[dan ze'l-ik-man] » hiking http://www.danzelikman.com I can't stop talking, so I started writing. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:35:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Kaua’i – The Kalalau Trail http://www.danzelikman.com/2010/06/kauai-the-kalalua-trail/ http://www.danzelikman.com/2010/06/kauai-the-kalalua-trail/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:04:57 +0000 Dan Zelikman http://www.danzelikman.com/?p=1376 In three simple words, Kaua’i is breathtaking. Kim and I agreed that it was one of our favorite places we’ve ever visited together and we hope to make another visit back soon. One of the elements we fell in love with immediately was the famed Kalalau Trail. As far as hiking experiences go, it had a little of everything. Endless coastal views that only get better the further you go, lush and unique plant life, private beaches, vast waterfalls, and friendly passerby’s who give you a smile and a nod as they go. We were even able to witness an authentic rain forest downpour after a storm pummeled us for over two hours! In some strange fashion, we loved it!

We were only able to hike four miles in, but we enjoyed every second of it. Thank you for checking out the video, I hope it gives you some incentive to visit the amazing island of Kaua’i.

]]> http://www.danzelikman.com/2010/06/kauai-the-kalalua-trail/feed/ 8 A Challenging Olomana Hike – Peak 3 of 3 http://www.danzelikman.com/2010/02/a-challenging-olomana-hike-peak-3-of-3/ http://www.danzelikman.com/2010/02/a-challenging-olomana-hike-peak-3-of-3/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:27:38 +0000 Dan Zelikman http://www.danzelikman.com/?p=1084 P1010041Continued from the post, Peak Two.

This peak was no picnic. After two moderate peaks, this one takes it to the next level. After completing the second peak you have to rappel down a rocky path using a rope that someone (I hope they were good at tying things) tied onto a tree. The decent from Peak 2 to Peak 3 is the greatest elevation drop of all the ones you have to take. Then of course you have to climb Peak 3, which is the steepest and most difficult of them all. It’s steep, rugged, and definitely not for the beginner hiker. My only tip is to bring lots of extra water, and make sure you save some energy for the way back.  Also…  it’s one of the most fun hikes I’ve done on Oahu so go train, and go kill it!

P1000991The decent begins.

P1000989Jack going down.

P1000994After a tricky decent, the real challenge begins.

P1010016What goes down, must come up.

Dan CliffSick photo op.

P1010034David Chat, deep in thought, and stuff.

IMG_0183A fellow hiker offered to take a shot of the Olomana Crew, we accepted.

IMG_0181Captain Jack.

IMG_0178Chat thinking twice about another risky drop.

IMG_0185Ropes make these drops a little less scary. A little.

IMG_0166A view along the way.

P1000973The Beast itself.

P1000946That’s all folks!

]]> http://www.danzelikman.com/2010/02/a-challenging-olomana-hike-peak-3-of-3/feed/ 3 A Challenging Olomana Hike – Peak 2 of 3 http://www.danzelikman.com/2009/12/a-challenging-olomana-hike-%e2%80%93-peak-2-of-3/ http://www.danzelikman.com/2009/12/a-challenging-olomana-hike-%e2%80%93-peak-2-of-3/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:55:46 +0000 Dan Zelikman http://www.danzelikman.com/?p=927 P1000536Continued from the post, Peak One.

After some much needed rest, a bag of stinky beef jerky (stinky is a good thing), some trail mix and  ice water, we decided to press on to tackle the second peak. We were beginning to get tired and a little hot, but the thought of turning back after one peak was too unsettling. Especially for our fearless leader David Chat, who had already reached the second peak on a previous ascent and was excited at the thought of a conquest of all three. I was excited at the idea of the conquest of more jerky.

IMG_0222Getting tired… but still climbing.

P1000586Lush ya’ll… lush.

IMG_3151Monkey business on the summit of the second peak.

P1000563

Second peak done. We were only standing upright for the pic.

IMG_3144A view of the “butt-kicker.” Stay tuned for Peak Three…

]]> http://www.danzelikman.com/2009/12/a-challenging-olomana-hike-%e2%80%93-peak-2-of-3/feed/ 2 A Challenging Olomana Hike – Peak 1 of 3 http://www.danzelikman.com/2009/11/a-challenging-olamana-hike-peak-1-of-3/ http://www.danzelikman.com/2009/11/a-challenging-olamana-hike-peak-1-of-3/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:51:48 +0000 Dan Zelikman http://www.danzelikman.com/?p=812 P1000553I’ve taken on hikes all around this planet. From covering the majority of the Adirondacks in New York to some of  the scarier paths that dive into the pits of the Grand Canyon. Throw in the Blue Mountains of Australia, the Appalachaian Trail of the East Coast, and some trails off the beaten path in Scandinavia, and you would say I have a decent resume of hiking trials. Hawaii… that’s its own story altogether.

Hawaii has what seems to be an endless selection of hikes and trails that span from coastal views to plush rain forest. I’ve been doing my best to tackle them one by one (whenever the ocean is flat anyway) but I feel like I would have to live here for 30 years to even make a dent. But after tackling the three peaks of Olomana, my body may have to rest for a while before I get back on track.

P1000520Along with extreme elevation changes, Olomana has a number of different environments that you experience. I dug it.

IMG_3129A view from the top of Peak One. Even though it took almost two hours to get here, we’re not even close to Three. Yikes.

P1000584This hike is SERIOUS business. Please, no monkey business.

IMG_0208The descent begins… tackling Peak Two of the mighty Olomana. Stay tuned…

]]> http://www.danzelikman.com/2009/11/a-challenging-olamana-hike-peak-1-of-3/feed/ 3