A Photo Diary of our Adventure Hiking the West Coast Trail of the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island
July 4-12, 2016
“The West Coast Trail (WCT) is one of the most gruelling treks in North America. [It is rated one of the top 10 hikes in the world]. It is isolated, strenuous, physically challenging, and potentially hazardous. It is also extremely rewarding due to the spectacular scenery and unique setting.
Hiking the WCT demands stamina and expertise in hiking and backcountry camping skills. Only competent backpackers should attempt the entire route. You are required to cross deep gullies on fallen trees, negotiate very steep slopes and follow an irregular, slippery trail, [and wade through mud up to your knees, plus bogs.] This is a wilderness area and it may be many hours before help can be obtained should an accident occur.” — http://www.westcosttrailbc.com
Okay, most of us trained for a year. None of us had ever carried a pack that heavy (38 – 52 lbs, respectively). We were all amateurs. What the hell… you only live once. The Sole Sistas hit the trail with Sea to Sky Expeditions.
The Stats:
8 hikers, average age 52; 76 km; 2 guides; 70 slippery ladders; 4 hand-pulled cable cars; 100 bridges; 1,000,000 lbs of mud; 12 teaspoons of tears; 1 wipe-out; 1 bout of flu; one possible evacuation; endless laughter
The Sole Sistas:
- We weigh our bags in at Butch’s ferry. The winner is Colleen with 48 lbs. Mine weighs 46 lbs. It doesn’t sound like a lot but try carrying it on day 4, climbing 300 ft of a continuous, slimy ladder on a cliff wall, in the rain! Your quads are screaming.
Day 2: Thrasher Cover to Camper Bay, 8 km, 10 hrs, Sunny… just like our mood
Janis rocks out with giant kelp
Breathtaking vistas
Night 3: I wake at 3:23 am to find Juli and I are floating, on our thermarests, in one foot of water in our tent! Walburn Creek has risen overnight, due to the constant heavy rain and the surging ocean tides. All our gear is floating in the river. We scramble to strike our tent and move to higher ground. My underwear/bra bag has disappeared. Juli falls out of the fly and into the water, soaking herself. All our gear is drenched. We set up our tent and struggle to get a few hours sleep. Plus, the campsite is full of mice and our bowls and cups are full of poop. Good times!
- Day 4: Walburn Creek to Chez Monique, 7 km, 7 hrs, Scattered Showers and Fog. A morning pic as we huddle under the tarp and gobble breakfast.
- Beth explains how we’re going to wade in the raging Walburn Creek, as a group of tightly locked 10 hikers holding to each other, and slowly make our way across. We try, and fail. Back to the muddy trail we go with soaking boots. It is the right choice as the river is hazardously rough.
- My favourite pic of the whole trip: the team crossing a tidal surge. It really captures of the ruggedness and raw beauty of the trail.
- Pebbles, who belongs to Carl’s family at Nitinat Narrows, travels with us for a day.
Day 5: We dine and sleep at Chez Monique’s. You would think we had hit the Four Seasons. International students called Wolfies cook us a gourmet dinner and breakfast under the watchful eye of organic farmer and host Monique and her son, Dan. Her husband, Peter, drives his boat 2-5 hours each way to Port Renfrew to get groceries daily. A new food supply arrives and Beth and Tessa divide it up. Juli and I sleep in the greenhouse with them to try to dry our clothes. It is so smokey, though, that I fear we’ll die in our sleep from C02 poisoning. Ah well, it was a good try and nice to have warm food in our bellies.
Day 5: Monique’s to Nitinat Narrows, 14 km, 9 hrs, Cloudy with Rain showers
With each surge, Leon would ram the boat up to the high, mussel-covered reef, and we’d have to jump out, one by one, to shore. They threw up the packs and poles afterwards.
Louise has applied to be a Sea to Sky Expeditions guide 12 times and been denied. Why?
We had to leave this stranded seal pup, hoping his mother would rescue him.
Banana slugs on the path
Beach walk and the famous hole in the wall
Typical mud up to your knees
Pyramid Time at Tsusiat Falls: Pat, Janis and me
Day 7: Tsusiat Falls to Michigan Creek, 13 km, An Eternity, Rain, Rain, Rain
Day 8: Michigan Creek to Pachena Bay, 12 km, 5 hrs, Cloudy with Rain
2 flippin’ km to go. If you’re hiking south to north, the last 25 km are long, mud-filled and not as interesting.
We did it!
TREDSUP 