Looking for Microplastics in the Big Island Backcountry

Heading upstream in the Waimanu Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. Photo by Plastic Tides

From Christian Shaw of Plastic Tides:
We hiked into a remote valley on the Muliwai Trail, known as the toughest hike in all of Hawaii. Over the course of 3 days we hiked a total of 22 miles and 15,800 vertical feet carrying 60lb packs, as well as the inflatable SUP we used to paddle up river. We foraged for about half of our food, eating mostly green papaya and wild breadfruit cooked in saltwater.

See more from their epic trip in the photos below:

Waimanu Stream in the heart of the valley. Photo: Plastic Tides

Paddling deeper into the Waimanu Valley to collect microplastic samples. Photo: Plastic Tides

Céline Jennison carves up some wild foraged papaya. Photo: Plastic Tides

Christian Shaw gathering a sample from the Waimanu stream. Photo by Plastic Tides

Learn more about the Global Microplastics Initiative and other ASC projects on our website, the Field Notes blog, and our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+ pages.
​Stay up to date on all of Plastic Tides' incredible work by following them on Facebook.