Rapelling Manoa Falls

by kenji SAITO on January 11, 2015

Got an invite to rappel Manoa Falls from Rob and Katy. Never visited Manoa Falls. Never rappelled a waterfall. Double check.

Water Iris

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

Trailhead

We shared the trail with a steady stream of tourists and locals.

Trees

Trees

The trail was shaded by a lush forest of eucalyptus, bamboo, guava and banyan trees.

Manoa Falls

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

Up the trail

We left the popular watering hole and continued up a side trail.

Climbing

Climbing

The trail turned quickly from horizontal to near vertical.

Top of falls #1

Top of Waterfall #1

Looking out to Manoa Valley. No crowds up here.

Falls #2

Waterfall #2

We picked up the trail to the right of the falls.

More climbing

More climbing

More vertical climbing up rocks and tree roots. One tree even had a boulder stuck in the branches.

Going down

Going down

Madeline climbing down a roped section. One at a time.

Going back up

Going back up

Jose climbing up a rock face.

Falls #3

Waterfall #3

We continued the trail to the left of the falls.

Bushwhacking

Bushwhacking

Good to have an arborist on the hike. Hand saw doesn’t hurt either in helping to clear the trail.

Top of falls #4

Top of fall #4

Katy and Orrin setting up the rope for the first rappel of the day.

Cast away

Cast away

Katy throwing the rope over the falls.

Rapelling down

Rapelling down

Madeline following Katy down the falls.

Does that look right?

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

See you at the bottom

After everything checked out, I rappelled down my first 30′ waterfall.

Next

Next

Reuben making his way down.

Making it look easy

Making it look easy

Katy rapelling down.

Rapelling up

Rapelling up

Rob making his way back up the waterfall with the aid of an ascender.

Hanging by a rope

Hanging by a rope

Orrin was the last one down using the double rope rappel.

Setting up

Setting up

Rob and Orrin setting up the next rappel.

Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect

Still need more practice. Lots of practice. Photo by Orrin Nakanelua.

Waterfalls #3

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

Last waterfall

The guava tree was solid. No worries.

Slippery when wet

Slippery when wet

Tabis helped to “walk” down the waterfall.

Coming down

Coming down

Rapelling down the 70′ waterfall. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Two selfies for the price of one

Two selfies for the price of one

Group photo left to right: Reuben, Katy, Rob, Madeline, Orrin, myself and Jose.

Look both ways

Look both ways

Which GoPro to look at? So many choices.

Skip the trail

Skip the trail

Talk of rapelling off the main waterfalls was quickly replaced by rapelling off a tree. Just as fun.

No hands

No hands

Orrin lowered me down. He did all the work. I was just along for the ride. Mahalo.

Root down

Root down

Jose rapelling down the trail.

Back on the main 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

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!

Ice cream!

Orrin warming up for his next wedding gig.

GPS Tracks

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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