The Past Before the Future

A Link to other previous trips

Ha!  I look MAD, Just a bit cold, inside I was smiling!

And also MORE trips

Another one

Getting set to walk along Hadrians Wall in Northern England in 2011

Last Impressions - Of the West Coast Trail of Vancouver Island

This trail is very weather dependent! If it rained hard or for a few days this would be a total mud hole! no questions! Walking sticks helped, and gaiters kept my boots clean and free of sand etc. Chez Monique's and the place at the Nitanat Narrows are both worth eating at, Monique has quite a story to tell. If you have time you should sit and listen. South to North is the key!! Get the hard part done first! The trip was in mid to late August and most rivers could be crossed on stepping stones etc. I did take the cable car across the Klanawa for the experience. The ladders are just fine, good and solid and predictable. All the roots and mess on the trail tended to provide you with many challenges, always stepping up and down and walking along logs.

End Of Trail

Got to the end, probably should have taken the beach for the last kilometer. There is a private campground at the end. It is fairly nice with showers etc. Stayed there the night and then caught the shuttle back to Victoria, it all worked really well!! Just a side note, as you are coming along the trail and cross a bridge near the end there is a sign that this is the last water and you should filter it. If you are headed to the campground, don't worry, there is plenty of piped water there. If you are expecting water at the WCT check-in shack.........then yes, there is none.

More Wrap Up

Getting from the Airport to the hotel should be smooth enough! The key is http://www.victoriaairportshuttle.com/ They have a kiosk in the airport and operate regularly. The cost will be about $19.00 CAD.

Places to shop

Found the outdoor shop http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp Also found a large supermarket Thrifty's! It is the Canadian National chain for groceries. The outdoor shop is open until 9pm weekdays and the supermarket is open until 11pm. MEC has a large selection of Freeze Dried stuff, essentially like an REI in the US

Stores in Victoria

Closer Again, going to check out MEC. MEC is an outdoor shop in Victoria, they stay open until 9pm during the week. http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp Also been looking for a Grocery Store and the Thrifty Food Store chain is great!! Thrifty's is very close to the Helms Inn. For a quick dinner, the SookJai on Fort is great!

Food? What is possible

Getting closer, trying to figure out what may be able to make it through customs...........just going to try to mix some of my own food up and see if they squawk. I have read other folks' posts and they have been fine with packaged backpacking food. I hope for the same. I am thinking of arranging with the shuttle company to buy some canned gas for the stove. A friend brought all his food in from the U.S. it was freeze dried stuff, all that customs did was x-ray it, and then he was on his way!

The Flight

Looks like flying to Seattle, then on to Victoria is going to be best. Same on the way home.

Lodging in Victoria

I will be staying at the Helms Inn, looks like it will do the trick. I hope to stay there both before and after the trip.

Camping at the Trailhead

Looks like the Pacheedaht First Nations Campsite is going to be the one. 250 647 0090 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              250 647 0090      end_of_the_skype_highlighting This was a very poor campground, but worked fine, It was about $13.00 CAD per tent........not really worth it, but it is the only one and is 100 meters from the WCT check in.

Gear List

I have started up a gear list. I will be adding things to this post as I put them together.

Tent - Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1
Boots - Kayland Vertigo
Gaiters - Mountain Hardware
Stove MSR - can use gas canisters or white gas
Trekking Poles - Black Diamond
Compass - Standard issue Sunto
Socks - Bridgedale Trekker
Backpack - Marmot (I will get the size)

I will correct spelling over time............doing some from memory

START CLOTHES:

• Hiking shoes
• Liner socks
• Wool socks
• Convertible pants
• Convertible shirt
• Sun hat
• Pocket knife
• Pack for van ride back
• Shirt
• Pants
• Socks
• Underwear
• Drink mix
• Brush
• Food (bars)

PACK:

• Pack
• Pack rain cover
• Extra compartments

NAVAGATION:

• Map
• Guidebooks
• Tidal charts
• Waterproof container for maps
• GPS
• Spare batteries (3 AA batteries)
• Watch

KITCHEN:

• Two 220-gram gas can
• Stove, Snowlight
• Waterproof matches
• Lighter
• Fry pan
• One .9 liter titanium pot
• Knife, fork, spoon
• Plate
• Cleaning scraper
• Trash bag (zip locks)
• Cleaning cloth

WATER:

• Katadyn filter
• UV water light
• Spare batteries for UV light
• 3 water containers
• Container for unfiltered water
• Alcohol wipes for filter

FOOD:

• Bear container.
• Rope to tie up food.

CAMP:

• Sleeping bag, 20 degree synthetic
• Sleeping pad
• Pillow
• Tent
• Ground cloth
• Flashlight
• Spare batteries (3 AAA batteries)

OUTER WEAR:

• Rain jacket
• Rain pants

• One warm jacket
• Hats
• Gloves, warm
• Gloves rain shells
• Gaiters

CLOTHING:

• 2 socks
• 2 sock liners
• Long underwear bottom
• Long underwear top
• 2 Underwear
• Convertible pants
• Convertible shirt

OTHER:

• Cash, bills and coins.
• Camera.
• Cell phone
• Protective cover for phone (water proof)
• Walking sticks

FIRST AID:

• Triangle bandage
• Splint
• 2 rolls tape
• 50 tabs Advil
• Hydrocortisone (anti itch)
• Poison Ivy (benzocane)
• Neosporin
• 2 Ace bandage
• Moleskin
• Polysporin for rash
• Band aids
• Space blanket
• Large bandaids
• Band aid wrap
• Gloves

REPAIR:

• SOG Utility tool (blade, pliers)
• Gerber Utility tool (scissors)
• Mattress repair
• Sewing repair
• Spare shoe laces

• Eye glass repair kit.

PERSONAL:

• Deodorant.
• Snore guard.
• Ant acid.
• Allergy medicine
• Ibuprofen.
• Alarm clock.
• Spare battery for alarm clock.
• Tooth brush.
• Tooth paste.
• Dental picks.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Hair pretties.
• Tissues.
• Meds.
• Bag Balm for hands
• Toilet paper
• Toilet shovel
• Sun lotion
• Bug spray
• Mosquito helmet
• Sun glass case.

• Sweat bandana’s.
• Soap

PAPER WORK:

• Permits
• Passport
• Projected temperature list.

Shuttle

I have arranged a shuttle to take folks to the trailhead at Gordon River and pick them up at the other end. I utilized www.trailbus.com seemed to be a reasonable price.

Reservation Details

This site got me started http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=559 and then I actually did the reservation online at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ6a/v.aspx It all went pretty smooth. Fees so far for two people have been CAD 308.33. I believe there are still some fees to pay for ferries and the like. There will also be shuttle fees to and from the south and north trail heads.

Getting Started - Planning for the West Coast Trail of Vancouver Island

Got the reservation for the trail, Summer 2010 is the start date from the Port Renfrew end. Now just understanding all the transportation logistics. Going to make me tired!