Hiking up a Windward Ridge in Waimanalo

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Kaupo #2-1-2 - January 5, 2014


I was invited via a meeting at Tita’s Grill by a crazy bastid named Baron last Thursday. He invited me on Kaupo 1. I never did any of the Kaupo’s. Today I would have the opportunity to do 2 of them.


The Kaupo Cliffs are ridges that appear vertical. After Sea Life Park is where the cliffs start. I think there are 8 or 9 of them. As far as I know, hikers have done 1,2,3,4..maybe 7. The easiest one is Kaupo #2. There’s a section on Kaupo #1 that is not climbable without gear, so to get to Kaupo 1, one must crossover at a certain point from Kaupo #2. That is what we did today.


We met on a street in Waimanalo near the Tom Tom trailhead. Joining the hike today would be Baron, Cory, Reanne, Troy #2, & “Judge” Darren. I would be in excellent company as these guys blazed trails which cleared the way for the rest of us.


We started at the end of the cul de sac, the trail splits and we went left. We hiked for about 30 minutes until we got to what I think was Kaupo #2 ridge. Then the climbing started. It wasn’t too easy of a climb, it was pretty exposed.


After a bit, Baron led us on a contour towards Kaupo #1 ridge. It got kinda hairy, but the holds were there, albeit some tiny ledges to put your foot on. It was also crumbly. After a while of contouring, we were now on Kaupo #1 at a place called the nipple. Everyone took their turn standing on top of it except me and the other Troy. I thought it was sketchy and not worth the picture. We went down Kaupo #1 for a bit, but I stopped at a rest spot, while Baron and Cory explored further down the ridge. The climb up Kaupo #1 looks gnarly to say the least. We saw a herd of mountain goats on Kaupo 0. Not really sure how they were able to walk on that crumbly ridge.


Baron & Reanne

Darren on rock

exposure was great


There was some great exposure on Kaupo #1, but nothing I couldn’t handle. The holds were good, but needed to be tested. In about 45 minutes, we peaked near the Kamiloiki Terminus and made our way down Kaupo #2. Going down is a bit tricky, but only in the beginning. Then its just methodical down climbing. Kaupo #2 appears a tad more difficult than Tom Tom.


Geo's party at clubhouse

Cory passed out


After the hike, we went to Gio’s party at the HTMC clubhouse and talk stories with all the great hikers in the community.

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