You’ve heard about the isolation, mystery and breathtaking scenery. Some of your friends may even have done it. If you are an advanced hiker you may be finally ready to experience all the challenge and rewards of Vancouver Island’s West Coast Trail. Here are some tips to get you started.
This 75 km hike starts at Bamfield near Barkley Sound and runs south to Port Renfrew on Port San Juan Bay. The first thing you will need to begin your journey is a Trail Use permit. You can get this by contacting Hello B.C. Reservation Services. You will also have to register and be oriented at one of the WCT Registration Offices before you are issued a Trail Use Permit. The trail usually takes 6 to 8 days. Give yourself time to compensate for unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather or injury.
Expect the trail to be beautiful but damp. The average temperature is about 14 degrees Celsius. Even in the summer months it’s not uncommon to experience heavy fog in the morning. This can make trail conditions treacherous and slippery. It’s important to have supportive waterproof footwear.
Food: Campfires are only permitted on the beach, and cutting foliage for firewood is not allowed. Combine these conditions with the probability of a few damp days, and a small camping stove becomes an absolute essential for this trip.
Water: Canada may have the best water in the world, but out in the wild there is still the chance you may contract giardiasis, better known as beaver fever. Water treatments generally take at least 30 minutes to work and boiling water uses unnecessary fuel. That is why we recommend you bring a water filter. There are several models to choose from. The most flexible would be a hand pump model. If you are travelling in a group however, you may also want to backpack a gravity flow filter for doing large quantities of water while camped.
Shelter: Be sure to read the tide tables before you set out to prevent your campsite from being swamped by the incoming tide. If there is no other option, you may camp back in the forest. Know however that camping among the trees increases the rate of soil erosion on the trail. For a comfortable sleep, we highly recommend you bring a waterproof, double-walled, 3 season tent; the lighter the better.
Clothing: Because of the variable climate and conditions, be sure to dress in quick-dry non-cotton layers. Bring along light insulating layers and a waterproof breathable rain jacket. Be aware that hypothermia is a concern along the trail no matter what season you may hike in.
Pack it in, pack it out: Without consideration of this golden backpacking rule, the natural beauty of our rugged coast would quickly be depleted. To the same purpose be sure not to remove anything from the park. This method does however leave you with some weight concerns. It is important to carry only around 30% of your body weight. Travelling in groups of three or four may help you spread the weight of shared equipment around. Any more than four and you may find yourself shouldering more weight than you intended. For more informatin on how to pack your bag, click here.
If you have any questions or concerns about choosing the right gear for you, give us a call, or come by one of our stores! Not only are we backpackers too, we have an excellent selection of light-weight and durable equipment.
Wildlife: Be aware and be safe. It is not uncommon for hikers to encounter bears, raccoons, cougars and other types of wildlife on Vancouver Island. Generally these animals are not aggressive but it is very important for you to eliminate odours from your campsite.
Even items as inconspicuous as candy wrappers, deodorant sticks, gum, and toothpaste will attract animals. Whenever available, take advantage of the bear caches provided in designated camping spots along the trail. If there is no cache, keep your supplies safe by hanging them in a dry bag from a rope in a tree well away from your site. Bear bangers and bear spray are items you will want to carry with you on your adventure.
For more detailed information on the West Coast Trail and what you need to do to plan your trip, visit http://www.westcoasttrailbc.com/ .
Now go play outside.
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