06-11-2014, 03:54 PM
I estimate the trip to take at least ten to fourteen days. The terra is rough to say the least. The trail up the side of Waipio is two miles long, but is set at a near 45degrees. This alone takes a couple hours at best. Next there is the trip to Waimanu. Another five miles in and out of smaller valleys. A trek that takes approximately 3-4 hours before descending into Waimanu on a path similar to the Z trail up Waipio. Depending on how we feel i reckon we'll make it three quarters of the way into the valley on the first day, and finally into it on the following day. This is seven miles and one or two days. Next, -If we don't take a day to recover.- we'll walk It to the back of the valley. This is another 3-4 miles, and approximately 2-3hours of hiking. Although the terrain is relatively flat, the jungle is thick and hard on the ankles. -at this point no trail cutting should be necessary.- we'll reach the back of the valley and make camp for the next two days. The morning after we get to the base we'll travel up the trail my previous partner and cleared and spend the day doing some maintenance. The following day -if we don't take a break for a day.- we'll hike up the ridge. Whilst the ridge is only 3.5k feet high, and 6.5k long, it is also at 45 degrees, and the trail is roughly cut at best, so travel will be slow at best. I expect it to take us the majority of a day to reach the top and brake camp. So far we've covered 12-13 miles. The next morning we'll head for the top of the stream it crashed into along the old usgs trails. This is another 2-3 miles and 3-4 hours through dense forest. From here well travel down the appropriate stream until we hit our bird. -another 1-2 miles and 2-3 hours.) I have the exact GPS coordinates, as well as a Pn-60 GPS and emergency communicator. -we won't get lost.- once we hit the bomber we'll set camp for the night and leave the geo cash. The next day we'll take some pics, write down some notes, etc. (and possibly take a day off to recover.) than the trip back begins. So that's possibly six or seven days just getting there. Whilst I only think it should actually take us 4-5 days to do the trip in reverse -It now being down hill back into the valley.- I think we should be prepared for it to take as long to get back. So ten days to two weeks, and approximately 18-20 miles. The Kohala ditch trail had a series of land slides along it during the last big earth quake. So that's out the question. We could come down from waimea, but the path would be uncharted and I wouldn't know who to ask permission in waimea. As it stands we have permission to go to the bomber, -but not lapahoehoe Nui.- anyone really interested should email me at Birchrus01@yahoo.com or check me out at Facebook.com/Birchrus01.
"It's not about the destination, it's about the journey."
"It's not about the destination, it's about the journey."
"It's not about the destination, it's about the journey."