Tom Grundy's Hawaii 2016 Page

This trip report is a continuation of the YogaSlackersTAO trip. You can see the previous location, New Zealand here:
YogaSlackersTAO in New Zealand

I flew into Honolulu with Kristin and Matt in the evening of February 12th despite leaving New Zealand the 13th. Marshall picked us up and took us home to the army base that was to be our base of operations there. His family welcomed us into their home, thank you very much, although I probably would have slept in a bit a few mornings without their help. The next morning we were up early to head to the keiki race where the girls were running (along with their parents). There was a lot of chaos as the runners ran the gauntlet of photographers at the finish line. Later that day we went climbing at Makapu'u point. This is a small area but has some fun climbing in a spectacular setting overlooking the pacific. There was a mix of trad, sport, and toprope climbing and I managed to do almost all of the climbs there.

Marshall and Kamalani finish the run

View from Makapu'u

Matt trad leading at Makapu'u

The next day we went out for Mexican food and to play at a beach. There we had boogie boards, the packraft, and of course the beach and each other for entertainment.

Kamalani rides the packraft bow

Matt heads out to sea on the packraft

a hungry ogre devours Sydney while Matt just laughs

the juggling of little ponies and Toothless

Marshall works as a nurse so he has a non-traditional schedule. That meant on Monday he was off and we headed the Mokule'ia to climb. This was near the NW end of the island and featured a bit of a hike up to the basalt cliffs which were reminiscent of Paradise Forks near Flagstaff but with a few more holds and you started at the bottom instead of coming into the top of the canyon. There was a mix of trad and sport climbs but the local system had cords going through all of the top anchors so you could set up topropes easily. I had a very good day there onsighting a number of climbs including a trad 5.9 ++, a tricky 5.11c, and a 5.12a "Mission nearly impossible". The cliff was mostly in the shade and with a breeze it actually felt chilly some of the time.

warning signs below Mokule'ia (it is the cliff behind the right sign)

After a rest day (the acro jam was cancelled on account of rain), we went back to Mokule'ia. There Marshall sent his project first go. I popped off a tricky 5.11d among other things.

Marshall dispatches his 5.11c project "all pigs are created equal"

Matt and I headed to climb Koko head. We started by the blowhole and went up past an arch and to the top then down the tramway (built to serve the radar installation at the top) and back around along the highway. The wind kept it from being really hot except for the few times it was blocked.

Halana blowhole spouting

Matt and the arch on the way up Koko Head

part of the Koko Head crater rim - a good spot for an evil lair

Matt heading down the Koko Head tramway

Next up was a semi rest day involved slacklining and hammock resting and sunset watching at Magic Island

Nalumon slacklining

Nalumon drove to the far western side of the island to Keawaula where we paddled out to sea in the packraft. I was a little concerned the offshore wind would pick up and send us back to New Caledonia, but it never did. The water was quite nice although my snorkelling didn't go so well because my mask and glasses fogged up even more than usual. The mint chocolate ice cream bars on the way home really hit the spot and it was interesting to see a very different side of Oahu from Honolulu.

Nalumon paddling me off Keawaula or Yokohama beach

the water was a beautiful blue

there was cool underwater topography and fishes

but I was having a lot of trouble with my vision

This day we planned to hike Olomana peak starting very early. After just one look at this 3 peaked mountain I wanted to climb it. The peaks are actually named (Olomana, Paku'i, and Ahiki) but most people just call them first, second, and third peaks of Olomana. There was a bit of a miscommunication with where we were to meet so we didn't leave quite as early as planned, but it was still dark and wet and muddy and slippery under the trees at the start. As we got higher things dried out a bit. There were rainbows off in the distance as well as rain clouds, green cliffs, and sparkling seas. I had seen very mixed reviews of how hard and scary this climb was but even Nalumon never really feared for her life although some of the fixed ropes were a bit suspect. I mostly avoided them anyway. It would be a different story on a rainy gusty day though. The peaks were nicely steep with dropoffs on either side, especially the third one. On the way back Marshall, Matt, and Kristin went on ahead and Nalumon and I set a slower pace. Then we went to Kailua for lunch and to a beach where someone was supposed to be setting up a longline. We found the beach but unfortunately the E side where the longline was supposed to be was the site of a mass revival/baptism. We found some others with a slackline and hammocks so set up there. Later I found the longline on the far W end of the park and helped set it up and managed to walk it (about 160'), so that was nice. Then it rained and we bailed back to the south and went to an acro jam for a bit.

the trail was pretty dark and muddy and slippery at first

descending the second on the way to the third peak of Olomana

Marshall heading up the third peak of Olomana

Nalumon nearly on the third peak of Olomana with peaks 1 and 2 behind her

Marshall's long arm helps us get a group selfie on the third peak of Olomana

selfie on the first Olomana peak

Nalumon resting from the early morning start and tiring hike

The next day was a bit more chill. We walked the dog and climbed up a coconut tree in the front yard to harvest the 25 coconuts up there. I used a YS slackline anchor doubled around my ankles to increase the foot leverage and put slings around the trunk about 3/5 of the way up and at the top for safety and so I could hang there to get the coconuts with both hands. I also wore climbing shoes so that I could slide my feet down without scraping off my skin. After the first few dropped coconuts burst on the ground we started dropping them onto a bouldering crash pad. Evidently tree climbing is not allowed on the base, but the people didn't come over to tell us 'til I was down. I don't know if they waited on purpose or not. Some of the coconuts were a little too small/young, but most of them had good water and soft tasty flesh. I borrowed a rarely used kitchen cleaver to open them - so much easier than a leatherman.

Sydney says open another coconut

This day was a bit of a fiasco trying to meet up with Sam and Raquel to go surfing, but they kept moving locations and we were always a bit behind. Eventually we gave up and set up a slackline and a hammock before finally meeting up with them at the Magic Island acro jam. Sam, Raquel, Brock, and Eric went to Australia for the Wanderlust there but the rest of us skipped the extra plane travel for only a short time in Australia and spent the time in Hawaii instead.

Now it was time for Wanderlust at Turtle Bay on the N Shore. There was a lot of excitement because of a huge swell report and the possibility of running the Eddie Akau big wave surf contest - something they only do when the conditions are right - the last time was 2009. As we drove past Waimea Bay the waves were big but not enormous as they were forecast to be and people were already setting up for the contest. Once we got to the resort we set up the slack park and I set up my tent. Then we did some conditioning and handstand training. It was nice to see Jameson again as well as a few other Wanderlust folks I have seen over the years. That night the surf was pretty loud and I didn't sleep particularly well.

The next morning the surf was definitely up. At Turtle bay the waves started breaking pretty far out and then it was just about half a mile of angry water in to the beach and there were a few places marked off with tape where sand was washed up across the lawn from the waves at high tide. Jameson ran to see the Eddie contest in the morning. After our afternoon class I joined Sam and Raquel in running to Waimea Bay (about 6 miles) to see the surf contest. I had my camera strapped to my chest in the Cotton Carrier with the 200mm lens on it.There were a few big waves spotted on the way there, but not as massive as Waimea Bay. We weren't there very long before we had to get the bus back in time for conditioning, but we saw some impressive surfing and wipeouts. That evening was the Wanderlust opening ceremonies. I think the New Zealand Haka opening ceremonies were a little more interesting.

rainbow at Wanderlust Oahu (and angry ocean)

Wanderlust Oahu slackline yoga class

three people take off on a big wave (I think it was the end of the heat and time to head in)

someone drops in on a monster wave at the Eddie Akau big wave surf comp ...

... as you can see he didn't make it. Yikes!

It rained most of the night.. In the morning I got up pretty early to walk to Kohuku point (the farthest N on Oahu). The waves were pretty big but they started breaking too far out to really appreciate. In between teaching classes we all went to a yoga class together which was a good group activity (thanks Jameson) and I hiked out to a row of massive banyan trees. I really wish I had a few of those to climb and build tree houses in when I was a kid. There was a massive acro jam in a too crowded and hot room, a handstand class, and other Wanderlusty activities like sitting around a campfire one night listening to a group play the ukelele and sing. We also did our usual YogaSlacker conditioning and slackline conditioning.

After Wanderlust on leap day a bunch of us surfed off of Waikiki. It was a decidedly beginner/learner place, but one local did threaten me "I oughtta break your face" (I was just pleased I managed to avoid hitting him in the wave). I did manage to get a few good rides though. The waves were pretty small and the sets a little far between. Still it was a fun day and so much easier than when I tried to surf in the Gulf by Corpus Christi. I was quite tired and chilled by the time we headed in. I went back to the car for warmer clothes and missed the actual sunset and green flash the others saw.

we had a fun day surfing off Waikiki even if the waves were small. Eric, Chris, Raquel, Sam, Nalumon, Doug, and Tom.
thanks for taking the pic with Sam's camera unknown surfer

For the last day we went climbing at Makapu'u again. Then I went with Nalumon to Diamond Head. We saw some whales off in the distance. Enough to see that they were whales and jumping and spouting as well as the occasional white fin, but they really were pretty far away. Even with the 100mm lens the pics are barely more than blobs - like a pic of nessie. The hike up was hot but there was a cool breeze and nice view from the rim. It would have been nice to be able to explore all of the fire control bunker up there. We watched the sunset at a beach but the sun dropped into the clouds - no green flash. Then back to pack for my return to the mainland.

Nalumon looking at the view at Makapu'u (and looking for whales)

Nalumon climbing at Makapu'u

Nalumon enjoys the breeze and the view on Diamond Head

Nalumon descending the steps in the Diamond Head fire control station

I had to get up at 3:35 to leave with Mashall to get dropped off at the airport on his way to work. There I waited around a while before my flight to SFO which landed ahead of schedule. This was nice since supposedly there was a tight transfer there. I stepped off the plane and saw my departure gate was on the other side of the concourse - 50 feet away. There was time for 2 bowls of cold cereal before the flight. I didn't have a great seat for viewing the mountains, but I did see the peaks on the N side of Yosemite and a nice view of the Northern White Mountains on the way to MMH. Tim showed up to give me a ride home right after my bags were delivered (thank you so much) and the Church of Grundy was still there (and warm inside - thanks solar). It was a bit weird to suddenly be home and on my own after so long with the YogaSlackerTAO crew. I kept expecting everyone else to show up but alas it was not to be. Luckily I know that there will be more adventures with these people in the future. Even if it wasn't always exactly what I would have planned, thanks for having me on the adventures - it was nice not to have to plan some of the time and also good to do things I wouldn't ordinarily do on my own not to mention getting to hang and adventure with some of the coolest people on the planet.

Boundary peak and Mount Montgomery at the northern end of the White Mountains

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