Lulumahu Ridge to Konahuanui: HTMC Superhike

Lulumahu Ridge to Konahuanui: HTMC Superhike

Posted to OHE on 11 November 2001 by Kirby Young

I won't redescribe the route, just some impressions. I was surprised descending the regular Konahuanui trail later in the day to see just how rugged looking Lulumahu ridge was in profile. The ups and downs didn't seem so noticeable during the ascent, maybe because of my slower progress on the indistinct trail.

Wing mentions a lone Ironwood tree about 1/3 way up the ridge on the makai side of a prominent saddle. This had the air of a special place, with the lone Ironwood fronting a knob of ground-hugging native vegetation, with views to windward through the Nu'uanu gap in the Ko'olaus. Very nice.

I was able to watch Wing's progress at various times down-ridge from where I was, and saw him drop into that prominent saddle just before I was engulfed in the cloud-enveloped summit area of Konahuanui 1. With a timely clearing of the clouds while resting at K2, Wing could be clearly seen ascending, with good progress, along the long, final steep section before the summit ridge.

Later, as I departed K2 to head down the Konahuanui Trail, I looked back up at K1. I could distinctly make out MrDr Wing Ng at the top of the steep section, ready for the final rolling-ridge push for the summit. Suddenly he was engulfed in fog, and disappeared from my view. How would it turn out for him? Would it be the fate of Mallory, or the triumph of Hillary? I am glad to hear Hillary won the day. (Apologies for mixing Everest and K2 here...)

Dayle had a great description of our youthful Nuuanu Pali Lookout-to-Konahuanui climber, Drush Fuller. I was amazed at his description of as I departed the summit of K2 for the hike down, Drush was advancing ahead of me. I'm not sure what his objective was, since I thought he intended to get a ride with Dayle back to the Pali Lookout.

Drush was brandishing his wireless phone, however, and maybe he was trying to get a better signal. Or maybe he just wanted to keep moving and stay out of the wind. I did not catch much of what he said over the phone, but it was animated, I think, in describing his climb up from the Lookout (not surprising!). I also heard something about "mountain people" or meeting "people dedicated to the mountains."

At a more eroded and steeper section on the descent, Drush continued to talk on his phone, but suddenly slipped. As his body began to pick up momentum feet-first, he yelled "hold on" to the person on the phone, gently tossed the phone to the side, and used both hands to self arrest what could have been a bone-jarring 20-ft or more ride to the bottom of this pitch. Instead, he only slipped about 8 feet.

As he came to a stop I asked if he was all right, but I almost felt it was a stupid question because he had already bounced up and retrieved his phone. Rubbery youth. After this excitement Drush sat down at pretty much that very spot, and continued to chat on his phone. As I continued to descend, clouds and mist enveloped him.

I certainly enjoyed this hike. Thanks to Dayle Turner and Man(?!) for leading this trip and doing some previous trail clearing.

Kirby