Climbing on the Big Island (of Hawaii).

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Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 27, 2016 - 07:09pm PT
So here I am, having a great time, though I've got my shoes just in case.,Anybody know if there's much to climb here? We're on the Kona side, I've read of a small DWS cave south of Kona. Anybody know of any other bouldering, etc., around here?
landcruiserbob

Trad climber
PUAKO, BIG ISLAND Kohala Coast
Aug 27, 2016 - 08:18pm PT
Lived here forever, nada enjoy the ocean. Good south swell working...

Really south point cliffs and hapuna boulders...

Aloha and be well

Rg
F

climber
away from the ground
Aug 27, 2016 - 09:21pm PT
In my experience, which is not much at all...
What Bob said.
I had some luck at south point. There is some great potential for some DWS, but the consequences could be super Gnar due to being crushed on the cliffs by 30 ft waves.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Aug 27, 2016 - 09:32pm PT
I tried the cave I think you're talking about on just a moderate swell day, and it was amazingly scenic, but I felt very uncomfortable with the graham cracker quality of the rock combined with how the waves grow and collide with the rock as they are funneled in to the cave. I got about 8 or 10 feet out before retreating. If you hit a nice, glassy day I think it'd be phenomenal, but conditions would have to hit just right with the shape of the coast there.
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 27, 2016 - 10:53pm PT
Appreciate the replies. Pretty stoked with the water activities but figured I'd shoot out some feelers. Mahalo.
Sula

Trad climber
Pennsylvania
Aug 27, 2016 - 11:28pm PT
... consequences could be super Gnar due to being crushed on the cliffs by 30 ft waves.
Also be careful of strong current at South Point - it's a long way to the next land.
karen roseme

Mountain climber
Bishop
Aug 28, 2016 - 04:38pm PT

It is a cliff jumping spot but you can also climb up
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 28, 2016 - 06:28pm PT
Yup, that's the place. We'll see if we get there. First we need to tear ourselves away from this:
landcruiserbob

Trad climber
PUAKO, BIG ISLAND Kohala Coast
Aug 28, 2016 - 11:24pm PT
BooDawg

Social climber
Butterfly Town
Aug 29, 2016 - 06:12am PT
I lived 25 years on Hawaii Island, mostly quite happy with water sports and hiking. But I took my daughter's girl scout troop top-rope climbing near Kapa'a Beach Park. As you drive toward the beach park, look for a gate on the left which accesses the old Kohala Railroad bed. Follow the right-of-way south until it runs over a built up sea cliff. The climbing on the sea cliff below is safer than most on the Island, and you can make it as difficult as you want by being creative (one-hand only, etc.). There are placements to anchor a belayer on the mauka (land-side) of the railroad bed. Have fun! Aloha.
karen roseme

Mountain climber
Bishop
Aug 29, 2016 - 09:01am PT
[youtube=https://youtu.be/GCwswguh7Po]

More fun in Kona
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Aug 29, 2016 - 12:24pm PT
I've been to the big island about 8 times. I keep meaning to make it out to End of the World to do some cliff jumps (something I love) but I always find other things to do, nevermind looking for mediocre rock climbing.

The most unique/amazing thing I've done, which I've repeated twice, is hiking out to the flowing lava to poke sticks and egg whisks in it.

Conditions change, but I think you can do it now. It's on the other side from Kona, but it's only a few hour drive. So worth it.
The first 2 times I did it by crossing the National Park land on my own. The 3rd time I went with a tour group because you needed to cross private land to get to the flows. It was about $100 and so worth it.

http://www.kohalatours.com/lava-hiking-hawaii/
http://www.kalapanaculturaltours.com/ (I think this is the outfit I went with, make sure they let you touch it, some Hawaiians are opposed to it).

After that Night Scuba or Snorkeling with the Manta Rays out of the Kona harbor is also unique and awesome.

They may ban swimming with the Spinner dolphins soon, so you may want to do that as well.

Nevermind, surfing, some of the best shore scuba diving in the world, visiting the observatories at 14,000 feet, waterfall hikes, etc.
BooDawg

Social climber
Butterfly Town
Aug 29, 2016 - 12:45pm PT

Photo of location I mentioned up-thread.

Kilauea summit eruption.

G_Gnome

Trad climber
Cali
Aug 29, 2016 - 12:51pm PT
Watch out when at south point though. I have been there when one slip into the ocean and you would not get out until you got to China.
BooDawg

Social climber
Butterfly Town
Aug 29, 2016 - 01:00pm PT
More likely is French Polynesia! LOL!
Impaler

Social climber
Oakland
Aug 29, 2016 - 01:14pm PT

Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 29, 2016 - 04:37pm PT
Thanks for all the tips. Had a great morning going on a snorkeling cruise near Hapuna. Great water clarity, with lots of fish and coral. Day after next we go the Hawaii Volcanoes NP for a couple of nights. End of the World may be a no go given the tropical storm developing. Weather permitting we may try the manta dive, which sounds terrific, and see some of Kona. My daughter and I did some shallow water buildering on the fake rocks at the Waikoloa kiddie pool, which was diverting. Staff just looked at us, but said nothing.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Aug 29, 2016 - 08:55pm PT
The most unique/amazing thing I've done, which I've repeated twice, is hiking out to the flowing lava

This x1000. Hands down one of the most awe-inspiring things I've ever seen.

Weather permitting we may try the manta dive, which sounds terrific

I can't personally vouch for this, but my wife did it in May and said it was mind blowing.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Aug 31, 2016 - 05:54pm PT
The first time I asked about hiking out to the lava the staff/rangers at the national park either played dumb or really advised against it. They probably have a lot of rescues and don't want to deal with it. We only knew about it through talking to a local.

That was about 14 years ago. When I went a couple years ago it's much more mainstream with regular tours, guided by Hawaiians.

When we first went on our own there was a tour group with a local guide there, the Hawaiian guide came up and asked me not to poke the lava with the blackened/burned hiking staff I had (borrowed from a local). I said sure (and in my head thought well, not in front of you anyway). And as soon as they were gone I proceeded to poke the lava and dip an egg whisk in it.

Later when I went with a local guide I was worried they'd have the same feelings, but they said "no problem, we actually stop on the way out there so everyone can pick out a stick". LOL. Times / attitudes change.

I did a helicopter fly over and hiking was WAY better. If the park rangers tell you not to hike out there find a local guide.

My son did it when he was about 12. It was about a 2 hour hike over tough, sharp, uneven lava rock. Probably wouldn't want to take any younger unless the hike is shorter or they are a great hiker.

I did scuba for the manta rays and it was awesome, but snorkeling looks about as cool and a different perspective, I still need to do that. But it can be hit or miss. May by 0 or 1 manta ray, or 6, you never know.
L.A. Woman

Social climber
Buggerville
Sep 2, 2016 - 07:02am PT
It's super easy to get to the flow from the Kalapana side of the Park right now, at least before the storm. It's a 4.5 mile hike each way on a gravel road so makes for easy hiking at night. The full moon nights were great, bring headlamp otherwise. Spectacular creation of land in the making. Have been going out there for the past 28 years and it's still an extreme rush each time. Have fun and be safe. Aloha!
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