Rapelling Mo’ole Falls

by kenji SAITO on October 28, 2023

Met up with Chico, Ferlino, Jason, and Matt to rappel some waterfalls in a Nu’uanu Valley.

Pali Highway

Pali Highway

We dodged cars traveling on the highway, crossed over the shallow drainage ditch and entered the forest through an unlocked gate.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Stepping foot in a valley that I haven’t visited in over seven years.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

The trail and terrain have changed significantly.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Finding our way through the valley also known as Hillebrand Glen.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Climbing our way up as we approached our waterfall destination.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Chico squeezing through one of the blowdowns that littered the valley.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

We soon dropped down to the top of the first falls and began gearing up.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Jason throwing out the rope as he set up the equipment for us to rappel.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Chico was the first to drop down the 20′ waterfall.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Matt wishing for more flow.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Am I doing this right? It’s been over seven years since I was a dope on a rope.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

On belay.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Easy peasy.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Jason and Matt, another prolific rappeler, setting up the anchors for two ropes.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Just before I was set to go down, Jason and Matt decided to add a safety brake called VT Prusik to my harness. Turned out to be a lifesaver. Literally.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Going down the 120′ waterfall after my unexpected fall with the VT Prusik arresting my fall. Look Ma, no hands!

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Chico rappelling down with his GoPro ornament on his helmet.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Is that a GoPro stick in your hand or are you just glad to see me?

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Jason bouncing down the wall.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Matt climbing back up the waterfall with his ascenders. Practice makes perfect.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

The group climbing up the steep hill to get back to the waterfalls.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

The guys checking out Chico’s Prusik Knot to make sure it was tied correctly.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Lean more back. Drop that ass. Like you gonna make dodo on the waterfall. Words of wisdom to rappel by.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Trying my hand using the ascenders on the shorter wall.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Squat. Stand up. Pull up. Repeat. Not easy on your first time around.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Jason and Matt keeping an eye on us novices.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Going down a different rope. Have VT Prusik. Will rappel.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Ferlino and myself going down the wall.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Chico coming down. Is my GoPro on? I have it on my helmet.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Matt making his way down. He didn’t want to make waves this time around.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Splish.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Splash. No wetsuit needed.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Ferlino coiling the climbing rope.

Mo'ole Falls

Mo’ole Falls

Group photo at the base of the second waterfall, left to right: Ferlino, myself, Jason, Chico and Matt.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Man down. Should’ve been locked in.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Going back through the valley.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

The irrigation tunnel that nobody wanted to enter.

Mo'ole Valley

Mo’ole Valley

Man in a tree. Surprised it wasn’t Ferlino.

All pau

All pau

Many thanks again to Jason for taking us rappelling and Matt for his assistance. Fun day. Post hike meal at Alejandro’s. The food did not live up to the hype. Should have gone to El Mariachi instead.

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Matt Vidaurri, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

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