This was 8 1/2 month old Calder's first backpacking/camping trip and he was a rockstar! It was an incredible, exciting and unforgettable experience. The cabins (built in the 1930's) pretty much need to be booked 3 months in advance because that's the furthest out they will let you reserve them and any open days are taken fast!
This is the website on the cabins you can reserve:
http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/wilderness-cabins.htm
This is where you can see what is available and make your reservation:
https://fhnp.org/wcr
Our first night was at the farthest cabin away: Poliku. It was a 10 mile hike in, difficult with heavy bags. We entered through the Sliding Sands trail. We stayed 2 nights at Poliku and then hiked 6 miles to the Holua cabin. It was the most beautiful hike that day. After one night at Holua, we hiked up and out the switchbacks: a 4 mile hike.
Backpacking With a Baby
Move slow at high elevation and watch them closely. Descend if you think there might be altitude sickness. I didn't feel as though I under or overpacked for Calder.
Here is a list of things I definitely wouldn't do without:
Emergency Medical Kit
Thermometer
Homeopathic Medicine Kit
Warm hats and clothes
Sun protection hats and clothes
Sunscreen
Water
Mini Lantern to stay on while they sleep
Ear plugs for your friends
I made a make shift moby out of one of my shirts to walk him to sleep sometimes
Obviously: diapers, wipes and rags
Earth Best organic squeeze purees worked great
Start the hike when it is the start of a nap time
Be prepared with hiking songs when little one wakes up
What NOT to bring:
A bunch of toys. Nature is the ultimate toy and more than enough to entertain.
Those are 19 pre-cracked eggs!
Start of the hike
Best seat in the house
The amazing Silver Sword plant
The crater of Haleakala is the only place they grow in the entire world
They bloom once in their lifetime and then die
First break after descending 3.6 miles. Lunch time!
The Fiske Family
6 miles to go
It is cold in the crater!
Sunset over Kaupo Gap
Yup.
I don't want to go to bed!
Playtime in the wood room
Calder's buddy Slater
Poliku (Cliff House) Cabin
Nene, endangered goose.
Heading to the next cabin
Moon
Cabin: Holua
It does not suck to camp with a chef
About to head up the switchbacks
Just finished the hike up and out and the entire trip.
Back to beach life: Daddy is surfing in the background
Hope you enjoyed! We definitely did! Big mahalo and aloha!
