G&M's Journey to Kalalau Beach-- May 2008

Our 12-hour, 15-mile pilgrimage to Kalalau Beach in May 2008...

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kalalau
• Trail
• Kauai
• Beach
• Hiking
• Na
• Pali
• Fleet
• Foxes
• Hanakapia
• North
• Shore

[gmtsbm]

RE: Kalalau Bill

As many of you have heard, Bill Summers(AKA Kalalau Bill) has lately become the focus of the DLNR's wrath. Facing hefty fines and possibly even jail time, I encourage all of the trail's friends to support this good samaritan and his cause. The trail is safe along many of the infamous spots because of his work. If you have traversed the Napali Coast by foot in the last couple years, then you have benefited from this man's work. Visit Bill Summers followed by the "info" suffix

[mnmplus]

Just got back from doing the trail myself. oct. 25-30. Holy ----! that is a trail from hell. I loved it and the scenery is unmatchable, but it really does kick your ---. me and my friend were probably packing 50 lbs or more. and not it great shape. did you meet bill? he lives at the 8 mile mark. My shoes didn't fall apart, but I slipped at about 7 miles and almost slid into the rocky valley. (my pack caught me). That was scary! Proud to have done it. Excellent video!

[gmtsbm]

Thanks. Mile 7 is probably the worst place on the entire trail to take a tumble! You're lucky to be here. I understand that portion is in a lot better shape right now, due in large part to Kalalau Bill's maintenance and care. We have the utmost respect for him. He gave us a bit of advice about a tricky section beyond the 8-mile mark that really helped us.

[hammerfel]

What was the advice?

[gmtsbm]

After the 8-mile mark there's a section that looks like the logical continuation of the path and it's not. It's a portion that branches off on a ledge overlooking the water and cuts back in. It becomes more and more narrow, goes around a large boulder and eventually closes completely. A very dangerous diversion, I can assure you. More scary than anything on the actual trail.

[onetessie]

This is an awesome video. I have watched it several times. The map in the beginning is very cool, and watching your shoes fall apart was scary. Where did you get your shoes so that I don't buy those? Haha! But seriously. You had a great adventure! We'll be doing the trail at the end of November. I hope the weather holds up. I saw that someone wrote about only hiking 1 way. Can you really do that? What was in your 50 lb pack? Thanks for sharing your video!

[onetessie]

This is an awesome video. I have watched it several times. The map in the beginning is very cool, and watching your shoes fall apart was scary. Where did you get your shoes so that I don't buy those? Haha! But seriously. You had a great adventure! We'll be doing the trail at the end of November. I hope the weather holds up. I saw that someone wrote about only hiking 1 way. Can you really do that? What was in your 50 lb pack? Thanks for sharing your video!

[MichaelPatrick123]

that's an excellent video, bravo for the two of you! i never considered the trail due to a bad hip but i had resurfacing surgery about a year ago and i'm seriously considering this. not just for the hike but for the adventure. btw, i liked the little google map thing you did at the beginning, that was pretty cool.

[ckereluck]

Hi! This was a well-done vid! Adventure, humor, shoes falling apart, running out of water, perseverance...good stuff!

I make some short hiking vids for the fun of it, every time I'm in a mountain. Hikers World. Thanks! Keep doing this!