Ko'olau Summit Trail: The Hardest Hike in the World You've Never Heard Of
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Please do not attempt to hike the entirety of this trail without having hiked all sections of it separately first and being extremely comfortable on it. This video does not show a lot of the difficult parts of the trail that require climbing experience and attention to detail to avoid falling off of a cliff. Weather and trail conditions can change within the blink of an eye and can lead to serious injury or death.
Link to my KST write-up: drive.google.c...
*I mentioned in the video that K1 is the highest point on the island. I meant to say that K1 is the highest point in the Ko’olaus. Mount Ka’ala is the highest point on the island.
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I think only those people who have experienced what this trail is like can truly appreciate the scale of your accomplishment. I have to laugh at your casual recount of what are some harrowing and extremely difficult passages. Well done, but I am sorry your feat was not fully documented with more first-person video. You’ve earned massive respect from those who know.
Thank you! It’s definitely a trail that you have to experience in person to appreciate the magnitude of the difficulty of it
@@kanoapick6620what would you say is the hardest, gnarliest spot on the trail? The views and panoramas are absolutely exquisite.
@@miketausig4205 For sure the Kalihi Saddle is the most dangerous and scary section of the trail. I didn’t film much of it, but there’s other good videos on TH-cam that show just how terrifying it is.
@@kanoapick6620 I’ll check in to it. What a beautiful place though. You are lucky to a be a part of such an amazing area.
I hiked the KST on the weekends in sections. The Pupukea-Ko'loa section mudpit went up to my knees. We slept outside the Ko'loa cabin (we did Pupukea to Poamoho section). The worst section for me was Manana to Kipapa (it was raining, windy, and cold). The hardest section for me was from Pali Notches to K1 (climbing up the Chimney was brutal). I give you credit you did it in 1 shot. Bravo! You should have stash water on the trail before you did the entire KST 😮. My last section was Aiea to Stairway to Hell. I loved the view on that section!
Dude doing that stuff in wet and windy conditions is gnarly. You got a big set of balls.
Thank you
Nice trek young man. A friend and I did the trail from Makakilo to Kaena Point 4 times in 1981 and 82. Didn't know anything about This Koolau Trail- well done!
@@trumpetmano Epic adventure! Thanks
Awesome feat of strength and endurance. My son and I hiked many portions of the trail back in the 90s and laid the extension cord cable I believe is still hanging from the Anvil Rock on Lanihuli. I sent him a link to this video so he can enjoy your tale too. We both live on the mainland now so good memories of good times together.
That’s awesome! I believe that extension cord cable is still there on the anvil rock. Thanks for putting it there
Can't believe you don't have a million views on this video. Amazing hike and even better content. Much appreciated.
@@dreams2reality410 Thanks!
Thanks for taking us along. Way to achieve this. It is definitely a teir1 challenge that most adventurers have never heard of. And my lawd what scenery. Like nowhere on earth.
@@CoIoneIPanic Thank you!
Wow man... thank you so much for showing us your journey. Last summer I was solo backpacking in Oahu and Kauai and did the Kalalau Trail, Waimea Canyon, Stairway to Heaven via Moanaloa Ridge, and Olomana Trail (all three peaks). Your journey teleported me back to those memories and recaptured that magic. Thank you for returning that inspiration to me! Keep being awesome and following your heart.
Thank you! Those are all fantastic hikes. Glad you got to experience them
I've scourge TH-cam daily for the past 20 years nearly. I find videos I enjoy everyday, multiple times a day, but rarely does a video ever earn an actual like. Kudos brother.
@@FpSNet Appreciate it! Thank you
This was one of the most gratifying and meaningful videos I have ever come across. Having grown up at the base one end of the hike and having hiked up this very mountain but at the most minimal of terrain, it has been my dream to experience the conditions and topography at these razor sharp traverses, I am so humbled and proud of what you’ve shown the world.
@@tfurubay Thank you for the kind comment! Glad I could share the beauty of this trail with you.
I’m Oahu born and raised. I’ve only done bits and pieces of these trails throughout my life but I know how rugged these trails can be. Big respect for pushing through and accomplishing that epic trek!
@@Randimal762 Thanks!
Had no idea this trail existed. Understand the tricky footwork and the steep drops involved Beautiful to see the island from this perspective
Mahalo! It’s definitely beautiful and also dangerous
@@kanoapick6620 Yup, my mother almost died on part of it. I went up by Pali notches on the ridge side and saw how if I missed a step, it was at least a two hundred foot drop. Went up the other side of the Pali also, up to where that steep cut is about 2-3 hundred feet up from the parking lot. No joke. Congrats
Well done, Kanoa. You are very modest in not showing or mentioning the really scary, very dangerous, narrow ridge sections of that trail.
Haha I only didn’t film the sketchy parts because I was too scared to be multitasking
@@kanoapick6620
Haha! Spoken like the real, down-to-earth kind of guy you come across as in your epic video.
Much respect bradda.
I grew up on Kauai. Had these friends that used to hunt goats up Waimea Canyon.
I was way, way too chicken to go where they did.
Mahalo, Kanoa.
@@reddiver7293 Mahalo! That goat hunting stuff is pretty crazy
Just found this video. As a Ko'olau hiking duffer, l am in total awe! You 're a remarkable young man. I hope you're planning to post other videos of your superhuman accomplishments!
@@lucaswa Thank you! Appreciate it
Beautiful Hike! Dude the visuals.
@@adamhenke-h8t Thanks!
Respect! That is a trek, and sleeping on the ridge, crazy
@@LiV_LiKe_DiS76 Appreciate it!
Nice, did this in 2017 right after ryans go. Mostly unsupported definitely a hike to remember. Congratulations on the achievement welcome to the club lol
@@enpotter Thanks! Congrats to you too
Mad respect to you for having the balls to solo adventure the way that you do!
@@BobI-jb4rk Thanks!
That’s so firing hot from one end to the other end of the Ko’olau Ridges 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 well respected BRAVO 💪🏽
@@hawaiianitedivah Mahalo!
I love these random niche youtube videos like this. This is so well done.
In the future I would love to see a prior explanation/context on why the KST is difficult
Instead of jumping to the future just hope he includes us in more adventures first.
Impressive didn’t even know you could hike the whole ridge! Your a brave one and nice content 🤙🏾
Thank you!
I thought I was nutts running ultras. You’re a beast. KST is the hardest not very known trail because there’s very few water sources. I feel like you finished that hike on record time! Congrats.
Thanks! Ultras are pretty crazy too. Never done one of those before, but that’s on the bucket list for sure.
Great video, enjoy it a lot. Glad you made it through safely.
@@kovar2344 Thanks
Ae, e hoomaikai no! Killed it brah! Many have attempted, so few have even gotten halfway. Glad you made it, but glad you got to some water at the end!
Thanks! That first sip of water felt amazing
insane... ive done parts of that hike since i was a kid, wouldve never done the whole thing in one go LOL.. great experience and thank you for taking us along! cheeeee!!
@@pilau Mahalo
Total respect, especially for the amount of time it took. Even though most maps show a dotted line on the ridge, I wasn't sure if it was actually a for real trail.
@@ranradd Thank you! You’re right that it’s barely a trail. A lot of it is overgrown and requires some bushwhacking
Thanks for sharing. Ive done many of the individual Ko'olau hikes. Interested in maybe doing the full through hike one day.
Unless you've hiked on Oahu Before you have no idea how insanely hard this is.
Yeah this video does not do it justice
Thanks for sharing your experience! Beautiful views and amazing accomplishment. Aloha
@@Kehaulaninapua808 No problem! Thanks for watching
Hell yea! You definitely made the saddles look like a breeze, but cool to see the push in one shot!
Yeah I wish I had filmed more on the saddles to show how sketchy they really are, but I was just trying to push through them quickly and safely, so filming got put on the back burner
I remember hearing about this hike for the first time a few years back. You might be one of a handful of people that have ever done this hike!
Meeean video!!! Mahalos for sharing 🤙🏽 Crazy you did it solo & also sleeping over in those parts of the Ko’olau. Glad you made it back safely & mahalos bradda Gavin for meeting you at the finish. Thank You again for sharing 🤙🏽
Mahalo! I was glad to have Gavin with me at the finish! I was struggling at the end for sure
Amazing accomplishment that people only dream of. Well done!!
Thank you!
🎉 congrats! That’s amazing! Never attempted one shot, only done it in sections.
Thank you!
I could never do those ledges. God bless you 🙏
Right On 👍🏼 Bradah balls of steel 🫡✊🏽🔥👍🏼
@@Alavaboyy Mahalo
Congratulations on making it through on the hikes. Gorgeous views from uptop. Props to you on making the whole hike...not many people can say they did the whole hike.
Thank you!
This is an impressive accomplishment. Congratulations on this!
@@ptj6412 Thank you!
Great Video. I am inspired. Thank you
Thank you!
Aloha Bra. Who put in the pig fencing and why? Thanks for the video 👍
@@REALPERSON-mv9mp Aloha! Good question. There is fencing all along the northern end of the KST to protect the native plants from the pigs. I believe it was the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife that put the fencing in.
@@kanoapick6620 thank you, thanks again enjoyed seeing the views
Good video I enjoyed it. Do you have socials would be good to talk to some like minded people.
Thanks! Instagram: @kanoapick
This is amazing ! Well done and May God bless you!
@@wesleyhudson9993 Thanks!
Congratulations You did it Glory to GOD Hallelujah LOVE and GOD BLESS You Aloha Always Sister Chrissy 💙🌹🌺🙏✝️
What an awesome video for so many reasons that are personal n no one else could understand, I was crying through the whole thing. Grab life while you can because when you least expect it, it's over. Love
Amazing! Mahalo for sharing your experience.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow!!! This is awesome!
@@DStroiu33 Thanks!
Brah I only can do Kuliouou couple times a month and im already dead. Amazing feat!!!!!
Lived Oahu 50 years and never saw a video documenting this trail hike. Bravo! You are a great adventurer with the skill and experience to make it, Wow such awsome footage, that's why I never left this island, Im often left in wonder and feel it's mystique. Only thing worries me is the inexperienced newbies who see the video and attempt it, and no doubt will lead to more people getting into trouble or injuries and fatalities, definitely much more work for the HFD and rescue teams. A total Gem but I would not overexpose it. Looks like a expert level hike, definitely. I would only mention this trail to the most experienced of hikers, nevertheless people will make their own choices especially in this age of social media. Think of what the HFD has to go through responding to hikers who get into trouble up there. Anyway Big Ups! BRAVO again. And Mahalo Nui Loa. Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka 'Aina I Ka Pono
Mahalo! It is an incredibly dangerous trail and this video definitely does not do it justice. I wanted to share this video because no one else who has completed it has documented it in this way, but I hope that it does not cause inexperienced hikers to go out and try to do this trail. I put a disclaimer in the video description and in my hike write-up, but I know that won’t stop people. I have a feeling though that people will be scared off as soon as they see some of the more difficult sections that I didn’t film such as the saddles. I think the trail is scary enough that it is self-regulating. Most people would not want to step foot on it
@@kanoapick6620 🤙
@@kanoapick6620 Howzit braddah! From one local boy to another, please consider taking this video down. Because, before you know it, your video will get tens of thousands of views, and, before you know it, hundreds, thousands of tourists will be trampling through the Koolau summits spreading invasive weeds that hitchhike on their shoes, going off trail and getting into trouble, and just ruining our last few hiking spots. If us locals are gonna post stuff on social media, then we cannot complain when our last few lesser known places are overpopulated with tourists. Whether you decide to leave this video up or not, you still got my respect.
I forgot to mention that the reason I've said what I've said was because one of my favorite and relatively unknown fishing spot, was posted on social media. Just ONE video. Within 6-months time, that spot was just LOADED with people. That's how effective social media is at exposing places. So please at least think about it. That's all I ask. Mahalo Braddah!
You are a fukin beast!! My gf and I do the cabins for fun but what you have done is insane!! Mahalo for documenting everything. All we got left is poamoho to kalihi powerlines 🤙🏼
@@valleyvoyager2316 Mahalo! The cabins are one of the coolest parts of the KST
Wow 😮 good job 👍🏿 🤙
This is awesome! I had the dream of doing this in the opposite direction about 18 years ago. I never did the whole thing only sections. I really liked your style of documenting it. Thank you.
@@scottmargenau4070 Thank you!
IMPRESSIVE! We just got back from Hawaii and attempted the Moanalua valley hike to stairway. Almost died doing that. Can only imagine doing this feat.. Maybe one day
Thanks! That’s definitely a leg burner hike
My husband and I did the Moanualua Valley hike in 2019 at ages 59 and 57, it was took us 9 hours but totally worth it. We’ll never forget (or our local guide)!!
I've lived and hiked on Oahu for 30years and didn't know about this trail!
I used to hang glide the whole ridge from Makapuu to the Pyramid peak behind Kualoa Valley and back. That area is no place that I would ever want to hike. Lots of rain and wetness and pop up waterfalls that pour over the ridge and evaporate and never reach the ground. I've come up on groups of hikers a few times and talked to them while I soared over them. Imagine yourself losing your footing and sliding on your ass down a grassy slope that quickly turns into a steep cliff. That's what it looks like from the air.
@@mikeh2520 Feels sketchy from on top of the mountains. I can imagine it looks even sketchier from the air
Very impressive! The winds seem nuts.
@@jasonmcghee1266 Thanks! It’s almost always windy, cloudy, and rainy up there. The wind makes it a lot scarier when you’re hiking along the knife edge of the cliff. Feels like it’s trying to blow you off
This video is insane. Any time I'd hike up a ridge trail I'd see the much narrower KST paths intersecting I'd wonder damm do people actually go end to end? And for you to do this solo boggles my mind! So sick! I really appreciate the disclaimer in the description. I think when most locals watch these kinda vids we instantly think about tourists trying to copy and then hearing about it on khon 2 news later. Anyways, major props and thanks for the write up on google docs. Perfect thing to read while I'm at work.
@@effenfoo Mahalo! Yeah this hike is definitely not for everyone. Hope people take caution if they attempt it
@@kanoapick6620 You never mentioned anything about bugs or snakes. How were the animals/pests? You didn't complain enough haha, you made it look too easy.
@@person849 I got somewhere between 5 and 10 bee stings, but other than that, no issues with bugs or other critters
Keep going! This is some good footage. Wish there was more long cuts of nature.
@@boloblack Thank you!
Ho brah absolute legend. I only know a couple people gnarly enough to have finished that hike. Mad respect 🫡
Mahalo
Damn you have absolute balls of steel my bro… respect 💯🙌🙏
@@kun3494 Thanks
insane hike, nice work dude
@@jasonchen6840 Thank you
What kind of water filter did you use?
@@bluewave7120 Katadyn Befree
Darn. I imagine all the tourists you run into at the lighthouse had no idea what you went through to get there. And the tourists at the nuuau lookout too
@@Windward535 Haha yeah it’s actually quite nice to see people at the lookouts after not seeing anyone for long sections of the trail
I would never do that solo would be cool to do with someone like you though. Good job! Aloha
Mahalo!
Awesome video Braddah 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽 glad you made it out bro 💯💯💯
@@KuusFaddah_44 Mahalo!
@@kanoapick6620 I lost a good friend when he went up big island to hike Waimea’s … we still have not located him or his remains yet 💯🤙🏽 I knw you knw what you doing but do Pule before heading into the maukas 💯💯💯
@@KuusFaddah_44 Sorry to hear that. I will do my best to stay safe and hope that others will do the same on the trails
Hawaiian! Awesome video showcasing ur hike on our Aina! Born and raised on Oahu/kaneohe for 56 years and never knew trails like that existed. Well done my man.
@@lennyleejr7763 Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your adventure! I read the advice in the description and will definitely follow it!
Thanks!
Even doing some of the tamer hikes in Koolaus is scary- the Pu’u Mananana is one of the most intense hikes I have ever been on, and I’ve done some sketchy hikes. Major props.
@@treesear Thanks! Pu’u Manamana is definitely a scary one
I’ve hiked a lot of this in sections. Hats off! That’s some serious hiking! I thought about doing this some years ago, thinking I could stash myself water and food in advance. Last I saw only 3 people had done it, some guy, I think named Chase if memory serves me, and two international chicks. Are you the 4th?? Congrats. Thanks for sharing.
@@mikeuptegrove That’s awesome! Not sure exactly how many people have done it, but I think it may be up to 10 now. I think I may be the 4th to do it solo though
@@kanoapick6620 nice. Congrats. It’s a serious hike. I spent a lot of hours up on that ridge, the section at the Pali must’ve been sketchy. I don’t think people who haven’t spent time on the ridge really can tell from the video how narrow some of the ridge sections are. You made awesome time. 👏👏
@@kanoapick6620 i was wondering did you have to ask ppl for water from the road, or from your friend Gavin? cuz tha'd kinda ruin the whole premise as "solo unsupported / no pack stations, etc"
@@darrinsiberia I only ate food that I packed + a few strawberry guavas I found along the trail. Also only drank water that I packed initially + filtered from various streams. Gavin and other people along the trail offered me food and water, which was pretty tempting, but I had to respectfully decline because I was trying to do the trail unsupported
So rad dude!!! Done quite a few of these sections and respect how difficult this must have been. Thanks for sharing!
@@koenigkronicles Thank you!
Awesome job, man! Isn’t Ka’ala the tallest point on the island though? Or did you mean tallest point on the KST?
@@cootwhite Thanks! Yes, you’re correct
not the hardest but certainly one of the most uncomfortable hikes due to the weather
I think I heard you say that K1 was the highest point on the island. Did you mean the highest point on the Ko'olau Range? To my knowledge Mount Ka'ala is the highest point on the island of O'ahu. Either way, your accomplishing this feat is impressive. I have an overly healthy fear of heights, so I could never do the KST, although I've done some pretty interesting hikes on O'ahu that challenged me to set aside my fear of heights.
I'm curious, was there any point in the hike where you began to question the wisdom (or lack, perhaps) of your decision to make this hike solo?
Yeah I was a little loopy at that point in the trail. You’re correct that K1 is the highest point in the Ko’olaus, not the entire island. Mount Ka’ala is the highest point on Oahu.
I felt pretty confident I would be able to complete it the whole time up until the very end where I ran out of water and dehydration was taking a toll on me. Definitely wish I had filled up on more water on my final water stop.
Congratulations on your accomplishment. That is quite impressive, thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you! Appreciate it
congrats on your The Hardest Hike in the World You've Never Heard Of
What shoes do you use?
@@hughslaton Salomon Wildcross GoreTex
Braddah your ancestors was definitely warriors or something badass cuz. I’ve turned around on part much less treacherous than some of the wide ridges. This stuff definitely ain’t for the faint of heart. And I envy your courage🫡
On another note, how did you get past the Kipapa to Manana section? I’ve heard that you need permits to backpack that section of trail
@@thisplacedoesntevensellcheese Thanks! I believe the Kipapa ridge trail that leads up to the KST requires a permit, but I was already on the KST, so didn’t need a permit to access that trail.
@@kanoapick6620 good stuff brotha🙏🏽 much mahalos
Did you run into anyone at all while on the kst? Not counting nuuanu lookout and the lighthouse at the end
@@Windward535 I ran into some people at stairway to heaven/haiku stairs and towards the end of the trail around Kuliouou. It was nice to stop and chat with them for a while.
Damn, I need to take a trip to Hawaii
Just watching this makes me think about all the ticks 😢
@@TechnocracyGaming I’ve never seen any ticks in Hawaii
correct me if i am wrong but i am sure i hear a "Punahou" accent to your Hawaiian words...
That makes Mauna Loa look like a walk in the park.
@@matthewstorm5188 Haha! I’ve never hiked Mauna Loa, but it’s on the bucket list. I bet Mauna Loa is at least not as overgrown as the KST, but both are beautiful nonetheless
@@kanoapick6620 it’s not overgrown at all. The hike up Mauna Loa is (depending on route) mostly to entirely across high altitude lava fields that are above the treeline. It is not particularly steep. And there are certainly no ropes. But walking across the rocky terrain can be difficult for some. And, of course, many people have altitude problems.
Brah, you're an animal! Solo unsupported is ridiculous. This is seriously an achievement that's fully understood by those who know. I've only done this trail in pieces, working my way to the full trail one day. But couple surgeries and pushing 40, days are numbered to knock this one out.
I hope folks read your description good brah. Your video really doesn't capture the scale and the sketchy parts of the hike. I been up to sections with pretty experienced guys and the first timers eyes pop outta their heads or they get the shaky legs. One of my partners straight up turned around when we were scoping the kalihi saddle (tripler to power lines).
@@808BigE Mahalo! Good luck if you ever attempt the whole thing! I’m a bit worried that people will watch this video and think that it doesn’t look that hard because I didn’t film any of the scary sections. Might have to go back up and film parts of the Kalihi saddle to make sure that people know what they’re really getting into
Well done! Hard core! Having done the Nuuanu & Kalihi saddle in the opposite direction to Tripler ridge and that taking 11 hours I find it hard to imagine doing the whole thing in one shot. What are your thoughts on direction of travel. Curious why you chose to start at that end vs the other way around?
Thanks! Those two saddles that you did are definitely tough. I chose to hike from North to South because you start at a slightly higher elevation than you end at, so there’s a little less uphill. It’s a pretty negligible amount though compared to the elevation change of the entire trail, so going from South to North is for sure a viable option that a couple people have done before.
@@kanoapick6620 Mahalo! That makes sense! Wonder if the water supply would have been any better the other way around?
@@paulsmith786 The section between the Pali Lookout and Makapuu is the trickiest in terms of water sources, so you're right that it may be good to get that section out of the way first while you are fresh and hydrated
I did the trail solo from Turtle Bay to Makapu’u back in 2017. Camped on the beach at turtle bay, cut through a farm road and trail blazed my way up through some dirt bike trails, down a road past the wind mills. Those first two days to get to where you started was pretty brutal - especially because the water sources were dried up.
Good job and welcome to the club!
@@CraigOpie That’s incredible!
hammah
Absolute insanity, congrats!
@@blakesaari Thanks
Wow. Did you check the weather forecast before this adventure brah? 😂. Mad respect at the accomplishment!
@@slin4013 Thanks! Yeah I tried to plan for good weather. This is about as good as it gets up there. Normally there is a lot more wind and rain
hike looks amazing and super difficult, glad to have been shown it by you! super entertaining vid
Thank you!
This was a really enjoyable watch, thank you for sharing. I will see this place in my dreams!
Thanks!
I saw so much wild food along your hike. don’t need to pack that much in such an area.
I dunno man, the Darién Gap seems like a pretty hard trail
For sure
Such a sick video! What a journey. Made me stoked for you.
@@christianjschenk Thanks Christian!
Wow!!!!!! Incredible video and feat. A whole other world up there. And the danger!!! And the beauty!!!!
All im gonna say is yesssuh you faka🤙🏽
Mahalo!
Did you do this in September?
@@30m3 yes
Nice hike, but far from being the hardest hike. It may be the hardest in Hawaii, but not even in North America.
Keep doing it, but don't promote it as the hardest on the Planet, it is not
Rad, only 3 days seems fast. I remember hearing a guy did it in 8 days or something 10-15 years ago
Yeah you’re probably thinking of Chase Norton. He was the first one to do it
@@kanoapick6620 not the first, but I think I read that he was the first in 20 years or something
Sick video.
I almost died on them Laie falls trail. It gets hot out there.
It does for sure. Thank you!
Those views down the valleys towards the middle of the island were incredible!
Some of the best views on the island!
Wow 🌿 how does one even walk that kind of Terrain?
Lots of practice
No trespassing at the Lighthouse but good job doing the hike.
I miss hiking
I’ve been lazy
And ever since that young girl
Died at the top of Moana falls upper water falls hike
I figured hpd would be citing be left and right but man this a sick
Hana ho!
@@JB-sv5pr Mahalo