Mo'ole, Alewa Ridge, Lanihuli, Kekoalele

Thirteen members joined me today for an HTMC hike in upper Nuuanu.
Hikers included Arnold Fujioka, Dave Webb, Dave Waller, Deb Kuster, Rich
Jacobson, Ed Gilman, Pat Enomoto, Hiroshi Sakae, Tom Anderson, Don Piburn,
Janice Nako-Piburn, Ben McBride, and Gary Christal.  Wing Ng also showed
up and was hiking unofficially.  There were two last minute drop-outs.

First off, thanks are extended to Pat and Wing who helped with the vehicle
shuttle from Puiwa Road in lower Nuuanu to our starting point by the
hunter check-in at the top of Nuuanu Pali Drive.  We began hiking at just
about 8 on the dot, and just like this past Wednesday we were joined by
the same Waianae bowhunter.

After we entered the forest, I stopped to brief the group about the hike
and in particular reminded them about one-at-a-time-on-a-cable protocol
and carefulness when climbing one after another, especially in areas with
loose rock.  In 15 minutes, we had reached the tunnel, where most stopped
to dig out flashlights from their packs (I recommended that each bring a
light). We sloshed our way through the tunnel and folks commented how
interesting it was to have something different like this as part of the
hike.  In about five minutes, we all were through the rocky portal and we
then proceeded up Hillebrand Glen (aka Mo'ole Valley). Wing had fallen
behind by this point, and we would not see him again for the rest of the
day.  Ditto for the hunter, who, on the way to the tunnel, had peeled off
from our group to make his way off-trail in search of pua'a.

We moved cautiously but steadily up the valley, hiking in the stream at
times and contouring high above it to avoid large waterfalls at
others.  At one fairly large falls, where there is a long rope on the
right, half a dozen of us found a way on the left to get past the falls. 

Without incident, we reached the junction where we would leave the valley
and then began the climb up to Alewa Ridge.  The wind was blowing with
decent strength today and not once did it rain.  High clouds blocked out
the impact of the sun, making for pleasant hiking conditions.

After the 15-minute climb to Alewa Ridge, we all turned right to climb to
Pu'u Lanihuli, at 2,700 feet one of the higher peaks in the eastern
Koolaus.  The trail to it was muddy, and after we went up then down
Lanihuli, there'd be no doubt about our presence on this day.   We spent
about half an hour at the summit, with clear views to windward (Kaneohe &
Kaneohe Bay) and leeward (Nuuanu extending makai to downtown
Honolulu). While sitting down to rest, I tried radioing HTMC Waimanalo
(clubhouse day), but heard no response.

A bit past 10:30, the group, seemingly a bit angsted and roaring to go,
had saddled up and  begun the descent of Alewa Ridge to its eventual
junction with Kekoalele Ridge at Napu'umaia.  This segment of the hike
went smoothly and quickly.  At one point, I whooped out down into Mo'ole
to see if I'd net a response from La Wingo.  Sure enough, a whoop rang out
in return.  It seems that Wing had made it a good way up the valley and
likely would be successful in eventually acquiring Alewa Ridge via the
same trail we had used.  I'm sure he'll post his report later tonight.

A few minutes past noon, we had reached the junction with Kekoalele Ridge
and was heading down it.  Rich and Ed, who'd hiked the route with me on
Wednesday, were out in front guiding the bulk of the group on the
descent.  I hung back as sweep and spent most of the time hiking with Dave
Webb and Gary.  Dave, who's a teacher at Mililani High, and I talked about
the impending strikes we both are facing.  At a pleasant section along a
dike with nice view, Dave and I stopped to rest and eat lunch.  Dave is
planning a backpack trip up Mauna Loa later this month, and we talked
about that a bit.

Via walkie-talkie communication with Rich, I heard that the leaders were
out at Country Club Road by 1 p.m. Hiking near the back of the group, I
waited for the last person, who arrived at the park on Puiwa Road at
1:30. Later, when I drove up Pali Highway to the point where we'd started,
I saw Wing's car was still there.  I left a note on his windshield, asking
that he call me when he makes it back to his vehicle.  It's 3:30 p.m. as
I'm typing this.  That's still early.  He has three more hours of
daylight. I'm sure he'll make it.

Overall, a successful hike it was.  Most, including I, was surprised by
how soon we all were finished.  To me, how fast we finished isn't
important; that we all had a good time and finished without a mishap is.

Go HTMC!

--dkt