West Coast Trail books and maps

The plan (if I ever actually get around to doing this) is to not get caught, but even in that unlikely event there's pretty easy ways out. For example, the park isn't closed during the winter, just the actual trail. All you'd need is a plausible story as to why you're out there that doesn't include hiking the WCT. Several come to mind.

Dan,

As much as I love to live on the razor edge of life, I'd rather not have to explain to my boss why the RCMP had to give me some stick time for hiking the WCT out of season :)

Sounds like a hoot though. Hit me up post retirement.

Gerry did it a few years ago in the winter. Bring your wet suit for Nitnat and watch the tides for exactly when they force the Nitnat to calm (i.e. virtually no current). Your window is maybe 5 minutes. Then swim. Fast.

Blisters & Bliss was my favorite reference book.
Also, the Parks staff provided us with a fairly useful plasticized trail map (four years ago).

September has fewer hikers, and is before the "extra-wet" season begins.

Rainfall averages 300 cm (120 in.) per year with heavy
rainfall possible at any time and frequently
in May and June. Floodwaters can delay
hikers for days. Fog is common, especially
in July and August. The average summer
temperature is 14° Celsius (57° F). Incidents
of hypothermia and physical injury increase
significantly during prolonged wet periods;

I was thinking packraft for Nitinat Narrows.

Dan,

I think that is quite reasonable. In the video, they use some bags for gear and wet suits. A Packraft sounds like more fun and would allow you to start / finish at the small dock. I don't think the folks in the video would have swam that far; likely just to the edge and then bushwacked (I think).

To add, you can use it to get across Gordon River / inlet (Port Renfrew side) as no 'ferries' will run offseason. It would be cheaper than commissioning a local to boat you over as well.

Thanks all. Read through the seventh edition of Blisters and Bliss and think I have a basic idea of how to approach this trail. The book pretty much answered my questions as to decide when to take an inland route and when to take the beach, tides permitting.

Things we've learned from you all and Blisters and Bliss book along the way.

No reservations needed starting September 16th. We'll probably take the ferry over on the 15th and knock out our Parks Canada briefing then and start the next morning.

Had considered taking the passenger only ferry from Seattle to Victoria, and then relying on the West Coast bus and other forms of mass transit to get there. Since we're hitting the trail later in the season, and some of the transportation services we'd rely on will apparently only run every other day then, figured we'll drive my truck over to keep things simple.

Going to hike south to north. All three of us are hiking UL, so with full food bags, our packs should still be under or just at 20lbs when we start off on what's reported to be a more rugged portion of the trail. We figured we'd tackle that section with fresh legs with the belief that if we get bogged down somewhere along the way, we can make up time later on as reportedly easier sections of the trail would lie ahead.

Still war gaming my shelter and sleep system. Have considered bringing a synthetic bag but I've had good luck with my Montbell ULSS#3 in wet, cold, and humid conditions. Something I'll ponder a bit longer. I've also had good success with flat tarps in similar conditions so leaning towards a 8×11 tarp for this trip.

Your timing sounds perfect, although I might book an extra day in there for contingency. No point in rushing given all of the potential side trips (which are detailed in B & B).

I too prefer South to North. The first 26KM are the slowest. If it is raining, the mud and root systems will limit you to about 1KM per hour. If it is dryer, you can probably get a pace of 2KM per hour. Not to mention that this is almost all inland route (unless you take Owen Point, tides permitting) so you are correct in taking it when you are 'freshest.' I am not sure if this section is the hardest but it is definitely the slowest.

I would wait until a day before the trip before deciding on down v.s. synthetic. I have used both on the trail without issue but even when it is relatively dry, it is extremely humid so everything does get wet.

Tarp is fine. The wind always drives in from the west so which way to pitch the tarp is almost always a given. Not to mention, with the large drift logs you can set up your tarp over them, creating a very large, dry area.

Have a great trip and perhaps we will circle the wagons during that time and say 'hi.'

Edit: Depending on the weather conditions, there can be excessive sand flies. They are very small and bite really hard and cooler temps do not seem to kill them. I would recommend some sort of headnet to sleep or even a bivy.

>> The plan (if I ever actually get around to doing this) is to not get caught <<

Getting caught by Parks Canada would be the best scenario… Getting caught on Reserve Land by the residents would be less desirable. As David mentioned, in the open season trespass has been negotiated and is included in your fee. In the off season… just don't get caught.

Book was purchased, plans were made, annual leave was approved, then life happened. I've been very much looking forward to this trip but my hiking partners and I had to cancel, each of us having separate life issues. Landing jelly side up, assuming I kick this stomach bug by next week, I'm about to embark on a hike I've been dreaming about for a couple years, starting next week and not too terribly far from home. Now to stop running to the bathroom a few times every hour… TMI I know 2016 will hopefully see me on the West Coast Trail.