Kauaopuu Loop

November 16th, 2011

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Kauaopuu Loop is a short fun hike w/a bit of danger thrown in.  We hike to the crest of the ridge between Wai`anae and Lualualei valleys.  We go deep into Wai`anae and climb to the ridge crest.  Then we walk makai on the ridge until the point were we take a broad side ridge back to the valley floor.  We then cut across the dry haole koa flats walking in what was once a ditch to bring water across the flats to Kanewai Dam #1.  At the dam we have completed the loop.

Here is a picture taken from my side deck of the ridge.

Here is a panorama picture of lower Wai`anae  Valley.  In the distance is Kamaileunu Ridge and the peaks of Kawiwi and Teddy Bear (No Name Peak).

Shortly before we drop off the crest and return to the valley floor Stanka took this looking mauka.  That's Gene in front, Joseph behind him.  In the red shirt is Tony and next to Tony is me w/my back to the camera.  We all took the normal route down except Gene.  Gene decide to keep following the ridge.  The all the pictures that follow were also taken by Stanka and altered by me.

Gene made it safely across 3 peaks and got down and out before all of us.  Below is a short HiDef video I made of the hike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSpmESis81Q&list=UUdObnyKPx3hfPdYd9-PcuUg&index=1&feature=plcp

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