Backpacking on the Big Island

The annual boys backpacking trip was on the Big Island of Hawaii this year. My cousin, Jake, lives with his family in Hilo. And after years to putting it off, he finally agreed to host the boys. He planned a 22 mile, round trip, hike into the Waimanu Valley. They took off early Tuesday morning and hiked the 11 miles into the valley. It was a pretty difficult hike, with over a mile of elevation change, it took them all over six hours...but it sounds like the reward was worth it. They set up camp just steps away from the ocean.

Unlike the other backpacking trips, they stayed put for the entirety of trip. While they did day hike, body surf and had a "live off the land" competition. It also sounds like they gorged themselves on mangoes and guavas, had their fill of a whiskey and rum and enjoyed three whole days of female/kid free relaxation.

 

One of their day hikes included spending some time at Waihilau Falls, which is one of the longest single drop waterfalls in the United States. Rough life, huh?