Things have changed. Fueled by Oahu’s climbing headquarters at Volcanic Rock Gym, a few friends and I have been practicing at the gym and finding new spots to climb around the island. The Mokule’ia Crag (or the Moks), is one of the better spots to play on.

Gearing up for a the 30 minute accent to the face. It isn’t super hard but with gear you start a huffing and a puffing.

See – there’s the huffing.

…and a puffing.

Mokule’ia boasts about twp dozen routes – various difficulty levels but all good fun.

David Chat making it look easy.

Kim calculating here first few moves.

Captain Jack and some smearing action.

A view from the top.

Me rocking the one foot in front of the other technique – and needing a haircut.

Closing time…

Celebratory beers, food and tunes are in order after a great day of climbing.

Being more accustomed to outdoor multi-pitch climbing, bouldering is still new to me. Most boulder problems start in strange and in uncomfortable “sit-start” positions that make the routes challenging right off the get-go. It’s pretty much the reason why I need to get my butt to the rock gym on a more regular basis.

David Chat planning his next move while Waimea stays calm behind him. It’s hard to believe that the Eddie Surf Tournament was held at this very spot only months ago.

Bouldering, like surfing, somehow creates new friendships rather quickly. We met Mike on the rock, and he helped with some strategy from below.

Depending on your size and shape, your climbing style will vary greatly. Unlike myself, David can use his light weight and agility to get around tricky edges like this one. Here he’s sporting what I like to call, the “angry monkey.”

Only a little higher up, boulder problems are still demanding on the fingers. Crimpers…

Try left. Nope. Try right. Nope. What about more right? Nope. Yeah, I’m pretty much stuck.

Another benefit of climbing at Wiamea, a nice ocean to jump into to quench the heat. This rock offers a fun mellow cliff jump around 15-20 ft high.

One day maybe, but unfortunately I haven’t made a strong enough commitment to pursue climbing in Hawaii (other than the black rocks at Waimea) but that’s something I’m planning on changing really soon.

On this one day we got a chance to climb with some sizable swell to our backs. Mark and Suzi were visiting us from Colorado and although Mark wanted to surf, Suzi wanted Mark to live. Being that the three of us were all climbing guides in the Adirondacks, some bouldering at Waimea turned out to be a great (and safe) alternative.
Pipeline in all its glory, firing barrel after wicked barrel.

Waimea wasn’t so glorious that day, but it was big. So big that most of the beach was closed to the public and almost nobody was in the water. Except of course for the crazies that enjoy getting pounded into the sand by some 20+ foot beach break. Somehow, you can’t help but appreciate it.

Mark OPT trying to get a better look at the waves (while simultaneously trying to show off his bouldering skills).

Things can get pretty competitive when you pin ex-teammates back together again.

Some others joined in the fun, and some climbed too high and needed our help to get down.

We had a blast with Mark and Suzi… wish you were still, here.