Exploring a Way to Three Corners

 Three Corners to King Kong - February 18, 2018

This hike can be considered under multiple categories. Other than a super hike, it can be under a storied hike, difficult hike, and secret hike. 

This hike had all of the obstacles you'd want for exploration. 

Baron initially cancelled this hike earlier in the week, but put it back on. We were to explore Makaha Valley, Baron's annual February thru March hiking schedule. His plan was to go up an unnamed ridge to Three Corners and crossover to King Kong and loop it. We were unsure what we were in for, could be overgrown terrain, sketchy rock faces, bad weather. 

We met at Makaha Towers at 7am. Bernice drove Darren and I. Baron drove Ted and Denise. It would be 6 of us today. We were all prepared for a long day. As we said our hellos, we saw Gene walk uphill towards the parking lot. Baron said Gene will show us the junction to the unnamed ridge. I thought sweet, we won't have to spend the time looking for trail leading up to Three Corners.

Gene led a frantic pace. It was almost like he was jogging. I broke into a real bad sweat early in the hike which was good because the alcohol from the previous night could escape. Gene said Board of Water Supply is monitoring the place, so from the road we immediately went onto the H4 trail to hide. In about 1 hour we hit a junction. 

The initial hike up the ridge was basic, some overgrowth, but nothing too difficult, albeit a steep ass hill. The hill got really steep in a hurry. My cardio was tested. Our group took a lot of breaks. Ted was flying up the hill and had to wait for us for some time. We were pretty tired when the ridge exposed itself and we were standing in front of a 10 foot vertical rock face. Just then, Baron cut himself grazing his ring finger on his looper while trying to trim some branches. He started bleeding profusely. I had problems with my spikes so I wasn't paying attention. At the corner of my eye, I seen blood dripping down Baron's finger. I was like, "you need band aid?" That was a stupid remark as he needed more than that. We all looked into our first aid kits and patched Baron's finger up, 'a really good job' if I do say so myself. 

Darren lead the group and we negotiated it without major issue although it was pretty sketchy. A 500 foot vertical drop was to the left. There was one move I remember, that you had to lean your body to the left side on a hold which got the adrenaline going. The second rock face looked real sketchy. Darren felt he could do it, but didn't feel it was safe because we would have to contour to the right to get to a ledge. The problem was that the contour was ready to break off. After discussion, we wanted to be safe than sorry. However, we had to down climb. The down climb was exciting and if someone saw us from the valley they would be in awe. "Who dees fuckas think they are?, down climbing that vertical shit!" 

Once we down climbed we push through the overgrowth and got to the right side of the ridge near a gully. Baron suggested we go through the gully and try find a way to the next ridge over. We went through the path of least resistance and found our way to the next ridge over. We all knew that the ridge we were on now had an exposed section with rock faces. It was clear as a vog free day what we were up against because we had a close view from the ridge we were just on. 

After some minor bushwhacking on uneven terrain. We had to negotiated I'd say about 4 or 5 rock faces not more than 15 feet in height. Some were sketchy, some technical. I remember we dropped webbing on one of the faces. The climbs weren't too bad. What made it difficult was the overgrown trees protruding around the rock faces. Contorting your body to get around the branches all the while keeping your hold proved to be an obstacle, one that everyone in the group was ready to face. 

After about one hour of climbing, we topped out at a very hot Waianae summit. We were in the middle of the peak of Ohikilolo and Three Corners. We still had a while to go to get to Three Corners. I was tired already and we had to battle the heat. I started consuming most of my water. Ted again led the charge. I was near exhaustion: heat, tight legs, dehydration. The only thing that kept me going was my spirit and desire to get to Three Corners again. Even though it was hot, the clouds were spectacular today! When the clouds are spectacular, you know the view will be spectacular. 

Darren at 3 Corners

It might have been only a little after 1pm when we got to Three Corners. It was Bernice's first time and she was so happy. I was happy too! The view in my opinion is the second best in the Waianaes, rivaling: Ka'ala, Palikea, Ohikilolo, and Makua Rim. After a long break, we kept on the WST towards Ka'ala Road. The uluhe was unforgiving and I had to put my sleeves on, kinda late as I had bad scratches on my arms and knees. But at least, I could prevent any more major scratching. On the way, I took as much pictures as I could of plants. There were a lot of plants Bernice and I couldn't identify and it was bothersome.    

The overgrowth got so bad, that we bailed down a fence line to Ka'ala Road. Once on the Ka'ala road we were in the clear and all that fighting we did for the past 6 hours was almost over. At the King Kong junction we took a break and got ready to bail down King Kong. The clouds rolled in over the road and I thought that was the coolest thing we saw on the hike today other than the view from Three Corners.

Clouds rolling in

After about a 1/2 hour break, we started down King Kong Ridge. It was very uneven, but Waianae Steve put a lot of webbing to aid. It was kinda overdose on the webbing, but it kept things safe. About 30 minutes down the ridge, we hit two massive boulders. These boulders resemble King Kong, thus the name of King Kong Ridge. We took a 45 minute break at the boulders, not sure why, but I know everyone was hurting and needed a break. 

Baron on the side of the King Kong Boulder

The rest of the hike was pleasant, it became fun. The ridge isn't too steep and we took it easy. In the valley now, we decided to take the service road out. Near the beginning, lots of kids were in the valley to hang out. 

Bernice had to go straight home after the hike, but post hike meal was at Brick Oven Pizza in Kapolei. Their pizza is so damn expensive. They must make a killing.