Alakai swamp is really not technically a swamp, it is more of a bog in the remains of the volcanic caldera that created Kauai. Sitting at about 4000 ft in altitude, the area is constantly draped in clouds which makes your hikes a wonderfully cool and misty experience (if you are not prepared for it then I guess it would be a wet and cold experience. I totally forgot to bring anything warm to sleep in and my nights in the tent were a comical wrestling match between me and my attempt to use a 1/2 beat sheet (used for spider sampling) and towel as bed covers. I remembered to bring all the collecting equipment but totally forgot about myself.)