My first and only time hiking Maunawili Falls was the muddiest hike of I've done to date. On this particular day, we roamed through the thick mud in flip flops, none the less, and slipped on every step we took. Bodies were sliding, hands were flying up in the air, and back packs broke a fall. Nobody knew what they were getting into when we began, but i don't think any of us could forget this day full of bonding.
Throughout this hike, every single person in our group fell at least three times.
After giving up on slippers myself, I decided to try my luck walking barefoot in the slip 'n slide. My toes tried to cling to any roots around, but most of the time I would just kick them. I spent plenty of time on my butt, unable to find any sort of grip.
After hours of hiking and looking for a "short cut," we finally found the falls. Dreaming of Jason Mraz and his magical music videos, we all jumped in the chilly water after sweating and sticking to caked on mud.
And let me remind everyone that it had been raining days following the hike, making the air nippy and the weather still moist.
Everyone can obviously sense Shaun's excitement ;)
The falls were beautiful. Everyone charged the small rock with it's own personal waterfall. Our large group completely took over this mossy rock, and our first's jumps off of it were a feat in itself. And then we all saw our real challenge....
The thirty foot leap off of the foliage on the left seemed doable from the water below, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into until I reached the top.
After seeing Shaun, Kenny, and Justin launch off, three of the girls in the group, myself included, decided we couldn't leave without matching them. Emily, Griff, and I slowly made our way up the climb, each taking our turn manuvering down the slippery path to the jump site.
Everyone could tell the boys were so proud that the three of us could do it
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even if it did include three separate death curtling screams ;)
After a couple of hours of jumping and swimming, we all knew it was time to go home, but not before a couple of group pictures.
First, the couples...Justin and I, plus Brittany and Kenny :)
Then the roomies came along...Michelle and Emily.
Finally, the whole gang...from left to right in the back we have Justin, Kenny, Shaun, Griff, Big Red aka Shane, Costy, and Davis. In the front we have Brittany, Emily, Me, and Michelle.
It had been an extremely long day of mud and fun. We got lost in the forest. Some of us ate complete shit. Half of us jumped the highest rock. And we all had a great time...especially Justin...
