Hike 9: Kapilau Ridge-Editor's Choice

The goal is the mid-peak--wish I knew before the climb

Jenni arrives at the summit 4 pounds lighter

Looking down at the trail from 3/4 way up. Where's the trail?

Dear Diary,

We have said it before. The West Maui Mountain range is beautiful. It may not be the biggest or highest but then size is not the determinant of quality. Between the mountain and the changing cloud formations, we feel mesmerized. Shrubbery covers the mountain completely unless you happen to be examining it from close-up. The views of the city and especially of the ocean and its blue shades are stunning. We’ll miss the mountain and its big sister of the eastern side of the island.

Why we like the West Maui Mountains so much

From summit--town, docks and airport

We cannot remember doing a more strenuous hike including some very difficult parts, too. Rope would have been very useful today. We may be a bit more technical about the climb—it was a climb—and you might wonder why we are addressing our diary (especially as we don’t have one). We envision a time that the bodies will no longer cooperate with the minds. It may be nice to look back and see the silly things we did when we were ‘kids’. Isn’t perspective a wonderful concept?

'Gutsy' editor although less guts at peak

Hmm..another of life's slippery slopes

The trail is not maintained so it involves bushwhacking. It felt more like whacking Lazarow to us. When we look at our editor, we get the guilty feeling as the scratches and cuts cover her legs and arms. By the way, this is the trailhead known as telephone pole# five. No wonder we had the trail to ourselves. Nobody wants it. The intelligent person might pose the question: Why did you continue? Good question. Each time we reached a difficult part, we asked: Should we return? In effect, we challenged each other, neither party giving in although trying to convince the other to turn around. We were also naughty. Halfway up is a fence installed unbeknown to the hiking guidebook. We faced another decision. We do try to be honest especially when it’s prudent. Then other times not. If you are able to understand this please let us know—we have no idea what we wrote—it just sounds good. Perhaps we are becoming ‘intellectuals’ after all. ‘Don’t go there,’ is the expression covering our editor’s face, the parts without scratches. We digress. We climbed over the fence and proceeded.

'Illegal crossing': a way of seeking government handouts?

It was tough and a little treacherous, at times. We gained over 2,000 feet in just over two miles without any switchbacks—a straight line towards the sky. Forgive us if we seem to be indulging ourselves but we want to be accurate for the diary.

Decision affirmative. I'm going further up

It was another occasion to be pleased that Dr. Kane put titanium into our body. We think of him as the hip’est doctor west of the Mississippi. We wonder if we should ask him whether he performs surgery of the brain. Anyway, adrenaline was pumping, glands were sweating, muscles were straining, the breath was short but the views were incredible and the feeling was of satisfaction. It was a great experience and nice to know the bodies were functioning. We are now trying to bring the Shabbos in early—we need the additional rest.

Jenni whacked

Cheers,

'Nutty Editor'and Jeffrey