Few more pictures from Olomana

slow night at work so I edited a few more shots i took on my last Olomana outing.

i was trying out a new plug-in I got for photoshop, Nik HDR something... There are 2 settings for b/w shots so I did both and added a layer mask and kept what i liked. Sky looked blah so I did some burning in to darken it.

Another b/w shot. This one I used my older plugin, the Nik silver fx? darn i suck at remembering names lol.

Same picture as the previous post but this one I tried the HDR plugin and some blur for the background..Still cant decide if I like it or not.

Olomana again... july 16th

July 16th, I looked out window and saw it was a cloudy day with good chance of rain so only 2 choices, Koko Crater or Olomana (I hate muddy trails). Since i just did Koko Crater few days ago, Olomana won!
Parked at the bridge, crossed my fingers car wouldnt get broken into and off I went. Met a group of military guys going up so I showed them the "shortcut" to the trail (right past the guards shack). My legs/lungs/body was still tired from my hike up Koko crater 2 days ago so I let the group pass me and i took my time. Great day with lotsa clouds to keep it cool. The hike up the first peak always kicks my butt! But half way up i passed the military group and didnt see them for the rest of the day.

This is where I reach my fav parts of Olomana! Climbing the rocks! Today I did all the rocks w/out using the ropes.. well i usually never use the ropes but hold onto them for a just in case.

Next section of rocks. For a Saturday, there werent that many people on the hike. Guess the cloudy/rainy weather scared them away!!

The last "big" rocks to climb up!! Usually this is the spot a lot of hikers turn around. The climb up here isnt hard at all. Sometimes on busy days, there is a line of hikers waiting to get up this part.

Finally reached the top (almost). There were about 8 people up there sitting down and relaxing.  I talked to a few of them and met 2 guys that were thinking of going on towards the second peak (Paku'i or Ahiki, I always get them mixed up). I told them how easy it was so off they went with me behind them.

View towards the third peak. You can tell how cloudy it was but not cold at all.

Took a bit longer getting to the top of 2nd peak cuz those guys were slow!! j/k. I love when slower groups in front so I can take my time and not rush. Sat down and decided to eat my lunch. It was raining off and on and looking at the third peak, I didnt want to get up there and have it start pouring on me. Ive done peak 3 on rainy days but this day it looked like it might pour!

Nice over cast day too so I finally didnt have to worry about getting sunburnt like always.

Got something to watch eating my lunch, a group of people coming down the third peak.  Some parts of them going down making me want to scream at them lol. I have no clue why people who climb Olomana trust those ropes 100%... I see them only using the ropes and not holding onto the rocks at all. they nuts!! I dont trust poly ropes that have been sitting in the hot sun for god knows how long.

oh yeah, forgot to mention, someone took my rope!! About a week or so ago, I was going down to the third peak and noticed that my rope that I left last time I came here was gone (black nylon rope). I had another in my bag so I replaced it again and tried to tie a super secure knot... Wish i read or carried that rope making e-book i got so I tried my best. Well, I came here today and my new rope.. is gone!! Guess someone liked my shiny new black nylon rope so much they took it home with them!! I have another one in my bag but decided to not replace it.

I always end up taking way to many pictures of the third peak, trying to get the perfect shot!!

Oops again, forgot to put in my picture of my gps at the top of the first peak. I swear the last part going up is about as tuff as Koko Crater lol. Seems about the same steepness. Going down today I had a lot more energy since this is first time I didnt go all the way up to the third peak. But, going down was taking a while, had about  7 people in front of me and they were rookies and were taking long. Finally at one of the rock sections, I got to pass them and then I just ran down the trail swinging from trees!! lol Dumb idea because the ground was slippery from the rain!! Almost fell 2x but with my cat like reflexes, saved myself!!!
overall, a fun day on Olomana!! Kinda felt guilty not doing the third but the rain threat won!!

oo another tidbit. I read online about when that poor guy fell off Olomana and died. At the bottom of the big rocks I saw the spot where other guy who almost fell when he was trying to get his phone. Down below I saw a white para chord next to a tree. I decided that that rope just might give people idea that its another trail so I went down to get it. and darn, that ledge is slippery!! No traction at all!! I grabbed the rope and was going to head up when I saw a walking stick a few feet away... Well, I just had to get get that too lol.. took bit of a stretch but i finally got it w/out falling to my death. Now, time to get back up and duh, i had one hand holding the rope and the other hand holding a walking stick.. How to get up!!?? lol..  well, just tossed the stick up and struggled my way up. That ledge is not a good place to get stuck on!!

so, anyone lose a hiking stick and needs it back, lmk!!!

whew, what a hike!! I had an odd day off, tuesday so decided to hit Koko Crater again. Started about 10am and carrying 20lbs of stuff wasnt a good idea!!

Start of the hike and there sure are some nice scenery at Koko Crater!

I was trying out my 10-22mm lens today with a bunch of other lenses in my heavy back pack. Really super wide!!

Start of the dreaded stairmaster from ..... I know I shouldnt have went at 10am ish. way too hot but few clouds helped.

Further along the trail you can see the backlog of hikers!! I didnt expect to see so many today. Makes it more fun and you get to try keep up with other groups.

Nearing the top, we hit the choochoo train of tired hikers!! I was amoung the group cuz by now I was feeling the heat and the weight of my bag.

And made it!! Took me an embarrasing 40mins to get up lol!! Usually aim for the low 20s but too much junk with me!! Fun part had a ton of girls up there! And all friendly fyi!

View towards Diamond head! What a great day to be on top of the world errrr Koko Crater!

Once I was at the top, it was super early so I decided to check out the west rim. Ive done it 2x so off I went. Only hard part was the start, straight down but doable. Not too far along the way I saw this kewl tree that screamed "black and white"!

Further along the way you start hitting the hard parts. Rock walking with nice drops on the sides. As long as you take your time and make sure you have a good place for your feet, no problems!

Hard part of doing the rim walk clock-wise is you keep thinking your are over the hard parts and BAM, another section of rocks to cross. There isnt much of a trail because cant tie ribbons onto rocks so you have to find your own way.

Getting closer to the end errr the half way mark! I kept thinking okay, this is the last section of rocks then im home free, and I run into another rock climb lol.

View towards the top. By this time I was feeling the heat! Almost finished my first bottle of water. Sure with i brought my regular backpack with my lunch in it.

Nice big cactus!! On later parts of the trail, you start running into them along the trail and man those needles are sharp and long! Got more then a few scratches and pokes.

Yes, more rocks...

Another tree that screamed B/W! I love the textures on it. Gave me good excuse to take a break.

By now I was tired of rocks!! I wanted this thing to end already lol.

Aha! Finally the end is near. This part is where you will get a bunch of scratches from the koa trees and cactus and keawe bushes!

I was too tired to take many pictures in the botanical garden but ugh, I couldnt find the trail back up the east rim! I walked all over that garden looking for it. Finally gave up after 30+ minutes and just trail blazed my way up!! Got lucky and hit an easy way up the mountain w/out sliding all the way back down. Here's the view towards the top. It was a long, long way to go when you are tired. I could barely lift my feet and took way more then a few breaks.

And hears my gps readings of the trip!! Almost 5 miles in the hot sun! Almost 3,000 feet of climbing!! Ignore the 2:26 minutes of non-movement lol!!

Lanipo!!

OMG i totally died on this one! It was soo hot and i havent hiked in 3 weeks (just hitting gym) so i had zero energy!! I made it total  6 miles and i was dragging my butt each step!

ill post up the hiking shots later, for a change i took pictures of all the plants i saw (yeah , im strange)

no idea what this one is..

Ohia flowers

Ohia flower w/out all the petals

dainty fern

this fern was out in full force and made me glad i had long pants on.

Tiny flower, not many on this trail tho.

No idea...

Really shiny leaves

Tiny flower, tuff to shoot cuz of the wind.

Looked neat, pretty small tho.

Grows on trees

Unknown orchid

Fern but not too many of these on this trail

Really small, grows on trees

really strong leaves

a weed but looked kewl.

this is a tree trunk, super rough. Id hate to try climb it.

tiny flowers, neat that 2 diff colors on same plant.

Pretty purple flowers, not many blooming today.

Lotsa these, no idea.. wonder if taste good? j/k

If u like cherry guava's (think thats what called) there were tons!!

Really thick leaves!

Saw just one of these growing

Orchid right at start of trail..