Both of us studied the peaks along the Ko'olau summit crest toward Waimalu which we would have to scale later that day. Because Laredo had never been to the Aiea Ridge summit the two of us went that way instead of descending to the gully. I wasn't feeling very well but didn't have the guts to suggest to Laredo that we turn back. Not on such a beautiful day. The views were marvelous of the Mokulua Islands on the right and Kaneohe Bay dead ahead.
Temple Valley is directly below.
Laredo and I departed the Aiea Ridge pinnacle bound for the Waimalu Middle Ridge. The conditions were totally different for me compared to those I had to endure on Thanksgiving day - excellent visibility, light southerly breeze, warm temps. Instead of backtracking the two of us descended slightly along the Ko'olau summit crest. We followed what looked like a faint swath in the vegetation and reached the second power-line tower in 17 minutes. Continuing on, Laredo and I began traveling up, over and down a series of 8 major peaks between Aiea and Waimalu.