Hiking Trails on Oahu

Poamoho-Schofield Waikane - November 11, 2017 Even though rain was in the forecast, Erik wanted to do his birthday hike up Poamoho and exit Schofield-Waikane. I was thinking about bailing not because I didn't want to hike, but because I had the Van Nolasco Half Marathon on Sunday. Darren was thinking the same thing, but he had it more difficult. He would need to be out by 3:30pm go work the UH game, and get ready for Van Nolasco.  I arrived at Erik's house at 5:45am. Erik was meeting Darren at the top of Wahiawa Heights to stage cars. I took my backpack out of my car. It was heavy, about 38 lbs. Erik's brother arrived at the house to take us to the Poamoho trailhead. He was suppose to drive the truck back to Wahiawa after dropping us off.  On the trip today was Erik, Aprille, Darren, Kellie, and I. This was Darren's first backpacking experience in a while I guess. The weather was pretty good considering it said rain in the forecast, however it was really socked in. I ha...

Mariner's Campout - February 19, 2017 I know Erik wanted to do this for a while. I said I would join him. I think OAG was interested, but in the end it was only Michelle and I with Aprille. Oh well, it was worth a try.  To do an overnighter takes some planning and luck. We coordinated the food and had a plan. That was about it. Everything else rested on good weather and execution. Forecast was rain and wind, lots of wind.  We met at the Hahaione trailhead. I can't remember the street off hand. I know it was by the Hawaii Kai apartments somewhere. Joining us were also David, Daniel, and Darrell. They were just going to the summit and back down, doing an in and out. I haven't seen Darrell in forever since last summer. It was good to see him again.   Erik and I both had 40lbs packs. The problem with my pack was that the zipper to the top compartment broke, so I had to use a clip to hold my goods. The other problem was that our lantern was so big it couldn't fit in my pack,...

  Kalalau Beach Since I started hiking avidly back in 2010, one trail I've always wanted to do was the Kalalau trail on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. 2015 would be my year.  The Kalalau trail is highly regarded around the world as being one of the most dangerous trails. Its consistently listed in the top 10 by people who presumably know such things. Backpacker Magazine rates it as one of the most dangerous trails on their website ( Backpacker , 2013). At a local level, Kalalau is by far the hiking mecca in Hawaii. It is regarded as the top hike in Hawaii by serious hikers, bar none.  The danger is there. As I kept on preparing for the hike, it only seemed that the mileage would be the big issue. To mentally push under difficult conditions is not an easy thing to do. Add to the fact that you suffer many aches and pains throughout the 3 days and have to perform at an adequate level faced with the  mileage  and time constraints of daylight and it becomes a true ...