You learn something new every day! ‘Boonie Stomping’ is the term Guam residents give to energetic hikes that often end with a swim in either a pool or the sea. In this article, ex-Guam resident Melanie Butler shares her memories of the island.
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Boonie Stomping and Snorkeling on Guam
Guam: a beautiful green gem nestled amongst a chain of islands, blanketed in the vast blue Pacific Ocean. Despite its seemingly isolated location, the island is close to many other countries: only a few hours flight from South Korea, China, Russia, and Japan. Guam may be small, but the island teems with life of all forms. I was lucky enough to live on the island for three years, and during that time I regularly took part in two of Guam’s most popular pastimes: ‘boonie stomping’ and snorkeling. The former often leads to the latter, so you get a ‘two for the price of one’ adventure! Oh and they’re both free – that’s a bargain right there!
What Is Boonie Stomping?
‘Boonie stomping’ basically means ‘hiking’ in Guam. I assume that this activity got its name from the colloquially used term for the brush and vegetation, “boonies” which one “stomps through”. On Guam, there is no shortage of trails to hike. Boonie stomping is so popular on the Island that there are teams and organizations that you can join. It’s a great way to learn about the Island’s heritage and to experience Guam in its raw, natural state.
These trails made me feel a lot like ‘Alice in Wonderland’ because I didn’t always know how far down the rabbit hole I would go, but I was sure that at the other end there would be something truly fantastic waiting for me! In fact a couple of the trails I ‘stomped’ passed through some magical places: caves, or pools, and even cave pools!
Pagat Caves
My favorite boonie stomp was to Pagat Caves. I liked this one the best as it was challenging but not as demanding as some other trails I had been on: it suited my abilities well. The trail lead through glimmering turquoise cave pools, and also took in an ancient Chamorro village. As a history enthusiast I felt as if I had entered a time machine; being there I could imagine what life might have been like hundreds of years ago.
Guam’s history often reveals itself during a boonie stomp. In World War 2, the island was invaded by the Japanese, and later recaptured by American troops. There are still visible signs of this military presence from decades before. Occasionally one may stumble across expended shell casings or shrapnel, and even old military machinery.
A popular boonie stomp was ‘Tarzan Falls’, which ended with a descent to a swimming hole under a waterfall. Sitting under a waterfall is a great way to cool off after a hard stomp!
Boonie Stomping Tips
When it comes to the boonie stomp itself, do be prepared for scrambling over rocks and climbing up and down steep inclines. Be sure to wear shoes with non-slip soles (some people put socks over their shoes to get a better grip). Another tip I would like to mention is to bring along gloves. Probably not what you expected to hear for a tropical island, but trust me they play an essential role. The reason is called ‘sword grass’. This plant has a samurai-like ability to shred hands that grab it for leverage, and is no laughing matter. It totally lives up to its name and reputation.
The Island’s trails offer a wonderful way to see Guam’s natural beauty. Everything felt untouched and undiscovered; I always felt as though I was the first person ever to have passed through. This is especially the case when I came across caves containing crystal clear pools.
Boonie trails can lead you anywhere, whether it’s the secret caves and their pools, out onto a ledge that affords you a view of the ocean glinting in the sun, or to the beach where you can cool off in the sea.
Snorkeling In Guam
And this is where the snorkeling comes in! Guam has the best water to snorkel in, out of any of the many other places I have tried. The clarity of the water is astounding.
My favorite spot for snorkeling was Gab Gab beach on the Naval Base. It boasted clear water, opportunities to swim in both shallow and deep areas, coral, fish, and many other odd-looking sea creatures. Snorkeling gives one the opportunity to observe a world usually hidden from human eyes.
Another snorkeler’s paradise was Ypao beach. Fishing wasn’t allowed in this area, and there were countless occasions where would I swim alongside fish, and have them brush up against me.
These are just two of the many wonderful places one could go snorkeling in Guam. The coral reefs around the island were amazing, though one had to be very careful not to cut yourself on them. If you have aqua socks be sure to use them. Regardless of whether you go at high or low tide, at some point in your swim walking on the sea bed or rocks will be a necessity.
Conclusion
Guam is an adventurer’s playground. Largely untamed, yet steeped in history. Boonie stomping and snorkeling give one the opportunity to experience the island’s natural beauty, and to catch a glimpse of its past.