TR: Backpacking Napali Coast, Kauai

[iskibc]

Fresh off 10 days of backpacking in the South Pacific. Life is good right now. Unfreakingbelievable trip! Definitely a journey I will never forget.

The boss sent me with 11 students on an outdoor adventure trip to the isle of Kauai, Hawaii to backpack the Napali Coast and more. The Kalalua Trail is 11 miles into the backcountry with some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever laid eyes on. Breathtaking. 3,000 foot cliffs into the Pacific on one side, and thick mountainous jungle on the other. We spent 4 days on the Napali Coast and the rest of the time camping and sailing along the shores and lush jungles of the Garden Isle.

Looking down the first part of the Napali:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/NapaliCoast1.jpg


Along the trail:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/napalicoast3.jpg


Our group crossing a river after leaving camp 1:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/fordingtheriver.jpg


Bali Hai (start of Napali) Sunset from our boat:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/normal_balihaisunset.jpg


Part of our group checking out the view atop one of the ledges:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/napalicliff.jpg

Napali scenery:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/NapaliCoast2.jpg


The Trail:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/napalihiking.jpg

Waterfall along the trail:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/waterfall.jpg

[iskibc]

Sunset:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/normal_sunset.jpg

Kauai mountains:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/mountain.jpg


From the boat:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/atsea.jpg


Surf:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/waves.jpg

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Nice! Reminds me of my honeymoon (without all the college kids running around of course).

We hiked just a tiny piece of that trail....started at the trail head just past Hanalai and hiked to the first beach/waterfall split.

Was a pain in the ass and got strange looks from others while hiking it in flip flops....but boy did I show them when I had my shoes off in mere seconds to dip in the ocean!!!! ;)

[sick.bird]

CAW!!!

[altagirl]

Originally posted by iskibc

Along the trail:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10570/napalicoast3.jpg



Deja vu:

Pic from my trip:

[Ireallyliketoski]

Absolutely beautiful dude. That sunset picture should be in a dentist's office.

[TheDingleberry]

Sick.

[KQ]

Out of all the islands Kauai is my favorite!!! Looks like you had a great trip! Napali rocks!

[xboat]

nice!

i want to go there so freakin' bad....

[p-tex]

Kewl!!!

Reminds me of the back pack / camping trip I took to Kauai. Hiked this trail and it brings back lots of memories!! Spent a week camping at various beaches and just hanging out. Rented a car from a guy named Earl for $20 cash / day. Managed to spend 4 days on Kauai for less than $200 and had a great time.

Congrats on your trip!

[hev]

very cool iskibc....looks like a good/cheap way to do hawaii.

[iskibc]

Originally posted by hev
very cool iskibc....looks like a good/cheap way to do hawaii.

I wouldn't do it differently hev. Backpacking is the way to go for the islands. Definitely beats staying in a posh resort for a week. You get a lot more out the trip than just a sun tan and a week-long hangover. You acquire an appreciation of the landscape, culture, and natural beauty of the island through a backpacking experience.

edit: Just be sure not to camp in the local's sacred caves. Had a rude awakening one morning to a full-blooded Hawaiin screaming in my face, "stupid haole, white boy, don't you speak english you fackin' white skinned mainland trash?, this is our sacred cave, no haoles allowed!, Fack, fack , fackin haole, etc. etc., you better leave before I get my uncle and his friends".

[Tippster]

Schweeet. I envy you.

Not to pick nits, but Hawaii is NOT in the South Pacific - it's North of the Equator... :p

[frozenwater]

Originally posted by iskibc
You get a lot more out the trip than just a sun tan and a week-long hangover.

Ain't nothing wrong with either of these stupid haole!

[cololi]

kauai is awesome. My rich aunt used to own the last house before you got to Kee bay (the northern trail head), just below bali hai. That place is one of my favorite places on earth. Damn, I want to go there again! Did you take a dip in teh "Cool Pool", the little pool of water right next to the road at the last bridge? It is a historical "bath' of the natives. What about the Blue Room? Going into that place freaks me out every time. I miss that place!

[mountainbored]

MMMMMMM,tropical!

[Schmear]

Originally posted by Ireallyliketoski
Absolutely beautiful dude. That sunset picture should be in a dentist's office.

So you mean in ALL of our offices.

[iskibc]

Originally posted by cololi
Did you take a dip in teh "Cool Pool", the little pool of water right next to the road at the last bridge? It is a historical "bath' of the natives. What about the Blue Room? Going into that place freaks me out every time. I miss that place!

The Cool Pool was actually flooded from heavy rainfall the previous day. A kayak would have been fun for that though:D .

Ahhh, the Blue room, not as tantalizing as the white room, but fun nonetheless. Wet caves are pretty amazing. I think I remember the house you are talking about. Fackin' sweet location. I would give my left nut to live there.

All of the North Shore was going off in terms of wave activity. A couple of 40 foot faces were reported near Kee Beach during one series of swells. The day that we were able to get out and ride some waves, they were of decent size (10-15 footers). Of course I got the "get out of the way haole?" a couple of times while we were out surfing.

[SheRa]

Beeautiful!

I might go to Maui in April. Will come back with a tan and a hangover. ;)