Date: Sun, 21 Jun 1998 23:57:26 -1000 From: Wing C Ng (wing@lava.net> Subject: Stone Brandon's Waiau-Waimano trek
In Feb. Stone Brandon wrote about his trek up Waiau and then across to Waimano. I had no idea of his route, but I kept the article.
Then yesterday we came back from the Manana-Waimano traverse, and Dayle pointed out at the low point with a stream to the left that it is where the old shack is located and is where Stone came down. I then saw the ridge coming down from Waiau.
I looked again at the topo, and identified the ridge. In 1996, in my infamous trip down Waiau, I passed that very point, took out something from my pack, and I am sure that my wallet came out! Therefore, Stone must have been to that point. Did he see my wallet??, it's got my driver's license and about $80 !! :-)
Anyway, I stopped soon after that and bivouacked, and it is about the point where the descending trail passes the 1840' contour, a little bit below the 1800 label on the map that Stone mentioned. Right there is a prominent spur going off to Waimalu side, and not too far below is a prominent intersection with another side ridge going off to the Waimano side. That used to be a prominent landmark when the trail was clear, and I tied an enormous ribbon to that tree in 1996.
Some day, we should do the entire Waiau trail ....
Wing