We are just starting the unofficial hike to the top of Bat Ears (Hihimanu). This is Craig and we have already hiked over 1.5 miles. We were wet and getting a bit cold plus we had no idea how the trail would be or how far it would take us.

The ridge top trail....we were totally clouded in and could not see where we were going or how far we had to go. Sometimes ignorance is bliss because this was a much longer hike than we were expecting.... 

The strawberry guavas were ripe and we frequently snacked on the delicious fruit as we hiked along the trail. At one point we came upon a tree that was covered in Drosophila (fruit flies) engaged in a fermented fruit orgy. When Craig brushed past this tree a cloud of small flies erupted from the tree. It was quite amazing. This is a terrible photo, my great camera (Sony DSC-F717) actually stinks at taking macro pictures.

Can you see Craig in this photo? You have to enlarge the photo and then maybe zoom into the thin dirt trail about 2/3 of the way up the photo. This is ridge top hiking at its best.  

One of the intriguing aspects of this unoffical hike is the placement of ropes at difficult sections along the trail. These sections of rope taunted and enticed us to go further and further along the trail. We actually at one point thought we had reached the summit, remember that we were totally clouded in and had not reference to where we were in relation to the mountain ridge, when Craig notices a section of rope off in the distance telling us we had to go further.... 

This was the scariest part of the hike - a 60' + vertical muddy section where you had to pull and climb yourself up the wall. The unknown hikers who installed the ropes on the trail placed a plastic covered metal cable at this section because you have to rely so heavily on the rope for a long vertical section. Needless to say on a wet day like this one, your hands had a hard time keeping grip on the slick plastic. [thanks Craig for taking this picture of me]. 

As we approached the summit, Craig was impressed with how far we had come and that we actually were on that far away peak only minutes ago. All along this hike we would look back and be totally at awe with having gone this far.

The trail is so narrow in places, at two places I remember that the trail was barely wider than my shoe and it dropped vertically on both sides. The wind would be blowing and you just knew that if a rogue gust came along you would be sliding down a 2,000 ft wall getting the crap knocked out of you. I had to just stare at my feet as I walked over those areas. What was in my peripheral vision scared the shit out of me.

The twin peaks of Hihimanu. Beyond the first peak is a severe drop off that is currently beyond scaling so the trail stops at the top of this peak. You can see the small trail winding along the top of the spine.

Finally at the top of the first peak. The top is a small flat grassy area with three small trees. We were in a total white out, the clouds were thick about us and we could not see beyond 30 feet in any direction. I actually got vertigo from staring out into the blinding white abyss. I would stare into the white clouds hoping to see a break in them and after awhile, I noticed small spots in my vision, I could see the digital noise created within the nerves of my eyeballs - the random firing of rods and cones that created small dots within the sea of white.

If I take 2 steps beyond my backpack into the heavenly white wall I would plunge straight down over 2,000 feet to my certain demise.

Finally the clouds cleared and we could see the beautiful Hanalei river below us. Unfortunately, the Hanalei bay side never cleared so we could not enjoy that spectacular view. Craig, you have to return to this hike during a clear winter day and send me pictures. [I am posting this on Monday, the day after this hike and of course today the sky was blue and the mountains were clear. Oh well.]

This is a different view to the peak, as seen from the Dolphin Fish market in Hanalei. The red line indicates the second half of the trail, after we had already hiked 1.5 miles on the Okolehao trail and then we jumped off of that ridge to follow this ridge trail. Notice the car in the foreground for reference in scale.

I want to thank all those adventurers before us who took the time to place the much needed ropes along the trail. Thank you. Craig and I replaced two ropes along the trail, and we were proud to be able to help in the trail maintenance.