West Coast Trail Gear Questions

My sister ordered the sleeping bags online for us, and I’m not entirely confident I’m going to like it. If I don’t I’ll just return it and get the Merlin as we’ll be in Vancouver (I’m coming from Chicago) for several days before the trip.

I picked up that Siltarp and a Platypus bladder on your recommendations, so thank you for that. My sister up in Vancouver is going to look into getting the poles from MEC so that should be a nice savings, as any hiking I’d do out where I am not would probably not require them.

I do have slightly suspect ankles from playing a lot of soccer so I think I will go with a higher ankled boot, and I’m leaning towards the lightest of the three Asolo’s (FSN 95) It feels more like a stiff shoe than a true boot, and I’m hoping that will be a decent compromise, as I was able to get them for $100.

I have a basic Iso butane/propane primus stove now, but we’re thinking of upgrading to something like the jetboil system. Any thoughts on that product? Is one stove enough for 4 people or would 2 be better (We are planning on a full 7 days on the trail)?

Foodwise, I’m a vegetarian, as are 3 of the 4 of us, so we’re looking to go with something like a kit from Packlite Foods. Any thoughts on their products?

Finally, I’m considering grabbing a pair of mountain biking gloves, as I’ve used them a lot in the past for general things and found them to work well. Are gloves a good idea on this trail?

Thanks again for all the insight.

The jetboil is really designed as a personal cook system. Depending on what you guys will be eating it really cant do to much more than heat water. I'm veg also and am really impressed with mary janes boil in a bag stuff. You can buy it in bulk with time permitting to save money and get enough for all your group. Its tasty and organic. One jetboil seems like it wouldn't be able to keep up with 4 hungry guys, unless you took turns eating and went through a lot of gas. For what its worth, a white gas stove like the msr dragonfly or whisperlite to name a few, and large 2l pot might be a better bet for group cooking for a week, thats 24 dinners + hot brekfasts + coffee/tea. Gloves are always a good thing.

Just a heads up on the MEC Merlin bag. My wife and I bought one for her about 2 weeks ago. We bought the -10 Merlin which in size small. It's listed on the website at 980g but in store the sign said it was 940g. That made it seem like a no brainer over the Western Mountaineering bag which was only slightly lighter (900g) and a lot more money. When I got it home it ended up weighing a surprising 1045g….that's 65-95g (2-3 oz) more than claimed….not cool. I might have returned it but we used it for a trip immediately after we left the store and I didn't weigh it until after this trip.

I'm starting to plan this JDF trip. Looks like it's going to be October 12th – 16th or so.

As per Mike's recommendations, I'm planning to spend nights (in this order) at:
1) Bear Beach (9kms)
2) Chin Beach (21kms)
3) Sombrio Beach (27kms)
4) Little Kuitshe (33kms)
5) Payzant (40kms)
6) My bed! (47kms + drive home)

I think this will be a pretty relaxing pace, which is what I'm going for since my wife it is along and we'll both be having a lot more fun if she's not struggling. I am a bit worried about day 2 because it's 11kms and rated the most difficult section of the trail, but I guess that'll have to do. It's only day 2, so we should be fresh still.

Is this pace too slow? 6 or 7kms a day doesn't seem like much but maybe the trail conditions really slow you down.

Regarding keeping warm, we both have Montbell Down Inner Parka's coming in the mail and thin fleece pants plus rain gear and baselayers of course. Will these parka's keep us warm in mid October? I'm not sure what the climate is like along the ocean at this time of year since I'm new to the West Coast. I guess I should check out some climate normals data.

How necessary are gators really? Am I a fool for not having them?

My base weight is about 11 lbs and my wife's is 8lbs (cuz I carry all the shared gear). On top of that there is going to be a lot of food weight (6 days x 2 people x 1.75 lbs/day = 21 lbs). I'll probably hit the trail with 30lbs and give her a few pounds of food and the fuel so she's around 13 lbs or so. It's all about making sure she's happy because if she's happy then we're all happy.

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Mike (or anyone),

How is the water supply along this trail? I imagine there are creeks/rivers with freshwater quite frequently along the trail? And do all campsites have a supply of fresh water?

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Thanks.

My plan is to start off with 1L of water each. Once we are below 1/2 litre each, we'll consolidate the water into one platyBottle and get fill the other PlatyBottle with new water, so it can start treating with the chlorine pills.

Is 1 litre each of water capacity too little? I have more platyBottles that I could take, but we aren't hiking that long or hard and since there is water at the campsites I don't see the need to load up with 2-3 litres each.

Are there fishing opportunities at any of the campsites? I'm thinking freshwater fishing, not out of the ocean since I don't have the license or knowledge for that. I'd love to bring my rod and catch a trout or something or dinner but I don't want to lug another pound along if there won't be ample opportunity to use it.

Dan,
I assume by "chlorine pills" you mean "chlorine dioxide". If not, it's something you should look into. There isn't any free chlorine, it's the oxygen component that does the work, and it wins the taste test hands down. MicroPur is one brand.

The stuff I got is called AquaTabs. I picked it up at MEC. Here's what their website says about it:

"Each AQUATABS® tablet contains a measured dose of Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate, commonly referred to as NaDCC. When added to water AQUATABS® dissolve to release a measured dose of hypochlorous acid (free available chlorine) that is universally recognized as a safe and effective water disinfectant."

Is this the same idea as MicroPur? Or will be these less effective? Or more foul tasting?

I've got another JDF question. How does one get back to their car upon completing the trail? I realize there is the West Coast Trail bus, but that doesn't run at this time of year. I'm current plan (or lack there of) is to leave my wife at botancial beach and hitch hike back to the start to get the car. Is this road busy enough to hitch on with decent odds?

Based on Mike's suggestion and due to how long it takes to get to the trailhead from my house (5-6 hrs thanks to the ferry), I've revised my itinerary:

Monday: Arrive ~3pm, hike 2 kms to Mystic Beach
Tuesday: 7kms to Bear Beach
Wednesday: Hike 11kms to Chin Beach
Thursday: Hike 6kms to Sombrio Beach
Friday: Hike 13 kms to Payzant
Saturday: Hike 7kms to exit

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Just one thing to make sure of before you get on the trail. When I was there last August I just happened to find a copy of the West Coast Trail Shuttle Bus time schedule at the Hosteling International Victoria youth hostel. There were also schedules posted on the signs along the trail, but the information was several years out of date.

Also, if you want a detailed map of the trail try to get a copy of the book "Giant Cedars, White Sands: Juan de Fuca Marine Trail Guidebook" by Donald C. Mills. It has the most detailed (but still rudimentary) map of the trail that I was able to find in Victoria. MEC and Robinson's Outdoor Sporting Goods Store, and the other hiking specific stores in town all didn't have any good maps of the trail. However, if you go to Ocean River Kayaks along the harbor, they had the book above and some very helpful and experienced staff members who took lots of time to give me firsthand advice for the trail (Well, the staff at MEC did, too).

Good luck!

I would like to get a copy of that guide book. In the past, I've found that guidebooks can enrich a hike because you notice stuff you wouldn't have appreciated otherwise. I'll keep an eye open for this book.

The WCT Bus doesn't run after September. I contacted them and they told me to hitch hike :)

Mike: How long is the walk to West Coast Rd?

Another option you might want to consider is to stop by the HI (Hosteling International) Victoria youth hostel on Yates street down by the harbor and ask them if they have any people with cars who are doing either the West Coast Trail or Juan de Fuca and see if there is anyone who is willing to share the ride. You could offer to pay for the gas. There are a lot of people in the youth hostel from around the world who come to the area specifically to do the walks, so your chances are high that you'll find someone. You could park cars on either end of the trail.

Try asking at the outdoor stores, too, like MEC, Ocean River, and Robinson's

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I am rather curious as to the situation concerning a "fee" if any, for foreigners using these B.C. trails. It seems to me that we could benefit from charging a fee for the use of our lands and thus obtain money which could fund better wildlife programmes, forestry concerns and assist we taxpayers with the SAR costs we are burdened with when some tourist gets lost or flattened in an avalanche.

I would consider a flat $100.00 CDN an appropriate charge per person for using B.C.s wilderness and the government should implement this forthwith, IMO.

Hey Kute – there is a fee for the West Coat Trail. Everyone pays it ($140) plus additional $$ for the park pass.

I think it's covered under a reciprocity agreement between our two governments.

We rescue lost blokes in Yellowstone and scrape them off the highways in Washington. And you do the same in your locale.

Edit: Well, thanks David. I guess we need to up the ante.

Ha ha, Dewey,

I've already had my say. You're not baiting me with this one.

WHAT!

Dewey is pulling our chain?

After posting less than an hour ago – "I would suggest, that you at least TRY to grow up and post something relevant to the issue."

Miguel, surely you jest…

Too early in the morning for me to see the 'baiting.'

On a side note, I have done the WCT 4 times and happily paid each time. One of the best things about the trek is the people you meet, many of whom are from other countries.

Once again we ALL pay the fees ;)

The weather is looking so-so for this trip currently. Weather network is calling for highs around 10 C (50F ?) and 2 days of rain mid trip with sun on the first and last two days.

I hope my tarp arrives in time for this trip. I've got an Oware Cattarp 2 coming which I hope to use in camp as a shelter for cooking, relaxing etc. With out relaxed schedule, should have a lot of time in camp and hopefully we don't have to spend a lot of that hiding in the tent.

It's looking like it's gonna be an awfully wet trip. They're calling for sun on Monday when we show up, but then rain for the next 4 days.

I personally kinda like the rain because it'll be such a great test for my gear and my backpacking skills in general (ie. can I start a fire? can I keep my down dry?) but I'm sure my wife doesn't feel the same way.

At least my Oware Cattarp 2 has shown up, so we won't be stuck in the tent the whole trip.

Unless the forecast changes significantly, I'm going to bring my Dri Ducks rain pants (instead of DWR coated hiking pants) and my heavier North Face Rain Jkt (12.7 oz) instead of my DriDucks jkt (7oz) because I'm going to be spending pretty much the whole trip it in.

Here's a gear list. It's heavier than I'd like, but it is a rainy, cold trip.

I've got my Golite Jam all packed up now. I'm thrilled with how well everything fit in there.

In addition to all my gear, I'm carrying the food for both of us for this 5 day trip and I'm not even using the extension collar. I'm also carrying all the shared gear like 2 person tent, stove, pots etc.

If I was going solo, this would be enough food for 9-10 days and I could probably pack 14 days worth by using the extension collar….not that I want this to get any heavier.

As it is now, my pack weighs 26.6 lbs without water. That's heavier than I'd like for a frameless pack but it will be dropping pretty fast since most of that is consumables.