A Trout Laker Abroad

Spring 2017: Waipio Valley There are many beautiful places on the Big Island of Hawai'i, but not many come close to Waipi'o Valley. This incredible place is the first of many deep and lush valleys that slice through the northern most cliffs of the island, stretching from Hamakua up into Kohala. Many of these valleys are only accessible by foot, they are considered some of the most remote locations on the island. Their steep sides plunge thousands of feet from the top of the plateau down to the flat valley floor, covered in dense foliage and wide streams. These stretch deep into the island, giant waterfalls pouring over the cliffs. The valley walls run right to the edge of the ocean, making trekking along the coast impossible, forcing hikers up and over the soaring plateaus dividing the valleys. Not only do these valleys hold beauty, but history and culture. One of these isolated valleys was the birthplace of King Kamehameha The Great, and the ruling chiefs of Kohala live...

Spring 2017: Volcano National Park  After being here in Hawai'i for some time now our trips and weekend outings have become increasingly involved and adventurous. We have driven to a remote valley on the island’s northern coast, hiked through the scorching lava fields of Kalapana to see rivers of lava flowing into the ocean and gone snorkeling at beautiful coral reefs on the southern coast. In the spirit of these great adventures, this last weekend my friend and I decided to try our luck with backpacking. Our destination: the remote high country of Volcano National Park. I spent a good week researching the area, the campsites and cabins, the procedures and the routes. I knew how far we would hike, how long it might take, the supplies needed and how to obtain the right permits and passes. I scrolled through countless images of the area and read other hiker’s stories from their trips. However, no matter how well you prepare for something, the execution can be a very differen...