We’re putting together a small crew to do a 4-night backcountry trek through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park—a committed, self-reliant route through hot exposed lava fields, remote coastline, primitive beach camps, and the kind of quiet you only get when you carry everything on your back. This is a group logistics pool: we’re coordinating the same essentials everyone would pay for anyway—so the plan is clean, the crew is aligned, and the big costs are handled upfront. Dates (September 2026) Thu, Sept 3 — Fly HNL → ITO / pick up van / permit check-in / hike into Halapē Nights of Thu, Sept 3 → Fri, Sept 4 — Halapē backcountry camp Sat, Sept 5 — Break camp / move from Halapē to Kaʻaha Night of Sat, Sept 5 — Kaʻaha backcountry camp Sun, Sept 6 — Kaʻaha coastline / final night in the backcountry Mon, Sept 7 — Hike out / return van / fly ITO → HNL Note: This is a fly-in / hike-in same day, hike-out / fly-out same day mission. No buffer day. Flights, van timing, permit pickup, and crew readiness all need to be dialed before departure. What this is A coordinated backpacking trip with a capped crew (12 total) where we: lock in one shared plan (dates, itinerary, expectations) coordinate inter-island flights and Hawaiʻi Island transportation coordinate the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park backcountry permit plan keep everyone aligned with readiness + packing standards move as one crew (not a scattered group of “maybe” plans) What’s included in the pool Roundtrip group flight coordinated as one itinerary (HNL ↔ ITO) Shared 12-passenger van transportation on Hawaiʻi Island (crew + gear) Permit/reservation coordination for the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park backcountry system Halapē + Kaʻaha itinerary planning Group prep + comms so nobody shows up undertrained or underpacked What’s not included Personal backpacking gear (pack, shelter, sleep system, layers, etc.) Personal food Water filter/treatment + personal water carry system Airline baggage fees or gear oversize fees Anything outside the mission itinerary (extra nights, rentals, upgrades) Personal incidentals (snacks in town, extra rides, etc.) Terrain + conditions This is a real backcountry trip—expect: long hot miles with full packs exposed lava fields, coastal trail, sun, wind, and heat limited shade and remote camps rocky, uneven, and potentially overgrown trail sections strict water planning and self-managed hydration a steady pace with a self-managed load-out (no one carrying your kit) Who this is for You’ll be a good fit if you: can hike long exposed miles with a loaded pack can manage your own gear, hydration, food, and pacing are comfortable camping in primitive backcountry conditions want a small, capable crew and a clean plan are here for the landscape—not the “tour” energy The point We’re simply pooling resources so the flight + transport + permits + timeline are dialed, readiness is non-negotiable, and the crew moves as one. If you’re in, you’re in for the whole mission: 4 nights backcountry, self-reliant, exposed, remote, and built for people who actually want to backpack.
