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ultralight backpacking in paradise | hawai'i volcanoes national park

pepper steps | outdoors & adventure

211,372 views

join me on a solo backpacking adventure through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on the planet. i traverse the massive lava fields of mauna ulu and trek 8 miles along the rugged hawaiian coastline to reach a remote, oceanfront campsite. along the way, i share the stories of native plants, their survival secrets, and the deep connections they hold to the land.

come along for stunning ocean views, crystal-clear waters, and a glimpse into the unique ecosystems of hawai'i volcanoes national park!

in this video:
lava field crossings and coastal trekking
setting up camp at a secluded oceanfront site
hawai'i native plant survival tips and cultural significance
solo swimming in pristine Hawaiian waters

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(early access, behind the scenes, freebies, and just a downright silly goose time)

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★ 3-SEASON GEAR LIST: https://tinyurl.com/pepperstepsgear. (some items in this video are not included in this list- if you're curious about something specific please feel free to ask!)

★ WEBSITE: https://heypeppersteps.com/
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i’m a visitor to hawaiʻi. i deeply respect the land, its people, and the traditions that have cared for it long before me. my love for this place goes beyond its landscapes – it’s about the stories, survival knowledge, and cultural values woven into its ecosystems. if i’ve missed the mark or made a mistake, i welcome corrections from those with deeper roots and knowledge. mahalo!

thank you so much for being here you are so wicked and cool and also great!
happy steppin'!
-pepper

20 Comments

@mrzman1 1 year ago

A true nerd...but also casually jacked af.

@okamimaru09 1 year ago

Outdoor Boys may be done, but at least I have Pepper Steps to fill the void. I hope you had a great time exploring California, and looking forward to seeing all of the cool places you'll be visiting in Hawai'i!

@sturdymn 4 months ago

Has anyone ever seen you and LeanBeefPatty in the same room? 🧐

@iokua6366 1 year ago

So stoked that you're enjoying our islands. Cool fact, when we were kids our kupuna would teach us that the word A'a was actually an onomatopeia, in relation to the sound our ancestors would make when walking across the jagged rocks, hence "ah! ah!" = A'a. Hope you get to island hop to our other islands as each island holds his own beauty in the people and in the aina. Keep doing what you doing! Shoots

@IrishWristwatch0_0 1 year ago

Not sure if anyone else would be interested, but I think it’d be neat to see how you go about researching a place before you go. Obviously including what you need for the hike but also the history

@brittbwild 1 year ago

i adore the junior ranger hat actually 😭😭😭

@Underthehighwatermark 1 year ago

I've camped there. I mean, I've pitched my tent in that exact same spot. The first time I went it was absolutely packed! There were mules and a helicopter on the beach. Tents were everywhere. Turned out that the Hawks bill sea turtles were about to hatch so we stayed up all night and watched them crawl to the sea and swim away.

@Butter_Pecan_Panda 1 year ago

Love how you include cool information about whatever landscape you're in!

@Maxster197 1 year ago

The bandaid tattoo is such a good idea and I don't know how I never noticed it before

@davethinking 1 year ago

Quickly becoming one of my favorite outdoor adventure content creators!

@motherbird470 1 year ago

Insane power stance

@krustysurfer 2 weeks ago (edited)

Cheese on the beach and the best lounging pants🎯⭐🤙🏽Aloha

@ragoonsgg589 2 days ago

pepper knows what she's got 😂

@mpscolorist949 2 months ago (edited)

When I lived in Hawaii, the locals always said Aa (lava) is also the sound you make if you walk barefoot on it 😊

I hope you saw some Pele’s Hair on your travels - when I found some it was long strands up to 2’ long of fine golden volcanic glass.

@chris_1988 1 year ago

YouTube "randomly" reccomended this to me (maybe cause I'm subscribed to WildBeare and Eva zu Beck) and oh my gosh, you're such a fun person! I love your bubbly nature and obivously Hawaii's nature as well despite it being a lot less bubbly. Beautiful landscapes, beautiful presenter. I'd love to wake up in a place like this and have a terrible instant coffee which would taste like the most expensive cup of freshly ground beans you could buy right in Paris or wherever just cause the amazing view and sea breeze make everything taste 100 times better.

@DannyGeronimo510 3 months ago

She’s doing her thing I like her 👍🏼

@halsinden 2 months ago

might seem like an odd thing to comment with, but i'm just here to support / represent / adore how wonderful this is for the various alternative people who are SO down for this kind of content but not looking like we do!

@phillipesmith5401 1 year ago

2:27 you are tbe best type of person.

@Godzilla_NLZK 1 year ago

I think it's incredible how nature grows even after the lava has passed, Mother Nature is incredible and powerful, it's something that we humans have to respect.