Cactus Garden.Our last trip to Hawaii (Kauai) was over Thanksgiving in 2003 and I can’t say that we’ve been itching to go back. The world is chockfull of interesting places and Oahu figures somewhere above Florida but below things like Texas or even Oklahoma, both of which have some decent looking climbing. Nevertheless, Shirley’s company was willing to send us there as part of their annual retreat; and, as they say, you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth or some such bullshit. We tossed in some climbing gear along with our ancient, yellowing snorkeling paraphernalia and off we went. The weather was rainy and so we only managed to squeeze in a quick afternoon at the one developed crag that we knew of on the island, Mokule’ia Wall which overlooks the North Shore. The routes are tiny, single pitch things but the setting is pretty. This singular burst of activity was drowned out in a long stream of overeating and overdrinking.
Photos
Loading for bear; or at least snorkeling and climbing (Jan. 2020). Makapu’u Beach on the east short. Bit drizzly (Jan. 2020). Kailua Beach on the east short (Jan. 2020). Kailua Beach (Jan. 2020). Outrigger at Kailua (Jan. 2020). An outrigger at Kailua Beach (Jan. 2020). A cardinal (Jan. 2020). Turtle Beach along the North Shore (Jan. 2020). Killing a rainy day (Jan. 2020). Somewhere along the North Shore (Jan. 2020). A big boy (Jan. 2020). Random North Shore sights (Jan. 2020). Hanauma Bay (Jan. 2020). 5-0! 5-0!! Hey champ, do you want your large #5 cold or body temperature? This is how the noodles are made; the broth making happens behind closed doors? Views form the hike up Diamond Head Peak (Jan. 2020). More views from Diamond Head Peak (Jan. 2020). North shore sights (Jan. 2020). Starting the approach hike to Mokule’ia Wall above the North Shore of Oahu (Jan. 2020). Thank goodness Hawaii has no snakes (Jan. 2020). Pretty little forest (Jan. 2020). Mokule’ia Wall (Jan. 2020). Shirley at the base of Mokule’ia Wall (Jan. 2020). Leading New Year’s Crack (5.10b) – the only trad pitch of the trip (Jan. 2020). Shirley starting up New Year’s Crack (Jan. 2020). Views of the wall from New Year’s Crack belay (Jan. 2020). A bit higher (Jan. 2020). Shirley topping out on New Year’s Crack (Jan. 2020). Leading Cactus Garden (5.9, bolts). Note the string that allows these routes to be turned into gym lines (Jan. 2020). Shirley on Cactus Garden (Jan. 2020). Mokule’ia Wall views (Jan. 2020). At the brief crux (Jan. 2020). Shirley topping out on Cactus Garden (Jan. 2020). Leading Flower Tower (5.10a, sporto; Jan. 2020). Shirley starting up Flower Tower (Jan. 2020). Shirley nearing the crux of Flower Tower (Jan. 2020). Shirley at the anchor atop Flower Tower (Jan. 2020). Setting up the rappel (Jan. 2020). Shirley rapping off with the Mokule’ia Wall in all of its one pitch glory in the background (Jan. 2020). Calling it a day (Jan. 2020). Hiking down (Jan. 2020). Mokule’ia Wall with a few climbers on it as seen from the main road (Jan. 2020). Mokule’ia Wall (Jan. 2020). North shore (Jan. 2020). Taking in the last evening on the north shore of Oahu with Mokule’ia Wall in background (Jan. 2020). Sunset on the north shore. Note the paraglider on the short final (Jan. 2020).
