Mauna Oahi to Pyramid hike in Kuliouou

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Mauna Oahi to Pyramid - September 19, 2015

I haven't done a hike in a while, well since August. Today was suppose to be a planned overnighter where we were suppose to camp at Mariner's Ridge and bail Kamiloiki. But with the weather being so unpredictable, that wasn't going to happen. Although, today was an awesome weather day. The plan today was to start on Mauna Oahi, summit, make the right on the KST towards the pyramid, and then bail down Hahaione. 

Joining me today was Aprille and Allison. I thought more people would show up today since it would be a short hike, but that would not be the case. I picked up Aprille at 9am in Waikele. Since I didn't hike in so long, I forgot to bring food, WTF? I had to stop by 7-11 in Hawaii Kai to buy a spam musubi and a tuna roll. I love eating 7-11 tuna and salmon rolls. We met Allison a little after 10am and started the hike at the end of Hahaione Street.

Allison hasn't been exercising so her cardio was shot. She also had company over the night before and was feeling the effects of light partying. Aprille has been working out with running and circuit training, so she was good. And, I'm doing marathon training, so I'm on point. It only took us a little over an hour to summit. It was so fast. The summit of Mauna Oahi isn't great or anything, there is vegetation that obscures the views. To the left is Kuliouou which you can see from Mauna Oahi.

uphill

view of Kailua

We started the crossover. I couldn't believe how overgrown it was. I guess all that rain the past few months made a difference. We lost the trail a few times, but made our way. I lead us astray for a bit as I forgot the ridge makes a left turn, so we had to backtrack. 

overgrown KST

pyramid

When we got the to the base of the pyramid, we couldn't find a way up, so we hiked on the KST a bit more and tried to go up the pyramid from the left side. It looked a bit sketchy. I told the girls that I'll try it to see how it would be. I didn't have too much difficulties climbing the left side, but I knew the girls might on two particular sections, so I told them to go right and try come up the right side. They found a route up to the first climb. Allison wasn't sure she wanted to do it. We were going to bail, but I told Aprille she should try it. Aprille started the climb up the pyramid and had no problems. Aprille had lost a lot of confidence in her climbing, not sure why it went away, maybe some bad experiences. She has done Anamolo (Olomana Backside) which is no joke. 

After Aprille's down climb, we convinced Allison to do it. I think she thought it would be sketchy, but she did fine. We summitted and started going down the sometimes narrow ridge. The steepness takes a toll on one's knees. As strong as my knees are from running, it started to hurt going down. Going down was fast, maybe one hour or so. It was pretty easy.

Hahaione Valley

Allison's boyfriend John was making dinner for her, so she couldn't eat a post hike meal. Aprille had to help her Aunt, so she had to bail too. We decided to get a bubble drink in Kalihi at a place called Thang's...one of the best bubble tea's on the island. I think we should just have shave ice or bubble teas on these short hikes since it isn't too much of a calorie burn. 

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