Back to the Koʻolau Summit Ridge

Full video, available in 4k.

The Koʻolau summit ridge is like nowhere else in the world. The sometimes razor thin and crumbling spine of the Koʻolau mountain range starts from Pūpūkea and ends at the Makapuʻu lookout. It has a long and complex history, being a combination of old Hawaiian created trail, US armed forces created trail and modern hiker created trail. Iʻm not going to get into the history or the semantics of it here. I know certain parts of it like the back of my hand, and other parts I know nothing about. What I know for sure is that I love being up there, and thatʻs what matters to me. 

As I park at the trailhead I experience a mild panic attack- I forgot my two bambo sticks at home. Luckily I have my trusty TOPS Shadow Tracker 2 knife with me. This is my go to knife for rugged mountain stuff, which usually equates to chopping down small trees. This time I have to find an appropriately sized strawberry guava tree to use as a walking staff and a tentpole. It’s not hard to find, strawberry guava is an invasive species here and grows pretty much everywhere.

Chopping da strawberry guava with the TOPS shadow tracker 2

Hiking the summit ridge is not for the faint of heart- itʻs an advanced ridge trail with rapidly changing weather conditions and environmental factors. Like I always say, “It's doable but just donʻt fall brah.” There are many places where you take one wrong step and you’ll plunge 1000ft+ to your death and your bones will join the hidden bones of the old Hawaiians. It’s doable though. Backpacking along the Koʻolau summit is pretty rugged, especially when you’re carrying 40+ lbs of gear, but I make it to the campsite unscathed except for the mild heat stroke and constant nausea from being fat and hungover and doing intense exercise. 

Shouldn’t have had those 10 beers last night

I make it up to the campsite with no real problems (besides being way out of shape) and setup camp. On the menu is simple Pork Bourguignon with hot jasmine rice. I’ve been using pork more often since it’s cheaper than beef and I’m broke, but I found that chunks of pork butt tend to have a nicer texture in my stews than the average cut of beef chuck roast or stew meat. It all depends on the quality and marbling of the meat you start with, and from what part of the cow your meat is coming from, but we tryna save money out here. Pork stew ended up delicious, flavored with the traditional elements of beer, hunger and booze. 

Buggah was ʻono

I slept okay, for the most part. My ultralight cot makes sleeping on the bumpy and uneven ground much more tolerable, perhaps even enjoyable, but sleep is still nebulous up on the ridge. I have review for that cot coming soon. It stormed every now and then, and the occasional paranoid thought, “is my tent flapping more because a stake was pulled up? Or is it just my imagination?” All part of the game when you’re camping in the high wind. I haven’t been up to this spot in a long time, since before my shoulder injury so a return was long overdue. The wind has a different quality up in the high and isolated places, and on the Koʻolau summit ridge the wind has a life of its own. Nights are always interesting out here, wondering what spirits are carried with the whipping wind. I’ve slept in all kinds of different conditions, both elemental and spiritual, and no matter what happens during the night the sun is always just a few hours away and brings with it the return journey home.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2- night time on the ridge

Go ahead and watch the full video of this trip if you haven’t already. Do me a favor, like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel and you’ll be the first to know when new stuff comes out. If you appreciate these videos please consider making a small donation below to the gear/food/booze fund, or subscribing to the members only section of my website where you’ll find exclusive pictures and videos and more. Most importantly, enjoy yourself and be safe out on the trails.

Gear list for this trip:

Camera: Sony a7siii

Tripod: Peak Design Carbon Fiber

Mic: Rode VideomicNTG

Pack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest

Tent: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2

Cot: Thermarest ultralight w/ mesh

Inflatable Pad: Thermarest Uberlite

Cook system: Trangia 27 ultralight stove with 2.5L billy pot

Knife: Tops Shadow Tracker II

Stick: Strawb Guavb

Aloha,

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