West Coast Trail: 10 Tips for Enjoying a World Class Hike

Although I have hiked the west coast trail over 40 times as a guide over the years, I never tire of the wild and great beaches together with the lush rain forest. However, in order to get the most out of your hike it's very important to prepare. These 10 tips will help you get the most out of your hiking experience.

1. The West Coast Trail is a world-class hike that delivers much but demands even more. Taking on 77 km of slick shelf, gravel beaches, muddy and slick rain forest, manmade ladders and bridges, coastal storms, potentially long hiking days, while carrying a pack of 40 pounds or more, requires that hikers get ready physically before starting the trail. You should integrate a regimen of exercises that build vigor in the legs and shoulders, with institution hikes with your loaded backpack nearby your neighbourhood. If you contain a hill or steps while this institution hiking, your body will thank you when you easily begin your West Coast Trail hike.

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2. Two hiking poles are recommended. Good capability telescopic poles will add equilibrium while negotiating roots, mud puddles, and other obstacles in the rain forest. They also contribute momentum, assistance, and shock absorption while hiking on loose sand and gravel rock beaches.

3. Length and time are very misleading on the West Coast Trail. Traveling straight through the rain forest, with its plethora of obstacles, especially while rainy periods, will slow you down dramatically. This is certainly true with the section of trail from the Gordon River trailhead to Walbran Creek. It may take you the better part of a hiking day to cover 6 km. When I lead groups, it will not be until midday on the 4th day that we will reach Walbran Creek.

4. And, speaking of groups: the more hikers in your party the slower your pace. When determining the whole of days you will set aside for your hike, think the anticipated pace of your slowest hiker and set your program accordingly.

5. Most hikers will complete the trail in 7 days. I all the time suggest giving yourself one more day than you planned for. This extra day will give you the option of adjusting your program to list for very bad weather, injury, or a slower pace than expected. If you find your pace to be faster, or on schedule, use the extra day as a layover on one of the breathtaking beaches.

6. Should I go north-south or south-north? every person who has done the West Coast Trail has an concept on this one. Those who advocate the south-north option point to benefit of getting the more difficult hiking days over early in the hike. The north-south group feel that by eating down your food supply, it will easier to grapple with the harder sections. Our firm does it south-north as over 95% of our clients were happy to get past the harder sections early in the hike.

7. The West Coast Trail is part of the government's Pacific Rim National Park. The Park has exquisite material and the legal trail map on the government's website is there to help you supplementary with your planning.

8. Coordinate your visit with tide levels. There are headlands that require inescapable tide levels in order to get nearby them. The legal trail map will indicate at what tide level a headland is passable. It is much easier to hike the beach and shelf, so coordinating your hike to meet the best inherent tide conditions, will help you avoid the slower inland route nearby these headlands. You can procure tide levels by visiting the Fisheries and Oceans Canada tide level website for Bamfield.

9. Having the right tool and clothing is vital for an enjoyable hike. Hiking boots that are uncomfortable, for example, can cause blisters and turn what should be an enjoyable time in the wilderness into a hike you can't wait to close because of pain. For tool information, be sure to do your explore and be sure to buy tool from a store specializing in outdoor equipment.

10. Sections of the West Coast Trail cross sustain land belonging to the Dididaht First Nations. Unique to one such piece of land near Carmanah Point is the summer home of Monique and her husband Peter, a former chief of the Dididaht First Nations. They have created an oasis of information, assistance, and anticipated burgers for anything who chooses to stop by to visit.

West Coast Trail: 10 Tips for Enjoying a World Class Hike

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