Dennis, with two crash pads strapped on his back, pushes through California grass to get to the rock wall.

He hits the first move from the sit start on this overhanging rock wall. If you’ve never tried this type of thing, it’s almost impossible to explain how difficult it is to hold this position. But, believe me, it’s really really hard.

Justin, owner of Volcanic Rock Gym, put up some FAs (FA = first ascent. If you get an FA, that means you were the first person to complete a bouldering problem or route.)

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Last weekend I met up with the guys at this newly discovered bouldering spot called OZ. When looking for rock to climb, the most desirable feature boulderers look for is an overhang. (That’s why The Arch is so awesome.) You want to be able to start low and climb out from under the overhanging rock and then up the face. OZ has this. There’s a great overhang and the face of the rock goes up anywhere from 15 to 30 feet.

This place is for experienced climbers only though. The problems are hard and you need to be willing to risk having chunks of rock break off and fall on you as you climb. Climb here at your own risk.

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Somewhere in Kaneohe, tucked away under a house, there’s a cave where two monkeys climb.

They are named Cliff and Kyle and this is the Monkey Cave.

The Monkey Cave is a home rock climbing gym that the two guys built under Cliff’s house. They built it because, at the time, there was no rock climbing gym on the island and they needed a place to climb at night or when it was raining. It took them a year to complete and they did everything themselves.

If you have ever seen Cliff or Kyle climb at Volcanic Rock Gym and wondered how they got so good, well this might have something to do with it. Of course, they are also both naturally freakishly strong.

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Angel inspects the holds. (They are small.)

Nancy starts the Northern Whale boulder problem at the Green Boulders.

Matt hits the lip on the Norther Whale boulder problem.

Last week, Matt, Joe and Nancy organized a nighttime bouldering session at the Green Boulders. The Green Boulders is a secluded bouldering spot tucked away in a valley on the Oahu’s North Shore. You get here by hiking up a short yet sweat inducing trail for 45 minutes or so. The forest opens up and you see some of the largest free standing boulders on the island. (See how how the Green Boulders look during the day.)

We spent the night climbing and unwinding. It was a different type of pau hana.

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The Lanikai Pillboxes trail overlooks the Lanikai neighborhood and the “Moks”.

On the trail there’s a small crag that some people climb.(On Reanne’s back is a bouldering crash pad.)

The Lanikai Pillboxes hike (a.k.a, Ka’iwa Ridge Trail) is well known for being one of the easiest hikes on the island and one of the most scenic. That’s a rare combination. You can complete the hike in an hour or less if you wanted to. But once you see the sweeping views of Kailua and Lanikai from the ridge, you may want to spend more time on the trail.

Come at dawn or dusk for the best views.

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