EPIC Laie 18

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Video from Erik 

Laie 18 - March 4, 2017

After 5 years, I got to do Laie 18 again. Baron considers this hike his baby and has taken over hundreds of hikers on this hike. He has led many groups up these waterfalls. With rain pounding the island all week, it was time to do Laie 18!!! 

I made sure I had spikes for this one since the last time I didn't have spikes. Darren picked me up at my house at about 6:45am. We went to Erik's house to pick him up and Darren shuttled us over to Laie. There we met the hikers for the day. The turn out was 12 strong and impressive hikers starting with Baron, Denise, Jena, Justin, James, Ryan, Kellie, and then the OAGs Erik, Bernice, Darren, Jana, and I. 

Ryan led a furious charge up Laie. We hit the cook pines in 1 hour. Baron found the ridge going down to the hau tangle. Going down, it appeared only pig trails or not even. However, it was fast and we got to the hau tangle in about 20 minutes. We progressed through the hau and eventually got to the first waterfall at the 2 hour mark. 

hau tangle

From there it was all fun. I joked earlier in the week that I would only do Laie 18 if Bernice went. Her excitement did not disappoint and she reveled in the moment. Waterfall #3 posed somewhat of a problem for the newbies as it was the first obstacle that needed some skill. The water was strong today as it spilled off the top with a heavy flow. The water was hitting people's faces and obstructing their view on the holds. I joked that they should drink the water instead of letting it get in their faces. 

Jena climbing waterfall 3

Awesome picture from Baron

The first 9 waterfalls seemed basic. Ryan and Darren stole the show as they had so much fun jumping off the water and enjoying each others company. Waterfall 10 posed a challenge. We didn't climb it because of the weak rope, so we took a contour around it. The contour seemed easier this time, but I don't know, everything seems easier the second time around. Kellie seemed preoccupied about getting wet. She has an issue with germs and I guess the water has germs. On one of the waterfalls, she had no choice but to swim through the pool and climb it. She was whining the entire time. It was funny. Waterfall 11-16 were tall ones and needed to be climbed. For some reason these waterfalls seemed taller this time around. They are also the prettiest waterfalls. Look at the pictures below. Doing these climbs makes me want to take video and get a go pro. You can watch Erik's EPIC video at the top. 

Bernice climbing

everyone finding their own route

Darren contouring not wanting to get wet

After climbing waterfall 13, I was getting cold, so was everyone else. Swimming through the pools and getting up the waterfalls were taking its toll on everyone. For example, it was swim, climb, and shiver waterfall after waterfall. The wind was funneling through the gulch making it cold. After climbing waterfall 17, we took a break at Laie falls, the state falls. I remember eating a lot of cookies. I had made over 2 dozen oatmeal cookies a few days back and had the rest in my bag. 

Justin climbing one of the later waterfalls

spiral waterfall

waterfall 16

We were at the 5.5 hour make and headed back up to the state trail. About 10 minutes on the state trail, Darren said he left his phone at the pool so he ran back. It was about 15 minutes. I thought that Darren would be back already. He called Jana which meant that he found his phone, so we proceeded thinking he would catch up. He told us that he left his phone at waterfall 16. I was like woah, you had to back track a lot. 

Going down was fast maybe an hour. We got to Laie park and changed. I forgot my towel, so I had to stay in my shorts. But it was drying out already. 

Post hike meal was at Papa Ole's, but a few hikers couldn't make it. I text Daniel if he wanted to come since he lives so close. I ordered a hamburger steak. Daniel bought banana cream pie for everyone, but seemed like Baron and I were the only ones who ate it. I also ate Erik's french fries, seems like I was the hungriest. 

Papa Ole's hamburger steak

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