Kimikaze and Autobaun Reopened

After being closed for nearly one year at the hands of Typhoon Soudelor, Kimikaze and Autobaun are finally reopened for hikers and bikers.  Despite forecast of rain and wind, we decide to check out the trails. Sunday morning turns out quite nicely with some wind, but no rain.

Rexplorer, Giggles, Cutie, RedEye, Wonder Woman, CC.

Well, the trail doesn't look like much. We figure it will get better soon.

Part of the trail changes its direction and now hugs the rock face that displays a cascading root system.

Another new feature on the trail is an arch created by a fallen tree. The trail continues through the fern forest, several big trees, and eventually exits at the same spot, across from the Bird Island street sign that marks the start of Autobaun trail.

Autobaun Trail 1 follows the original track for some distance and then begins to veer toward the ocean. We suddenly come upon a view of Bird Island that appears so close that we feel we could almost walk down and over. But of course the trail is right next to a steep drop down the cliff, hence the edge is marked off with bright ribbons so bikers will not careen over the cliff!

A close up look of Bird Island's western flank.

Hermit crab and its stylish home.

Mushrooms are starting to pop up with the arrival of rainy season.

We have arrived at the end of Autobaun 1. This is where the Bird Island trail starts that goes to the beach. Autobaun 2 begins on the other side of this road. We decide not to continue on that segment. Instead, we head out to the main road where we will stop and have our snack time.

After our usual snack enjoyment, we head back up Kimikaze trail and back to the cars. Everyone agrees that the new trails are fun to hike on.

DOLOMITES, ITALY

From July 6 through July 22, four of the Saipan hikers spent two weeks hiking in the Italian Alps called the Dolomite. Thor, Sparky, Rexplorer, and Captain Charlie had a wonderful time climbing up and down the rocky and craggy, and sometimes snowy, mountains, and over green fields covered with wild flowers. Some hikes were very tough, others less so and simply breathtakingly beautiful. Here are just a few of the photos to share.

Our first hike, climbing up and going through one of the WWI tunnels, the Lagazuoi Tunnel.  The tunnel has a lot of ups and downs, sometimes with ladders, sometimes just steep slopes with hand rails. The photo on the left reminds us a bit of the Oba Cave, except this tunnel is 1.5 KM long! Thor looking on as Sparky and Rexplorer are busy taking photos.

One of the many long stairways in the tunnel. Tough on the knees! These tunnels are carved out of rocky mountains hundreds of feet above ground. This hike takes us about seven hours to complete.

Our second and longest hike, an eleven-hour trek to Croda Da Lago, gaining over 3000 ft, exhilarating and exhausting. Thor, Rexplorer, and Sparky stopping to chat with another hiker. We don't run into too many other hikers. 

For this hike, we take a tram up to Ortisei, enjoy a cup of cappuccino and a slice of strudel, then walk up to Resciesa where people visit the large crucifix. The temperature is a bit cold, although Sparky still wears shorts.

Taking time out to join a guided hike through meadows, trees, and wild flowers, still with the majestic mountains around. Sparky and Thor are in the middle of the pack. The five hour hike is a relief from the rocky climbs. We also take a "herb" tour to find herbs growing wild along pathways and fields, and tasting delicious herb-mixed butter and bread. Yummy...

The day before we leave the Dolomites: On the way to Piz Boe, at Sass Pordoi (2950 m). Rexplorer seems to have shrunk. Look closer, he is standing below the little ledge. At the lodge terrace, the 360 degree view is so fantastic that it takes one's breath away.

One of the many "rifugio" or "Hutte", or Inn found at every peak and ridge throughout the Dolomite, so hikers can sleep, and eat. They have great food at reasonable price. When the weather is warm, most people sit outside to enjoy the fresh air and the view. This Rifugio Forcell Pordoi (2848 meter) is just below Sass Pordoi. We visit this mountain on our last day of hiking. We stay at the Rifugio enjoying ourselves while Rexplorer goes ahead and climbs up to Piz Boe at 3152 meters. 

 Thor and CC enjoy a moment in the snow. This is our last day of hiking. We leave for Munich the next day.

Waserak to Chalan Kiya

Our small group make the hike from Waserak to Chalan Kiya on Friday 6/10 instead of on Sunday. 

Before we can start the hike, we need to rescue RedEye's car from the ditch. Sparky gets down to check out where to hook up a tow rope. Meanwhile, Waldo drives RedEye and Akiko back to the house to get the tow rope.

RedEye and Sparky idendify the spot to hook up the rope. Waldo supervises. The car is pulled out without a hitch. We proceed on our way down Waserak.

A very rough part of the road.

The bamboo forest. This is where we turn onto the "trail".

A giant clump of bamboos on its side, pulled clear off from the roots.

A chaise lounge and a chair abandoned on the trail. Cutie takes a break.

Looks like an abandoned shack.

Waldo and Sparky admire the tall betel nut trees. We are in the midst of the largest betel nut farm we have ever seen, together with thousands of birds nest ferns.

RedEye is dwarfed by the tall trees.

The steep trail from Tapochau to the Whispering Palms golf course means there are lots and lots of rocky drops that require strength and dexterity to negotiate. RedEye waits for Cutie to carefully lower herself.

Going around a big pile of fallen debris.

Some of the partially blocked river bed.

Sparky and Redeye in another fallen bamboo forest.

RedEye getting ready to go down another big drop.

After three hours of crouching under branches, climbing over rocks and tree trunks, dropping down steep rocky ravines, RedEye looks a bit tired, but ready to push forward.

Waldo scrambles up this mess of rocks.

After climbing up, then it's time to scoot down.

Sparky, Cutie, and RedEye carefully using upper body strength to make their way down.

At four and half hour point, we find the final trail through an abandoned farm.

Finally, on the road and civilization. By the time we finally get picked up by Thor and Eric, it has been five hours on this hike. We have all run out of water!

It is a five sneaker hike for fantastic sceneries and beautiful trail. It is a five plus sneaker for difficulty, even though it is not a lung buster type, but it is long and arduous. It is great!

Talofofo Gulch

Ready to explore a new trail, we decide to find our way from Wireless Ridge down the gulch to Talofofo Road, notwithstanding fallen trees, blocked "trail", maybe water obstacles, etc. 
We meet at the Kosack driveway at 6:00 a.m. to see who will show up for this adventure.

Something strange with this picture! Cutie, RedEye, Rexplorer, Waldo, CaveMan, and Kadi, six people all looking in six different directions! Hmmmmm...

Caveman, Kadi, RedEye, and Cutie surveying the jungle below while Waldo and Rexplorer try to find a possible trail in the jumble of trees, branches, grass, and debris.

Bruce is quite amused by the challenge the hikers are facing in determining what to do.

Waldo and Rexplorer reemerge from the boonies, as Waldo suggests that we take the grassy path down. Meanwhile, Caveman has already disappeared into the boonies and heading down to the ravine.

RedEye gets ready to ease down a steep drop at the newly found "trail head".

RedEye looks pooped out and ready to call it quits. He does, as well as Cutie. We bade them goodbye and continue on our way.

The prairie like grassy field turns out to be the perfect way to make our way toward the gully. The morning is wonderfully cool at this hour, and the scenery is beautiful.

We try to make contact with Caveman who is already down at the gully. After the fine grassy field, we enter into the boonies.

We meet up with Caveman down at the gully. From dried branches to lush green forest, Caveman and Waldo near the gully floor.

Caveman down at the rocky gully bottom. 

One of the little ponds we find in the gully. Caveman pointing at the shrimp swimming in the pond.

The mossy rocks are slippery. In order to avoid stepping into the pond water and possible leptospirosis, here Kadi tries to grab a strong root to support his way down from the boulder. Below him is another pond.

An interesting plant.

Caveman deep in the jungle.

Waldo looks around this giant of a tree. We are making our way back, after reaching a thicket in the gully that is too difficult to penetrate through. We decide to turn around and go back up...

But not before we stop and snack upon the rocks in the gully. Good food and good company. 

Waldo making a slow appearance from the thick growth of sword grass, back up to the grassy field.

It's Rexplorer's Birthday! a little chocolate cake from Himawari caps off the hike in a most pleasant way.

After the birthday celebration, we walk back up hill to survey the area we have been hiking. The thick grove of trees marks our trail. We are about half way to Talofofo down at the gully. A future exploration awaits us.

We find this comfortable and breezy spot to survey our exploration trail. Rexplorer, Caveman, CC, Kadi, and Waldo. 

All agree it's a fun and exciting 3-hour expedition.