Guide Nicholas has his first baby boy! He is hysterically happy that all went well for Mom Catherine and Baby Jackson Nicholas. Born March 27, 2012. He’s ready to get him out hiking already.

Nicholas, Catherine and brand new Jackson

Pat & Pali

Pali’s classmates Dawn, Dustin, Eddie, Glori, Robynne & teacher mj stopped by Pali’s homestead in Kipahulu when they were training for the full-day Hana hike at ‘Ohe’o Gulch. Pali grew up right next door to these big waterfalls in a jungle home and we all wanted to meet her parents, Pat & Pat. Her dad, Pat, did not get into the photo, but he did pick us a load of surinam cherries–tart and delicious. Pali misses her wild child days in the jungle now that she lives in Central Maui. She goes back home as much as she can. She and her parents are very close.

Note the orange cat peeking in on the right of the photo.

Glori & Chris joined rappelling manager Dave & owner mj on a whale kayak trip. We paddled out early in the a.m. off Olowalu and saw plenty of humpbacks. We paddled quite far out. Then we went across the street and had pie and coffee at our friend Michael Moore’s new restaurant, Leota’s (named after his partner’s aunt who grew up in Olowalu).

A Canadian family emailed us that they met Luke and his clients on the trail near the 400-foot falls on our Hana Hike. Their daughter hurt her foot, so Luke stepped up and shared his First Aid kit.

The family wrote: “You could see it in Luke’s eyes that he was a genuine person who truly cared about anyone he came in contact with. . . . Before we parted, one person in his party (slower and more elderly) commented about how excellent Luke was as her guide. We thank Hike Maui and especially Luke. You will both have a special part in our memories on our first trip to Maui!”

Guide Luke get a rave review for showing compassion on the trail.

We’re having a “run” on Kaupo Gap lately. . . three trips within a few days.

This story is particularly touching. A client, Sara Seager and her six-year old boy Alex (yes, SIX) begged us to take them up the Gap to the Summit, and Sara was surprised when we said yes. But, Sara was convincing — her Alex had hiked numerous mountains and tough trails, even trying to get into the Guiness Book of Records as the youngest to hike various trails, and Kaupo Gap was his next goal. Who were we to say no to such tenacity?

And so, stalwart guide Dylan, who had planned to RUN up the Gap with his marathon friends, decided he’d slow his speed to a six-year old’s pace. They left Upcountry Kula at 4:30 a.m., began the hike at 6 and came out at 8:30 p.m. Much to our relief.

Sara is an MIT professor of physics and planetary science, so walking under the clear night sky at 10,000 feet was a dream come true. She called their Kaupo experience “epic,” and “more spectacular than I had anticipated,” and said Dylan was fabulous and patient (slowing his speed to a six-year old’s legs).

Sara emailed us this touching note: “After my husband died of cancer earlier this summer, I decided to live more purposefully and enable the dreams of my children, students, mentees, and others.  The success of this trip is so empowering that it will have a significant ripple effect for a long time to come.”

Six-year old Alex is dwarfed by Haleakala's massive Crater.

Sara and her hiking boy Alex take a breather on the 16-hour day.

Here’s fabulous Dustin, a new Hawaiian guide born and raised on Maui, who had somehow never spent time in Haleakala Crater. So, for his first serious trip, he decided to go up Kaupo Gap! Yikes. That’s 19 miles up, up, up all day long.

Guides Kahi, UlaUla and i all went up the gap a year ago and we took our time — we cruised out at 11:30 pm. Great night sky, but freezing cold for Maui-boy Kahi who stays on the warm seaside (he grew up in Lahaina Town).

Dustin was hurting from his all-day hiking binge, but said it was the most “breathtaking” and “wonderful experience” he has had in his life. He is now a convinced “crater hound.”  He joins a dedicated group of us.  . . .mj harden

Dustin at the end of the afternoon -- at Halekala's Summit!