left at the top and worked our way up.  We followed the fence all the way to the top.  On our way we encountered mean black berry that hindered our hiking.  The black berry was very thorny.  We also encountered a sketchy section just before the summit.  It was roped up but still made for slow progress because of the scrambling and climbing involved in this section. 

Once we hit the bog we made a quick effort to meet Cory's colleagues (Norine) studying snails.  We were a little later than anticipated.  The purpose of meeting was to be taught by Norine about the snails that live up in Ka'ala.  We were pressed for time but fortunately Cory found a snail that peaked her interest. 

We made our way through the bog quickly pointing out all the native fauna and flora.  We reached the radar and made our way around the fence line only to find out that the north side was socked in and had no views. 

Luckily we arranged for a ride down an access road so we didn't have to hike down. 

Started off early in the morning.

Just after Jen and Jay got stung by wasps, taking a break.

The view from our spur ridge.  

 The panorama feature on the iphone is pretty darn good!

Following the fence up on the summit trail.  

Our end goal was there!

Looking back towards the second tallest peak, Kalena

Thomas helping Jen out during a tricky section just below the summit.

Met Norine on the boardwalk.  She was pointing out a vine that is native on the Big Island and doesn't belong here.  

This fence keeps out ungulates.

The group deciding what our next step is. 

The view was obscured by clouds but I got to see native lobelias so the trip was well worth it around the fence.

Cory spotted a few of these snails in the bog.  

Kahuli

Picking up where we left off... from Ryan Chang on Vimeo.

Multiple choices... Hope I picked the right one.

On Sunday night I still wasn't sure what hike I wanted to do on the holiday Martin Luther King day.  There were so many options of ridge trails because the sky was so clear!  So I told my friend let's keep our options open and see what Monday brings us!

When I woke up the skies seemed gray.  I was quite disappointed but as I started to drive to meet up with them the summits were clear of clouds.  It was a perfect day because the sun wouldn't be beating down on us as we would climb the ridge to the tallest peak on the Ko'olaus.

When I arrived at our meet spot I suggested we do the hike to the tallest peak and told them how long it'll take, they were hesitant at first but they agreed.  We piled into one car and made our way to the trail head.  In order to do this hike you have to connect multiple trails to get to the trail head of the main trail we needed to take.  We raced through the forest and got there in less than an hour!  When we got there I was ecstatic because the weather at the top seemed to be clear!  Since we hiked so fast through the forest we slowed down the pace to a more moderate pace and took breaks as we climbed our way to the top.  We took in all the town side views as we made our way up too!

After three hours of hiking we took a long break at the summit.  When we reached it the clouds started to sock us in but soon cleared because the trades were blowing at a moderate pace.  We saw all the windward ridges and the main trail along the summit.  We were supposed to hike out the same way but I threw in that we should at least cross over to another ridge and make our way down a different way.

We hit another trail to cross over to Manoa Valley.  It took us a little over an hour to cross over but we still had amazing views of the windward side.  We made our way down to Manoa Valley and took a quick swim in one of the stream holes and made our way out.  Our friend Kyle had managed to get us a ride from her friend back to our car.

Enjoy the pics

-Ryan

 Group Go Pro Photo at the summit!

Looking up at clear summits but soon got overcast!

 Town side shot!

 Honolulu International Airport

 Ugly guy ruining the pic! 

Summit Trek to Manoa from Ryan Chang on Vimeo.

2nd is best

I love hiking to waterfalls and today was no different.  This weekend I thought the showers would go away and there would be clear summit views with cloudless skies.  I was wrong!  Last night I made a last minute decision to hike again with a new group.  I was invited again by Kyle, we hiked to some waterfalls in Palolo other wise known as Ka'au Crater or Waiamao stream.  I got to meet a new group of hikers today and they are called W.H.O.R.E.S. (We Hike Oahu's Really Enjoyable Summits) led by Del.
Today I noticed at the trail head that there were so many cars.  More than I had ever seen before for this hike and it made it difficult to find parking.  I quickly got ready because the group had been waiting for me for the past 5 or so minutes and I noticed that the ground was really muddy, water was flowing down the street and light rain was falling.  I was stoked because that meant there was going to be some nice waterfalls.  We pushed off a little after 9 and hiked down to the stream and followed the river bed and pipe.  About 15-20 mins we ran into a few groups of hikers.  These were the guys that had taken up all the parking at the trail head.  I had some small talk with them, asking if the had done the trail before... A lot of them haven't even done it and I told them that they were in for a treat today!  Our group passed a group or two and we made a single file line behind another group arriving at the first waterfall.  I and a few other hikers from our group decided against it because literally there were about 15 people down at the first falls and in front of the pool.  All I wanted to do was take some pictures alone or with the company of my group.  We arrived at the second falls and it was really gorgeous today!  (I had always thought the second waterfall is the best on this hike.)  The rest of the group followed suit and came up shortly after us.  We took a group picture and some shots of the waterfall; we exchanged stories of previous hikes and such.  After snapping some pictures we decided to part ways and a few of us had to return for lunch plans, I on the other hand had to start some homework I've been procrastinating on.  So me and two other hikers from our group trodded back to our cars all muddy yet satisfied on our mornings journey.

 Stoked to see her flowing (shaka)

 Of course the group picture

 Where unicorns drink water from

 Sheeting on a cliff