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I respect Jeffs knowledge and accomplishments, I think many know that him and Priti have accomplished quite a lot and, presumably, know what they are talking about - but I strongly disagree with this post and think it could be somewhat dangerous to leave it here for people who are looking for info on the route. I actually just solo'd Triple Couloirs two days ago, and I saw this comment before I went and already disagreed with it, but now that I have been up the route I can speak from experience. For reference on my background, for about 5 years ice climbing has been my main interest and I typically spend every winter in Hyalite. In Hyalite my limit is usually WI6. I also recently climbed the Polish Route on Colfax. I also come from a mountaineering background before that, and work as a guide on some of the volcanoes and have many years of experience using and teaching self arrest techniques. I arrived at the base of the runnels, and there appeared to be a thin smear of ice that appeared to lead to where I should be able to safely get into the second couloir. I started up them and eventually ended up somewhere that was not visible from the base of the runnels, and the ice disappeared. I relied on small thin patches of consolidated snow and blank rock to finish the section which was not terribly hard but quite insecure and low percentage holds. After this came another section that was steeper, and fortunately had just enough ice in it to get up, using very delicate thin technique, but had those few marginal patches of ice not been there I would have been a little screwed. Several times while soloing the technical section I looked down and thought about Jeffs comment that a fall would not be high up enough to result in fatality or injury, and you could self arrest... by the top of the runnels where the climbing got insecure I could only laugh at the thought of hitting the snow safely and self arresting. I think my head would have tomahawk bashed into the rock that creates the corner system about 6 times and who knows where my body would have landed. That said, I did have fun and probably would solo it again, but be warned that even if you carry bail gear theres almost no opportunity for pro in between pre existing anchors, so youll have to make it to one before you could bail down if the route is out. The rock that is under the ice is quite blank and makes dry tooling it to get to your next patch of climbable terrain pretty insecure. Also, I see that Jeff posted that in 2022, not sure the last time he climbed it but I know 2016/2017/2019 the route used to come in very fat, and Jeff may referencing times when the route used to see conditions that made it a much more secure feeling climb, and perhaps what you saw at the base of the runnels continued consistently throughout. Also, I think back then the Couloirs tended to be a bit more neve, where both times I've been in the route it seems to be more soft snow filled which would be futile to self arrest. Just wanted to add this to balance out the perspective.
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I’m me. 100%. Who are you channeling?
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Yes please. I volunteer Hellbent again!
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A couple views from the other side looking down into Kalalau Valley from the lookout are up on the mountain. It was a fantastic and also mildly exciting hike out the ridge from the lookout on the “closed” trail to look down here. Made more exciting by a toddler in a backpack. Thanksgiving 2023. I certainly thought about doing some more remote/off trail stuff. Too bad those cliffs are so crumbly!
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"learn to code". OK that made me laugh. that's the extent I'm getting involved in this thread though
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Archivoraptor joined the community
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that is pretty close to where I was thinking but maybe farther back a little, like on top of lookout mountain area. or maybe grouse butte. there are lots of logging roads in that area and the higher elevation could give the backdrop vantage than near the trailhead.
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Crazy how much the trees have grown and the glacier has shrunk in 45 years.
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That is a cool hike. Did it too. People were scared of the "cliff area". I didn't think that was that bad. I thought the red dirt area AFTER the cliff area was the most dangerous part, because if that area was wet, it would be very very slippery. Make sure when you do this trip take running shoes with good tread!
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https://maps.app.goo.gl/LiZiqEM4hG94BBjJ6
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Dang...nothing new under the sun
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Somewhere near Heather Meadows. but looking for a guess on a map.
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Who can triangulate at somewhat close location as to where this scene was shot?
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xovoy21100 joined the community
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mtkcolin joined the community
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Who else wants one? I just need your address, don't post it here...PM me. Lets get these out there and in the wild, on your trail rig, water bottle, laptop, etc...
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OK @emilio taiveaho pelaez , @JasonG @bedellympian @OlympicMtnBoy @psathyrella They are mailed off to you guys. I'll be dropping some off at Feathered Friends in Seattle, and probably more places as I can get to them. Additionally I just mailed the below stack to our site sponsor @AAI , so you should to to their gear store @AAIEquipShop up in Bellingham and get one there. They should be on the counter or whereever they put them, when they get them in a day or two. Address is: Address: 4041 Home Rd a, Bellingham, WA 98226 Open weekdays 10-6, closed on weekends.
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One of my favorite hikes ever, so great!....spent five days out there in the fall of 2002 on our honeymoon....what a magical spot! Too bad about all the boats and helicopters these days, I don't remember many at all. I've been thinking about going back for our 25th anniversary in a couple years and this TR is good motivation! If you went a little further, dropped down into the valley and then scrambled up towards the SW end of the Kalalau beach, you would have seen this view of those cliffs in a couple of your photos:
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GETNER DONE. OK everyone who sent me their address has some stickers on there way to them! Shoot me a message if you want some.
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AlmostAlpine started following La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoes 42 new and BD Creek 35 crag pack M/L
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$100. Cleaning out the closet. Worn but plenty of life left. No holes. All zippers and buckles in great condition. I’ll clean it off before I send it. Venmo/ cash is preferred. Buyer pays shipping. Willing to ship to lower 48. Willing to do in person meet up in Portland Oregon.
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Worn once. It didn't fit my foot. Gotta clean out the closet. $175 OBO. Buyer covers shipping. Will ship to lower 48. I'm open to in-person pick up. Based in Portland, OR. https://www.lasportivausa.com/otaki.html?srsltid=AfmBOopa4JAfE9yTTPSj3rALWNoD1N9nylOQ_vIsK3pBkh2DrVMPJLpT
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Any color, even with holes.
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Let me know if you've got one you're looking to offload.
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Trip: Kauai North Shore - Kalalau Trail Trip Date: 03/28/2025 Trip Report: Went to Kauai for spring break... no climbing... what a bummer. At least I got to hike some cool terrain. Would highly recommend. Only had the morning so I went light and fast. Only made it 9 out of the 10 miles out before my turn around time... I had to meet the family at a beach (tough life)... but this did get me to the ridge overlooking the Kalalau Vaslley, which is where the end point is. Trail was very rough and couldn't run very much. Once the sun was higher, heat stroke felt like it was just around the corner. Last 2 hrs were rough and once I reached the Ke'e beach I stood under the rinse shower for 5 minutes with all my clothes on and chugged a liter of water much too fast. The permit system is a little difficult to navigate, you can book 3 months out and need an overnight permit to go past Hanakapiai creek. I lucked out and snagged a pass a month out. The permit system does make it very nice once you're in, as there are very few people around for such a known and beautiful trail. There are lots of tour boats and helicopters showing the wealthy and lazy around this side of the island. It's pretty annoying in general. However, it was ego tickling when I was running a particularly exposed section of cliff and some guys in their boat tour a 100m off shore started cheering and chanting. Here's the pictures... Big plants Big cliffs Exposed trail... still nice and shady on the way out Wild goats... combined with the vegetation and the volcanic rock and it's basically just like the Cascades. Count the tour boats More big cliffs Looking back, rugged terrain More big cliffs, oooh pretty light And even more big cliffs Looking back out / big cliffs redeux Kalalau Valley Exposed scramble section... felt very chill but there were some seriously sketched out hikers Beach recovery... water was too warm to ice bath... pity Gear Notes: Trail shoes, snacks, lots of water and electrolytes. Approach Notes: Ha'ena State Park shuttle from Hanalei. Book your permit online 3 months out.