Koolau Summit Trail Traverse Attempt (South to North)

Рет қаралды 5,614

6 жыл бұрын

The Koolau Summit Trail aka the KST is an estimated 55 miles long stretch between Oahu's North Shore and South Shore. It's a treacherous so called hiking trail, which is actually more like a bushwhacking adventure through some amazing sub tropical landscape.
Not a lot of people attempted this traverse due to it's difficulty in route finding, unpredictable weather, and of course the physical and mental challenge it requires.
The 1st documented person who did it, was Chase Norton, took him 8 days and two tries to finish it. After that, couple other people finished the traverse.In 2017 Derek Potter broke the speed record and finished it in just only 3.5 days.
Being a hiking guide who like to explore and take on adventures, I was all the time curious how would it be to try KST in one shot. But knowing that already people did it, and that I don't want to break the speed record (not that I could:), I came up with an idea. It would be interesting to do the whole traverse but the reverse way. Instead of starting North and hiking South, start at Makapuu Lighthouse (South) and finish at Pupukea (North). It was all just an idea.
One day my friend Ben Hinders, was asking me if I am ready to plan the reverse traverse of the KST, because he would like to do it with me. Well, that's how it started...
But before I am getting into details, watch the video, to see what's happened...
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My gear list for the traverse:
www.geargrams.com/list?id=48651
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Gear we used filming:
GO Pro 4 Silver Edition
Iphone 7
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You can find Us here too:
Webpage: www.hungaro-explorer.com
Instagram: / hungaroexplorer
Facebook: / hungaroexplorer
Twitter: / hungaroexplorer
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Koolau Summit Trail Traverse Attempt (South to North)
• Koolau Summit Trail Tr...
#koolausummittrail #koolaumountains #hungaroexplorer

Пікірлер: 54

@andrewdowd3997 20 күн бұрын

Great video! Lived on island from 2008-2012 and put a lot of miles under my feet. Cool to see more people getting up into that part of the island. Most people never see it let alone know how gnarly it is. Gotta give a shoutout to Kaleo Lancaster with Island Trails blog. Not sure if it’s still active but back when I was there he was pushing the limits.

@HungaroExplorer 20 күн бұрын

Thank you for the comment! Yes, before I moved to the island over 10 years ago, I was reading Kaleo’s blog plus the extremhiking blog which gave me a lot of good info and push to get out to explore.

@MountainLust 6 жыл бұрын

Maaaaan! What a ridge! Dense vegetation, crazy steep, brutal weather... you guys are somethin else! Wow!

@HungaroExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

+Mountain Lust Haha, true! You need to be a little crazY to get into something like this! Definitely an experience!

@AmberIshtar Жыл бұрын

Well here I am yet again using your awesome videos as motivation. With the southern section down I think a small group of friends and i are going to attempt to knock out heaven to Pupukea in one go this coming week. I'm excited to revisit the moanalua saddle, the friendliest of all the saddles I must say! I have to admit, the Kalihi saddle, especially the north side, has got to be my first "never again" hike I've done. It was my first time watching someone fall and need to be airlifted out, don't think I'm over it yet

@HungaroExplorer Жыл бұрын

Your recent Kalihi Saddle experience has to be tough on you…but you eventually will get over it. Next week, I might be able to go with you guys one day to do a crossover on the North. Have you ever done any Northern section? What is the plan?

@AmberIshtar Жыл бұрын

@@HungaroExplorer I have not been any further north than Aiea, we will be starting at heaven and spending night 1 at hell, from there i am currently reading all 76 pages of Chase Norton's 8 day KST through hike to figure out how best to segment each day, but there are more knowledgeable people than myself who are coming! I will ultimately give my input but defer to them on how best to segment it over 3 days. It would be awesome if you came and did a section with us, I will let you know! Or maybe Thomas will reach out to you as well. And I agree, time heals all wounds, I will probably go down the back side of Ahiki on sunday just to get a feel for where I'm at mentally. Olomana is always that safe space for me to come back to to test my mental status!

@ovr69s 6 жыл бұрын

That's some crazy footage man!!! love it!!!

@HungaroExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! Yes, we went through some crazy stuff.

@BenHinders 5 жыл бұрын

Thx again for picking us up, brotha!

@BackpackingWithJason 6 жыл бұрын

Cool video. The drone footage was incredible. That trail looks like so much fun!! Awesome job and keep the videos coming

@HungaroExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate your positive feedback Jason! 🤙🏻

@weekendwarriormedia4716 6 жыл бұрын

Crazy stuff man! pretty cool!

@HungaroExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

Weekend Warrior Media Mahalo! Yes, we got into some crazy weather and challenges on our trip. Too bad we had to quit..

@StillStealSteel 10 ай бұрын

amazing. You guys filming while hiking that is gnarly!

@HungaroExplorer 10 ай бұрын

Yeah, this was some years ago, but it was worrh the filming 😀

@LightStreams_ 2 ай бұрын

Oldies but goldies👍🏻

@HungaroExplorer 2 ай бұрын

Haha, that’s a good one 🤙🏻

@ranradd Жыл бұрын

Incredible video and adventure. This is a hike I won't be doing but cool to see what it's like on the ridge. When looking up at the beautiful Koolau ridge from the safety of a Honolulu street, I always wondered what it was like up there.

@HungaroExplorer Жыл бұрын

Mahalo! Such an old video, but I guess someone still watching it 😀 It is a real experience to be up there for days, no questions

@philipvenanzi7151 Жыл бұрын

Plan to send sometime next month

@HungaroExplorer Жыл бұрын

Good luck on that! Make sure you know what you get into. The saddles are getting in bad shape, mostly Nu’uanu. Know your bailout routes for just in case situations.

@stevewrnr8 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome video man! I'm happy someone is documenting this adventure, since it's so unique. It's a bummer the Ko'olaus weren't nicer to you. You planning on giving it another go? The full KST is on my list while I'm here so I'm always intrigued by other people who attempt it

@HungaroExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

Mahalo! I think it’s important to document it, even if finally we couldn’t finish. We really want it to show people that the Ko’olau Mountains are not to be underestimated. You have to respect the mountains, even then success is not guaranteed. Yes, I may give it a another try. Until then I explore more ridges, waterfalls things that this beautiful island has to offer. If you ever try the full traverse, you have the option to be assisted on your way, but for the real challenge you should do it unassisted! Aloha!

@stevewrnr8 6 жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more with your philosophy. See you out there

@goleary 6 жыл бұрын

impressive effort in some seriously adverse conditions!

@HungaroExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gabe! Yep, conditions unfortunately turned bad..maybe next time

@alifidy1578 5 жыл бұрын

Do you have a map of all the water sources you used or any advice for hiking the trail? I am going to attempt to break the speed record next summer before I graduate. Thanks!

@HungaroExplorer 5 жыл бұрын

My advice is: you have to know the Ko’olau Mountains very well before you get into this. This is not a walk in the park, barely some people managed to finish the whole thing in one try. You have to plan very well, think about weather, bailout options, your food and water. Try to get very light gear so you can move faster on the harsh terrain, know your topo map so you don’t get lost. It is very easy to get lost in the Northern Ko’olaus if there is whiteout condition, and be prepared for the worst weather and situations. I climbed tall mountains before, and backpacked in many other places, nothing as crazy and hard as this traverse. Beside that, Good luck!

@alifidy1578 5 жыл бұрын

@@HungaroExplorer thanks!

@jasonpaz 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Amazing video. U need more view

@HungaroExplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Well, one day I will get more...hopefully :)

@sigaoutdoors528 4 жыл бұрын

I LOVE HIKES

@HungaroExplorer 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome man!

@silverskaden 3 жыл бұрын

Are you all still in oahu hawaii?

@HungaroExplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I am still livin’ the Hawaii life 😀

@silverskaden 3 жыл бұрын

@@HungaroExplorer sick! Same here :) I would like to go hiking with you and learn what all you know. Is the KST still on your to do list, or you crush it already?

@HungaroExplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, the only thing left for me to achieve on this island is a one shot KST crossover. Planned for this apring but weather not cooperating, so I will just wait for another time. No rush :)

@silverskaden 3 жыл бұрын

@@HungaroExplorer I have been doing sections of the KST, and am really wanting to do that one as well. Do you know the northern sections well? I bet u know this island very well, much better than me. Id love to meet up and go hiking with you and plan a KST trip. I have a lot of GPX points and stuff saved but would like advice from you to help my plan succeed. You can text me at 8087822957 if you would like, or instagram is @islandnomadhawaii

@HungaroExplorer 3 жыл бұрын

I will message you on Instagram, and we can plan something together!🤙🏻

@YzZac808 4 жыл бұрын

The fastest time south to north is 3days 17hours. Set last year.

@HungaroExplorer 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, 2 of my friends finished it in a very fast time last year. There was another group trying before them, but they didn’t finish either. It is definitely a life experience!

@YzZac808 4 жыл бұрын

Hungaro Explorer Rosie and Dylan did go fast. Derek too. Glad you had a good time up there.

@n.k.t9275 3 жыл бұрын

I know 2 people personally who have done this in the 1990s so the statement(no ones completed this before) is not true.

@HungaroExplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Really? I know all the old school hikers on the island, but I never heard that anybody done South to North this traverse unsupported or even supported. Of course now there are couple people who finisished. I am curious about their story. What is their names if I can ask?

@n.k.t9275 3 жыл бұрын

@@HungaroExplorer actually you are right my bad the person who I know did it from north to south. My bad! Great video though!

@HungaroExplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! Yes, North to South was done first years ago.

@Kala-ff5ho 2 жыл бұрын

Research "Kūkini", the Hawaiian runners/ messengers, Hawaiians have been using the koʻolau ridgeline to travel around the island for a centuries before, funny how to this day outsiders are still so quick to glorify themselves as "discoverers"..... Auwe

@HungaroExplorer 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I do know about the “kūkini”. Those guys were “the real deal”! They werr traveling a lot from the windward side to the leward side using the Kaupo ridges on the Waimanalo side. They werr traveling for a reason and mostly from one side to another. I doubt they used any long Ko’olau Sunmit sectikn for their travel. I couldn’t find anything about that in any book yet… Not sure if you refer to me as “gloryfiing myself”, but that is really not the case…