Tom invited Justin, Rebecca, Rob, Ryan and myself for a fun day falling off waterfalls. Photo by Tom Engle.

Trailhead

We all met up at the crack of dawn near the top of Maikiki Heights to begin our hike on the Kalawahine trail.

Tree crossing

Ducking underneath a fallen tree. Some had to duck more than others.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Walking through the corridor of creaking bamboo and rustling leaves.

Overlook

Group photo by Justin Brackett, left to right: Justin, Ryan, Rebecca, Rob, myself and Tom.

Nu’uanu Valley

Our morning view of the Pali with the crowned peak of Lanihuli hidden in the swirling heavens.

Splash of color

Orchids on the trail.

Junction

The group making the left turn to stay on the trail.

Misty trail

Clouds soon rolled in bringing us a taste of the swirling heavens that the Pali was enjoying.

Right way?

We left the trail to slide down the mud sheeted ridge.

Dead end

Our progress was soon stopped by a steep cliff. Wait. We have ropes. We can rappel down!

On rope

Rebecca rappelling down the heavily overgrown ridge. Rob had cleared the rope earlier by making sure it didn’t get tangled on the way down.

On webbing

Rebecca answered the age old question if one can rappel with webbing.

Stream

We followed the stream down to find … waterfalls.

Stream

Time to put on our wetsuits. The zipper goes in the back. Photo by Justin Brackett.

On rope

Trees make good anchors.

Rapelling

Tom coming down. Photo by Rebecca.

Rapelling

Ryan coming down. Photo by Rebecca.

Rapelling

Rob coming down. Photo by Rebecca.

Pulling

Rob pulling the rope down.

Looking down

I see people. Live people. Photo by Tom Engle.

Throwing rope

Look out below. Three points.

Rapelling

Tom going down.

Rapelling

Rebecca going down.

Rapelling

Rebecca coming down. Photo by Tom Engle.

Rapelling

Ryan getting ready to go down.

Rapelling

Ryan coming down. Photo by Tom Engle.

Rapelling

My turn as Rob makes sure the rope is not rubbing on the rock. I guess that would be a bad thing. Photo by Justin Brackett.

Rapelling

Me coming down. Photo by Tom Engle.

All smiles

Not a bad way to spend the day. Cold, wet and happy. Photo by Justin Brackett.

Headed out

It was time to leave as the pools began filling with the rush hour traffic of people.

All pau

Many thanks to Tom, Justin, Rob and Rebecca for showing us the ropes. Post hike meal at Serg’s Mexican Kitchen. Mexican cola to wash it all down. Pure cane sugar.