Spring Break '08 & The Wedding of the Century

It's a record! 2 posts in two months! But seriously, a lot has happened, folks. Let me start with my trip to Hawaii. Last Spring Break I went out to Arizona to hike one of the most scenic and luscious parts of the Grand Canyon. This year, I flew out to the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi to hike the Napali Coast (see map) with Dad. The Napali Coast is considered to be among the world's most beautiful trails (see pictures for why), but it also ranked a 9/10 for difficulty and technicality by the prestigious Sierra Hiking Club. When it's dry, the trail is a grueling 11 miles (one way... there's only one route in and out for a total of 22 miles) with constant elevation changes, over a dozen draws, and countless switchbacks. On wet days, parts of the trail that run along cliff faces become harrowing for even the most experienced hikers. We thank God that we hit the trail dry.

The map of Kauaʻi is to the right. The main road goes around the perimeter of the island and there is very little development on the interio, due both to the roughness and wetness of the terrain. You will also notice a section on the NW corner where there is no road (kinda hard to build through the mountains). This is the Napali Coast. We started from where the road ends in the NE corner and hiked to the point where the blue dot is (you can see it better if you click on the map to blow it up).

Where the road ends in the NW Corner (Kalalau Valley Lookout on the map) is where this next photo was taken.

























We took this on Monday of that week (I had flown in the evening before), by Thursday we were camping at the coastline you see in the picture. There's about a 3000' change in elevation from where we camped to where this picture was taken. Again, the picture is not from the trailhead. You can't get in from this side of the island.























We got a late start on Tuesday, round about 3:00 was when we set out on the trail. The first campsite was six miles from the trailhead and sunset was 6:40. I wasn't too worried at the time, but when it came 5:00 and we had only made it to the two-mile beach, Dad and I both realized that we'd be bivouacking on the trail that night. Mind you, this is mountain territory--there really aren't any flat spots between here and there. We ended up sleeping in our sacks with no tent, but it was a really neat experience.

You can't see it in the dark, but there's a steep grade drop off to the left in this pic that goes all the way to the thundering coastline below. The only to catch ya is all the falm trees and other bramble that springs out from the side of the mountain.

Again, you can't see it, but there's probably a 60 degree drop just past those dead palms fronds. It's kinda like a hammock on the side of a cliff.

The dead palm fronds made for nice padding and I slept well that night. Dad didn't want anything to do with them because they're kinda prickly.

We got a fresh start Wednesday morning at about 8:00. Dad dropped off a lot of unnecessary weight at the spot we slept. We'd hiked in three miles Tuesday, so 8 more to go at the pace of 1 mi/hr. It was a long day, but around every draw we got a new scenery. Palm trees, giant frond plants, Michigan-like forests, Puff the Magic Dragon (the original, seriously), and at the end of the day what reminded me of the Highlands in Ireland (just gorgeous... Ireland is definitely on my list after this trip!).





At mile 7, we hit the most treacherous part of the trail. To the left is shear rock, to your right is a quick drop to water crashing upon rock with unimaginable force (during the nights, we often thought is was thunder, shakes the very ground you sleep on).

The trail here really isn't much more than a foot wide. And it's not enough that the water is pounding a rock face below you, when you look down you see rubble the water to crashing over every-which way--stirring about like a witches brew... it looks like a meat-grinder. No wonder the trail is rated a "9." I would not have wanted to hike this portion when the rock and clay was slick with precipitation.


We stepped foot into the Kalalau Valley around 4:00 and arrived at the 11-mile campsite around 5:00. Just in time to pitch our tent, relax, eat a little freezer dried Turkey Tetrazzini, and walk down to enjoy a Hawaiian sunset on the island's most beautiful and remote beach. Early the next morning, I got up and hiked up the valley about 2 1/2 mile, following the river. Dad stayed back and enjoyed the scenery, including a colorful bird that enjoyed sitting on top my backpack, from what I'm told. We set off around 11:00 or so and were at the six-mile campsite by 3:00. We both decided that we would be fine bivouacking on the trail again in order to get out early Friday afternoon. We passed a real nice flat spot for our tent around 6:00 and didn't come across anything else that seemed inviting for the rest of the evening. We were finally driven off the trail by the darkness around 7:00, the trail is just too dangerous to hike with the reduced lighting of flashlights only. I opted for another bed of dead palm fronds, and Dad made do with a spot about 60 yards down the trail (my bed had rocks in in, he didn't like that).

During the blackest part of the night (no clue what ime it was... but it was inky black), I woke up to a weird sound... "shkwerwerer... shkwerwerer... schsich." My first though was that a wild board might be rooting around nearby. How nearby? I was about to find out! I flick on my flashlight and shone it in a circular arc from left to right. About 4 feet from my feet and to the right and furry little animal was standing about 1 ft high on his haunches. Biggest mouse I ever saw. Apparently, he thought dead palm fronds made a great bed too.

Around 1:00 the next day we got sight of the beach where the trail starts. Civilization never sounded so good!





































The first things of civilization I enjoyed (besides clean clothes and a car) were an iced coffee and a fish burrito.

That night, we treated ourselves to a resort hotel room and a fine Seafood restaurant (delicatessen!). In the morning, we ate at a breakfast spot on an outdoor balcony. In short, we fully enjoyed our return to the civilized world.

For some REALLY scenic photos, people shots, and to see my coffee cup in Hawaii, visit my Ringo site.


IN OTHER NEWS....
THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY!

On March 8th, 2008, Johnny Slachta & Samantha McFadden were united in holy matrimony as Mr. & Mrs. John Slachta. It was my great honour to stand with Johnny and witness the fruit of his persistent labours. Samantha got herself a winner... and John got himself a pearl beyond price. Best wishes to you both, congratulations, and may the Lord bless your marriage.