Got an invite to rappel Manoa Falls from Rob and Katy. Never visited Manoa Falls. Never rappelled a waterfall. Double check.
Water Iris
Jose and I waited for the rest of the crew which included Katy, Madeline, Orrin, Reuben and Rob to show up; so we spent our time swatting away mosquitoes and taking a survey about koa forests. Old or new? Old.
Trailhead
We shared the trail with a steady stream of tourists and locals.
Trees
The trail was shaded by a lush forest of eucalyptus, bamboo, guava and banyan trees.
Manoa Falls
After less than a mile, we reached the base of the 150′ falls. Orrin and Rob made their way through the crowds and plunged into the pool to cool off.
Up the trail
We left the popular watering hole and continued up a side trail.
Climbing
The trail turned quickly from horizontal to near vertical.
Top of Waterfall #1
Looking out to Manoa Valley. No crowds up here.
Waterfall #2
We picked up the trail to the right of the falls.
More climbing
More vertical climbing up rocks and tree roots. One tree even had a boulder stuck in the branches.
Going down
Madeline climbing down a roped section. One at a time.
Going back up
Jose climbing up a rock face.
Waterfall #3
We continued the trail to the left of the falls.
Bushwhacking
Good to have an arborist on the hike. Hand saw doesn’t hurt either in helping to clear the trail.
Top of fall #4
Katy and Orrin setting up the rope for the first rappel of the day.
Cast away
Katy throwing the rope over the falls.
Rapelling down
Madeline following Katy down the falls.
Does that look right?
I got recalled from the edge to make sure my ATC was set up correctly. Better safe than sorry.
See you at the bottom
After everything checked out, I rappelled down my first 30′ waterfall.
Next
Reuben making his way down.
Making it look easy
Katy rapelling down.
Rapelling up
Rob making his way back up the waterfall with the aid of an ascender.
Hanging by a rope
Orrin was the last one down using the double rope rappel.
Setting up
Rob and Orrin setting up the next rappel.
Practice makes perfect
Still need more practice. Lots of practice. Photo by Orrin Nakanelua.
Waterfall #3
Jose making his way down to the base of the third 50′ waterfall. The pool was waist deep and cold. Ice cold.
Last waterfall
The guava tree was solid. No worries.
Slippery when wet
Tabis helped to “walk” down the waterfall.
Coming down
Rapelling down the 70′ waterfall. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.
Two selfies for the price of one
Group photo left to right: Reuben, Katy, Rob, Madeline, Orrin, myself and Jose.
Look both ways
Which GoPro to look at? So many choices.
Skip the trail
Talk of rapelling off the main waterfalls was quickly replaced by rapelling off a tree. Just as fun.
No hands
Orrin lowered me down. He did all the work. I was just along for the ride. Mahalo.
Root down
Jose rapelling down the trail.
Back on the main trail
Thanks to roping down the trail, we were back on the valley floor in two shakes. Aihualama Trail? Another hike for another day.
Manoa forest
Headed back to our cars through the primordial looking forest, guess that’s why they shot some scenes of Jurassic Park here.
Ice cream!
Orrin warming up for his next wedding gig.
GPS Tracks
The hike into the falls and up the falls and down the falls covered a short 2.18 miles. I will never look at a waterfall the same way again! Thanks again to Rob and Katy for the rapelling invite. I may even get my own harness!
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