[TR] West Coast Trail- South to North 8/13/2005

[wayne]

Climb: West Coast Trail-South to North

 

Date of Climb: 8/13/2005

 

Trip Report:

Chelsea and I have just finished a dream backpacking trip of ours in completeing the West Coast Trail on beautiful Vancouver Island. It is an adventure trail with an incredible history. It was installed to save survivors of hundreds of ship wrecks along the southwest island coast. as many as 700 people died along this stretch of rugged coastline, some after reaching the relative safety of the shore.Outrage at this carnage led to lighthouses,telegraph lines and eventually a 75 kilometer trail that evenually became a world famous adventure trek extaordinaire.Even with the installation of hundreds of long ladders, bridges, cable cars and boardwalks it still makes a trail so strenous it rivalls the toughest climber approach "trails" .An average of 150 people a year are evacuated in its current state.

We left Monday from Port Renfrew by small ferry boat to reach the start. I would call the effort a half -day as we held up at a nice beach called Thrasher Cove. It was a tough 10 k but it would set us up for long and brutal days to finish up by Friday. There were many "Mountaineer"type backpackers on route. Everyone was on their dream trip so the comradery was great. They only allow 8000 people a year on the trail, once we got ahead of the weekend starters though we had a lot of solitude.We then pushed our selves into several 20 k days enjoying a combination of forest and beaches and lazy recovery time on amazing beaches. Eventually we drug our tired asses into the North Station feeling like we did Ranier and then some in 4 - 24 hour days. We had a great time with each other,the people we met along the way, and with the wildlife we saw. Whales were abundant on the North end. It was great to fall asleep on the beach to the sound of their explosive breathing patterns.It was a relaxing week without the pre-climb anxiety I am used to on the trail.We will never forget it.

 

Gear Notes:

Not much-We were Backpacking!

 

Approach Notes:

The South end is tougher so you can get it out of the way while your legs are fresh, but if you went the other way you would have lighter packs.

[Norman_Clyde]

Here is a link that puts the West Coast Trail's origin in chilling historical context.

[JayB]

Sweet. Post some photos if you get a chance....

[wayne]

Thanks NC ,great link , I would love to read the book on the disaster,its pretty f-ed up how it went down. We saw a big pod of whales from the Valencia veiwpoint and the cliffs there were very unclimbable-looking.

The photos will suck cause it was foggy most the time. There is a great picture book out there bout it though

[Dirtyleaf]

I've always wanted to do a coastal hike on Vancouver Island. Do you have any pictures from your trip?

[chucK]

Sounds like a great trip.

 

Why would starting from the North lighten your packs?

[jmace]

cause when you got to the south you woulda ate most of your food.

[Ed_Seedhouse]

Just a warm up for the Nootka trail.

[wayne]

WHERES THAT AT?

[Ed_Seedhouse]

Google is your friend - a google search on "Nootka Trail" brings up bunches of hits.