Hawaii

Cactus Garden

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

Oahu

Loading for bear; or at least snorkeling and climbing (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Makapu’u Beach on the east short. Bit drizzly (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Kailua Beach on the east short (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Kailua Beach (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Outrigger at Kailua (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

An outrigger at Kailua Beach (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

A cardinal (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Turtle Beach along the North Shore (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Killing a rainy day (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Somewhere along the North Shore (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

A big boy (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Random North Shore sights (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Hanauma Bay (Jan. 2020).


Honolulu

5-0! 5-0!!


Honolulu

Hey champ, do you want your large #5 cold or body temperature?


Honolulu

This is how the noodles are made; the broth making happens behind closed doors?


Diamond Head Peak

Views form the hike up Diamond Head Peak (Jan. 2020).


Diamond Head Peak

More views from Diamond Head Peak (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

North shore sights (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Starting the approach hike to Mokule’ia Wall above the North Shore of Oahu (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Thank goodness Hawaii has no snakes (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Pretty little forest (Jan. 2020).


Mokule’ia Wall

Mokule’ia Wall (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Shirley at the base of Mokule’ia Wall (Jan. 2020).


New Year's Crack

Leading New Year’s Crack (5.10b) – the only trad pitch of the trip (Jan. 2020).


New Year's Crack

Shirley starting up New Year’s Crack (Jan. 2020).


New Year's Crack

Views of the wall from New Year’s Crack belay (Jan. 2020).


New Year's Crack

A bit higher (Jan. 2020).


New Year's Crack

Shirley topping out on New Year’s Crack (Jan. 2020).


Cactus Garden

Leading Cactus Garden (5.9, bolts). Note the string that allows these routes to be turned into gym lines (Jan. 2020).


Cactus Garden

Shirley on Cactus Garden (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Mokule’ia Wall views (Jan. 2020).


Cactus Garden

At the brief crux (Jan. 2020).


Cactus Garden

Shirley topping out on Cactus Garden (Jan. 2020).


Flower Tower

Leading Flower Tower (5.10a, sporto; Jan. 2020).


Flower Tower

Shirley starting up Flower Tower (Jan. 2020).


Flower Tower

Shirley nearing the crux of Flower Tower (Jan. 2020).


Flower Tower

Shirley at the anchor atop Flower Tower (Jan. 2020).


Flower Tower

Setting up the rappel (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Shirley rapping off with the Mokule’ia Wall in all of its one pitch glory in the background (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Calling it a day (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Hiking down (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Mokule’ia Wall with a few climbers on it as seen from the main road (Jan. 2020).


Mokule'ia Wall

Mokule’ia Wall (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

North shore (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Taking in the last evening on the north shore of Oahu with Mokule’ia Wall in background (Jan. 2020).


Oahu

Sunset on the north shore. Note the paraglider on the short final (Jan. 2020).