Kalalau Trail Napali Coast Kauai Hawaii 2023

The Kalalau Trail is a trail along Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The trail runs approximately 11 miles (18 km) along the island's north shore from Keʻe Beach to the Kalalau Valley. The trail has been named one of the most beautiful and dangerous hikes of the United States.

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I hiked that trail back in 2008. I distinctly remember the up-grade there at the end: coming down it on my return I met a group of about a half-dozen white women coming up it, all sweating, panting and moving very slowly. This was because they were grossly overweight, dressed in what looked like yoga clothes, and carrying what seemed to be enough gear and food for a multi-day trip in big black plastic garbage bags tied and slung over their shoulders or simply gripped in either hand. Accompanying them was a smallish grade-school-age boy. They seemed cheerful enough though they were obviously struggling, and we managed to get past each other without too much trouble. I was about 200 yards down the trail from them when the most earsplitting commotion erupted: the young boy was screaming unintelligibly in what seemed like incandescent rage. I heard the women calling back and forth to one another: "What happened?" "I don't know, he just melted down!" I kept moving.
It was an eerie encounter with weird people. I hope their lives turned out okay but somehow I doubt it.