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and Goingoutside.com

Rob Collins Page About Hiking

I've been hiking for many years and I know lots of stuff.

You have to bring all the stuff on my little list below when you go backpacking.

LIGHTWEIGHT STOVE
If I could only bring one single item with me to the wilderness it would be a wood burning Trailstove. It is such a good stove, it's absolutely amazing. It weighs less than a pound and there's no fuel to carry.

FISH NET
In most states you're not legally allowed to fish with a net without a commercial fishing license, but in a life and death emergency who cares. With a fishing pole and a hook you could spend all day and still not get any fish. With a net you will catch fish within minutes, I guess that's why it's illegal.

CAMPING SAW
If you are planning to make a fire a camp saw is a great thing to have. Often times branches of wood that you find are too long and hard to break, a camp saw will spare you a lot of frustration.

POT
This is a very important item, you will need a pot to melt and heat water. Drinking hot water will warm up your whole body. I would recommend just getting a cheap mess kit and using the pot from it. You could just grab a pot from your kitchen but these tend to be relatively heavy which is OK in your kitchen but not in your backpack.

STEELWIRE
Steel wire is an excellent thing to bring. You never know what you're going to use it for but you always end up using it for something. This is specially true in a wilderness emergency.

FOLDING TOOL
A Swiss Army knife or something similar always comes very handy. I can't imagine going camping without one.

Making a fire

Gather some wood, a handful of very thin twigs and a couple of handfuls of finger thick sticks will be enough to get things started. You also need to gather a number of larger pieces of wood to keep the fire going for as long as you want to.

Make a ring with rocks on the ground or dig a pit for the fire.

Make a teepee shape with the sticks and twigs, the thinner pieces on the inside and the thicker on the outside, leave a space open on one side of the teepee.

Put some starter material such as some dry leaves into the side opening and ignite.

Once the teepee collapses into a random looking heap of fire you can start adding the bigger pieces.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution -- processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. The park encompasses diverse environments that range from sea level to the summit of the earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, offers scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors views of dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Over half of the park is designated wilderness and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been honored as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.

CONTACTS

Email - HAVO_Interpretation@nps.gov

Fax- 808.985.6004

Write to
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawai'i National Park, HI 96718-0052

Phone
Visitor Information - 808.985.6000
-

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day all year; Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily from 7:45 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.; Jaggar Museum is open daily from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Getting There
PLANE - Hilo and Kona airports are served by inter-island carriers, Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines. Some major airlines have direct flights to Kona from the continental U.S.

CAR - Located on Hawai'i, often called the "Big Island", Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is 96 miles from Kailua-Kona driving southeast on HWY11 (2 to 2 1/2 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2 1/2 hour drive). The park is 30 miles from Hilo (45 minute drive).

Vehicles may be rented at the Hilo and Kona airports. Most major car rental companies are represented at both airports.

BUS - For the current Hele On bus schedule, visit this webpage:

www.co.hawaii.hi.us

go to: What's New

select: Bus schedules

Weather & Climate
The park has distinct climate zones that vary according to elevation. Visitors should be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Weather at the summit of Kilauea (4,000' elevation) fluctuates daily and can be rainy and chilly any time of the year. The coastal plain at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often hot, dry, and windy. Bring rain gear, light sweaters or jackets, sturdy shoes, hats, water bottles, sun glasses and high UV factor sunscreen. For island weather forcasts, call (808) 961-5582.

Accessibility
The Kilauea Visitor Center, Jaggar Museum, Volcano House hotel, and Volcano Art Center are wheelchair accessible. Pullouts along Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road afford panoramic views of the park. For information on accessible pathways, other facilities and programs, inquire at the visitor center.

Getting Around
Explore the summit of Kilauea volcano via Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile loop road that encircles the summit caldera. On the drive, visitors will pass through a desert, cross the caldera floor, and enjoy the beauty of a tropical rainforest.

If you have three to four hours, visitors may also explore the East Rift and coastal area via Chain of Craters Road. This road descends 3,700 feet in 20 miles and ends where a 1995 lava flow crossed the road. Depending on changing volcanic activity, there may be opportunities for viewing active lava flows. No food or fuel is available along the Chain of Craters Road.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
PER CAR
$10.00 for 7 Days
$5.00-Pedestrian for 7 Days
$20.00 for Annual

CAMPING

1. Namakani Paio
Open All Year
Located off Highway 11, 31 1/2 miles out of Hilo at 4,000' elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and ohi'a trees. Camping is FREE - NO reservations needed. Stays are limited to 7 days in a month and not to exceed 30 days per year. This campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables,and barbecue pits. The large pavilion has picnic tables and a fire place (no firewood is available). Weather may be cool and damp year-round. Daytime temperature range: 60s to 70 degrees F. Nightime temperature range: high 30s to low 50 degrees F. We suggest that you have a tent with a good rainfly and bring warm clothing for the cool evenings.
For More Information on this campground please call (808) 985-6011

2. Kulanaokuaiki
Open All Year
Located at 2,700' elevation and about 5 miles down the Hilina Pali Road. Camping is FREE - NO reservations needed. Stays are limited to 7 days in a month and not to exceed 30 days per year. Kulanaokuaiki is a new campground with only 3 sites available for camping. 2 of these sites are wheelchair accessible. There are barbecue grills, a vault toilet, and picnic tables. There is NO WATER at this location.

LODGING

Volcano House
Open All Year
As Hawai'i's oldest continually operated hotel, with a history dating back to 1846, the Volcano House has for decades captured the hearts of local islanders and traveling visitors from all over the world with its own unique charm. The hotel is located within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park at the 4,000' elevation on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Volcano House is nestled on the crater rim of Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, offering a spectacular view and a timeless experience. Facilities include 42 rooms and 10 cabins. There are two gift shops, which carry a variety of items including souvenirs, books, videotapes, film, clothing, jewelry, and local arts and crafts. Other amenitiees include a bar and restaurant. Prices range from $40.00/day to $185.00/day. For more information: Visit our inDEPTH webpages and look under: Visitor Information. Call: (808) 967-7321 or email: volcanohouse@earthlink.net
For More Information on this lodging please call 808-967-7321

FACILITIES

Museums
THOMAS A. JAGGAR MUSEUM
Open All Year
Phone - (808) 985-6000
Location - Located along Crater Rim Drive, three miles from the park entrance, the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum offers earth science displays and features murals depicting Hawaiian culture. An adjacent overlook offers a panoramic view of Kilauea Caldera and Mauna Loa.

Visitor Centers
KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 7:30am to 5:00pm daily
Phone - (808) 985-6000
Location - Located just inside the park entrance, Kilauea Visitor Center offers visitor information and exhibits.
Special Programs - Films and videos, highlighting the park's special features and current eruption, are shown in the auditorium from 9:00am to 4:00pm daily. A schedule of Ranger-led walks/talks is posted on the Ranger Activities bulletin board in the visitor center at 9:00am each morning.

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

LIGHTWEIGHT STOVE	If I could only bring one single item with me to the wilderness it would be a wood burning Trailstove. It is such a good stove, it's absolutely amazing. It weighs less than a pound and there's no fuel to carry.
FISH NET	In most states you're not legally allowed to fish with a net without a commercial fishing license, but in a life and death emergency who cares. With a fishing pole and a hook you could spend all day and still not get any fish. With a net you will catch fish within minutes, I guess that's why it's illegal.
CAMPING SAW	If you are planning to make a fire a camp saw is a great thing to have. Often times branches of wood that you find are too long and hard to break, a camp saw will spare you a lot of frustration.
POT	This is a very important item, you will need a pot to melt and heat water. Drinking hot water will warm up your whole body. I would recommend just getting a cheap mess kit and using the pot from it. You could just grab a pot from your kitchen but these tend to be relatively heavy which is OK in your kitchen but not in your backpack.
STEELWIRE	Steel wire is an excellent thing to bring. You never know what you're going to use it for but you always end up using it for something. This is specially true in a wilderness emergency.
FOLDING TOOL	A Swiss Army knife or something similar always comes very handy. I can't imagine going camping without one.