I Hiked The West Coast Trail Alone

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With the girls in school taking exams, I travelled to beautiful British Columbia to hike The West Coast trail southbound. EPIC hike!
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The West Coast Trail, originally called the Dominion Lifesaving Trail, is a 75 km (47 mi) backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked survivors along the coast, part of the treacherous Graveyard of the Pacific. It is now part of the Pacific Rim National Park and is often rated by hiking guides as one of the world's top hiking trails.
The West Coast Trail is open from May 1 until September 30. It is accessible to hikers outside this period but Parks Canada does not guarantee the accessibility of services (such as search and rescue) in the offseason.
00:00 Intro
14:01 Day 2
28:34 Day 3
41:35 Day 4
53:45 Day 5
1:02:27 Howe's the Hike?

Опубликовано:

27 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 90

@TheWctman 2 года назад

Great vid. I did this trip solo in 2003, but only went so far as the Narrows. In those days, there was no out option at the Narrows but for 20 bucks, the boat guys took me out to the village, where I caught the bus the next day. I had advised parks Canada of my intention, and they approved provided I contact them to advise them that I was off the trail. I had nothing but sunshine and camped at Michigan, tscowis, and tsusiat for 2 nights. Overall, I've done 5 trips on this trail, over 32 nights, and not a drop of rain except for the last night on trip 2. Mostly blazing sunshine, where you wanted to stay off the beach and get in the shade. Always went 1st week August. For those considering this trail: if you're fit, do it, you'll never have any regrets. Fabulous, spectacular.

@HowestheHike Год назад

Fantastic! And you've been SUPER lucky with the weather. I had planned to go out the first week of open the year and saw the weather forecasts. Nope. Those brave souls had a crazy time. Hope to see you out there one day soon!

@Canada4Israel Год назад

You did a great job of showing life on the trail. I did it years ago and I want to do it again. Lost my Gators at the first stop. It was dry so I didn't notice they were gone till the next day. God bless

@HowestheHike Год назад

Thanks Gary! I might get back out there myself.... and we ALL lose things on the trail!

@yeshapatu 5 лет назад

Great source for those who want to do the WCT and also for who did them. I am preparing for next summer and have been reading books and Facebook blogs, but the video gives such a visual tour to help prepare and not be surprised with elements to come. Thanks for all your efforts! It will be a useful archive for a long time for many ! Anish, South Surrey

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Thank you SO much for these kind words. I glad it helped and am always happy to answer questions in the future!

@northernbeadle 5 лет назад

Just did this with my Father-in-law at the end of June..... phenomenal. Coming from Alberta and being used to the Rockies, this was such a departure from the norm and already have cravings to go back (which I plan to when both my boys are old enough!). We ended up doing a bunch of beach walks so this video was great to see some of the trail and waterfalls I missed. We had one afternoon of torrential rain which caused us to miss visiting The arch by Tsusiat but the tides were on our side for the trip and we were able to take in Owen's Point and the sea caves! Thanks for the great vid!

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Thanks! SO glad you hit the tides - lucky! I started hiking in the Rockies when I lived a few years in Edmonton as a young guy, and still feel like the mountains are "home" when hiking. No place like it. But yes, the WCT is a very special trail and not one to be done only once. It was about 25 years between hikes on it for me, far too long. So, thinking of returning this spring with the girls. But those ladders are a lot - as a Dad watching them do it - ahhhh! Your boys will love it.

@jobourque6137 5 лет назад

Thank you for posting such a great video! It will help us out a lot. You’re awesome!

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Thanks Jo! Hope you enjoy the trail as much as I did!!

@lisamitchell7070 3 года назад

Excellent video! Take the girls! Let them do tough things - they’ll become strong, independent, confident women!

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

Thanks! And EXACTLY!! They certainly have become just that!

@AuroraSummers 6 лет назад

Thanks for sharing your hike with us!

@HowestheHike 6 лет назад

Thank YOU for watching!!!

@fenna_pear1372 3 года назад

Great video! Thanks for sharing your experience!

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

Thanks for watching!

@deadskimountaineer 2 года назад

I just got my reservation for this summer, and I have to say this video is one of the best in my opinion with regards to what I am looking at. I’m going south-north solo in late May.

@HowestheHike 2 года назад

Thank you SO much! Enjoy the trail - it is incredible!!

@randyhermann1 4 года назад

Sorry for spamming your videos with comments. I just discovered your channel and am enjoying the videos. We did the North Coast Trail a few years ago and I swore I’d never do another coastal trail but watching this video has got me thinking about this trail.

@HowestheHike 4 года назад

randyhermann1 hey - not spam at all! And I love the WCT. Bet you would too!

@HowestheHike 4 года назад

randyhermann1 hey - not spam at all! And I love the WCT. Bet you would too!

@sandrataylor8313 5 лет назад

ty, been a while since I hiked the West Coast Trail (1969) and was great to see that stretch of the west coast again in all it's splendor and beauty. The upgrades will make it do able again, but, this time I will take my time. Lots of Love, Sandra Taylor

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Thank you Sandra. It is a gem. Hope to see you out there soon!

@montedumesnil7157 6 лет назад

Great video thanks for sharing.

@HowestheHike 6 лет назад

Thanks Monte!

@rroessing 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the great video!

@HowestheHike 3 месяца назад

My pleasure! thanks for watching!

@thathikingfamily6310 5 лет назад

That is a very random place for an abandoned dirt bike...... LOL My Mom just recently accepted that there are stairs in the mountains..... Now I have to tell her that we also need to be prepared for ladders! Absolutely gorgeous trail! I look forward to experiencing these types of trails in the future.

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

You'll love it!

@xoxXCutiepieXxox 4 года назад

Haha wow u make me laugh your coffee in the rain with ur thumbs up lol then bam the bear's where there the hole time lol happy she didn't come after you... the snail lol ur reaction is so funny! Amazing shots in this video! Thank you for sharing! Thanks for bein funny! 26:44 Drift wood unicorn with wings!!!! 😍😄😍😎 Haha I can't belive all the foodie spots u can stop for food lolol nice!!!

@HowestheHike 4 года назад

Yeah that was a pretty crazy morning especially for for my first morning on the trail. And there is that unicorn that I never even noticed when I was there. Awesome spotting that!1

@Seanyl72 5 лет назад

Looking to do this this year and this an excellent video. Would love it if you put together a video that covers the gear you use. Happy Hiking.

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Hi Sean - thanks so much! And that is a great idea. I might find time to do that!

@spatch1971 3 года назад

Great video thanks for filming and sharing it. I really enjoyed watching it. I booked a solo slot for this coming July, the 25th anniversary of my last (and only) completion of the WCT. I thought it a fitting way to commemorate both that anniversary as well as my 50th birthday in August. I only hope current intra-provincial COVID-19 travel restrictions are eased by then otherwise it’s a no go. 🙁

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

My pleasure. I LOVE the connection you are making with everything. I am the same way. Always nice to add a little extra meaning to something. I think you'll be fine by then to go - and hope you love it!

@spatch1971 3 года назад

@@HowestheHike Well I did it! These nearly 50 year old bones knocked off the West Coast Trail in style climbing down the ladder to the Gordon River trailhead at 10:45 a.m. PST this past Tuesday morning. I was tired, stunk to high heaven and my knees hurt like hell. But I did it! LOL 😄

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

Congratulations! What a sense of accomplishment you must have! Enjoy the feeling!!

@johncooper3171 5 лет назад

Great video got to do this Jc from uk.

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

John cooper thanks. You’d love it I’m sure! I’m heading back out there again next month with the girls. Can’t wait!

@thewoundedcrow7846 6 лет назад

Hey, Were the couple that chatted with u at camper bay, glad u made it out safe, nice video!!

@HowestheHike 6 лет назад

OMG - Hey! I enjoyed meeting you both SO much. I could have talked gear all evening, but didn't want to spoil your quiet evening - haha. When you go out again ((for your SIXTH??) let me know if you want company :) Hope you had a great one!!

@thewoundedcrow7846 6 лет назад

Sent you a pm

@bradslam2765 5 лет назад

Great video. It's nice to watch a video of nature without the background music everyone seems to add. I am planning on doing the trail this summer and was wondering what you thought of the Zpacks gaiters (besides them tearing). I'm debating about using them if I decide to use a calf-high gaiter or use Outdoor Research Flex II gaiters if I go with shorter ones. Also, what footwear did you use? I typically use non-waterproof trail runners for normal backpacking, but with all the mud on this trail, I'm not so sure. Thanks.

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Thanks Brad! We tried music on some of the earlier videos, but I prefer the sounds of nature... Other than the rip, the ZPacks gaiters did very well. I think a high calf is much better as there are some very deep muddy areas you may not be able to hop across. I saw some folks in runners/shorts/ankle gaiters and their legs were pretty dirty. I also opted to use boots due to the trails conditions in spots - Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX. These are the ones I've hiked in 95% of the time and they served me very well on the WCT too. Hope this helps!

@audencosta1224 6 лет назад

Such a great video! Are the trails well marked from beach to trail and back?

@HowestheHike 6 лет назад

Thanks! Hiking from north to south, the inland trail at Vancouver point was not marked at all. Otherwise - all very good. Also, the trail between Thrasher and Port Renfrew meanders too - could use some blazes. Hope this hopes!

@econartist5104 5 лет назад

Awesome video! Do you think you'll do the trail again?

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

I might! But two years in a row is enough for while!

@shannonkozak6718 6 лет назад

Awesome! What did you do for charging your camera on the trail?

@HowestheHike 6 лет назад

Shannon Kozak Thanks! I carry an Anker solar panel. Plus, two Anker10,000 batteries. Plenty of juice!

@heathermaciak951 5 лет назад

What a fantastic video- thank-you so much for putting it on youtube! I am doing the hike in July, with my daughter and granddaughter, who hiked it two years ago. I am 72, in good condition, and I'm currently training training training, partly because everything I see scares the heck out of me {:-/ I have a fear of heights, and I'm not crazy about falling, and I'm really worried about walking on logs across drops, so I've decided to start at Pacheena Bay and end my hike at Nitinat. The others will go on to complete the trail and then we'll pick them up at Port Renfrew. I'd like your thoughts about older hikers, and my plan~thanks!

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Hi Heather! Thanks so much for your comment! I have plans to return in June - this time with the girls. Can't wait. I like your plan! I mean, only you can know your abilities and truthfully, they have little if anything to do with age. The trees as a trail are sketchy when wet - that's for sure. I have a fear heights too - tingly feet - but that said, made it through the ladders with no problem. (I tend to get it when high up, looking over an edge...) I'm excited for you and say go for it!!!

@heathermaciak951 5 лет назад

Thanks, Stuart! I just reread my post and realized that the further I get into this, the more I want to do the whole thing, but it'll depend on how fit I am and how wet/slippery/muddy the trail is. You mention 'trees as a trail', and it's hard to tell from the video, but are there actually logs that span drops that you have to walk on? Without a net?!?! And are they at least planed so they are flat on top? I'm pretty sure I can do everything but that- maybe I could go across them sitting down?... Anyway, thanks for your reply here, and for posting on the FB site. With all the videos, articles, books and the Facebook page, my friends say I'm going to be the best-read hiker out there!

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Hi Heather. Preparation is half the fun! The only section I found really tough is the one from Campers to Gordon River. It was sunny for me mostly, so I can see this section being tougher when really wet. Yes, if you go to 56:20, you'll see an example of a tree as trail. There are others as well that do span a bit of a drop - and no net - haha.

@heathermaciak951 5 лет назад

@@HowestheHike Thanks, Stuart! I'll probably still just do the top half, but my granddaughter was telling me that the logs are sliced so they're flat on the top, and sometimes, they have cuts in them to make them less slippery. Do you know if there's a way to contact the outside world from Nitinat Narrows, in case I decide to do the whole thing, and I need to let my ride know not to come and pick me up? Also, do you know if there might be a boat for hire from Nitinat to Port Renfrew? It would be a pretty short boatride, and the logging road out of Nitinat is so rough!

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Hi Heather. The Nitinat folks do have radios - not sure about other forms of communication. We use a GPS communicator for this sort of thing, like the Garmin inReach, but it may be a bit $$ for just one use like this. Not sure about the boat. There used to be a couple options like that but they are not longer in service (as of last year). I suggest calling the trailhead directly though - they know this stuff.

@markfrench1410 4 года назад

Hey Stuart, If your daughters want to see whales, come to the east coast trail (www.eastcoasttrail.com) out here in Newfoundland, you can see them by the hundreds during the summer season......if the icebergs don’t block your view! Love your videos!

@HowestheHike 4 года назад

Thanks Mark! Yes, that's been on the radar a while. My Dad has spent lots of time over there and says the people are amazing - as is the scenery. Thanks for the reminder!!

@helmzoohiking3508 5 лет назад

What type of yellow gloves were you wearing in the rain? good for waterproof or warm or both?

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Those are Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves. I can't say they were 100% waterproof... And to be honest, it was not cold enough to really comment on warmths. However, that is what they are advertised as!

@HM-gk3rq 4 года назад

Had heard the recommended age was 12 but we met propels at Berg lake this summer who did it with their 6 and 8 year old children. Obviously you did decide to do it with your girls since I see there is a video on that one too.

@HowestheHike 4 года назад

I think 6 is the actual limit now - at least in printed materials. The girls are 17 now and at this point I'd take them anywhere.

@andrewcorry7562 3 года назад

Great video! I am doing this solo journey on August 12th. How did you keep your phone charged? I would like to use mine for some pictures and short vids. Thanks

@HowestheHike 2 года назад

I carry a 20000 mh battery and 2 panel solar charger. I will charge with solar if sunny and keep the battery in reserve. Has worked well to keep my phone and GoPro going over even longer trips!

@camillejupa7308 3 года назад

Hi! I'm planning to hike the wct in hammock this summer. Have you seen anyone do this already? Would you say that each campsites could be hammock friendly? Thanks!

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

I've not seen anyone use a hammock when I have been out, but I do know there have been discussions about it in the WCT FB Group. I'd suggest joining that group and asking about it. Hope this helps!

@mikedobell4964 4 года назад

What camera are you using. And settings.

@HowestheHike 4 года назад

GoPro Hero 7 - 4K 30fps. My backup is my iPhone, same settings!

@thomash7573 5 лет назад

Not sure if I missed it but what footwear did you use on this WCT hike?

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

I used my Salomon quest 4D 3 GTX boots. (with gaiters over top). These are my go-to boots. Light and very comfortable.

@thomash7573 5 лет назад

I also used the same boots when I did the WCT in 2015. They were quite good but really hot and I got a few blisters. I was thinking I would try trail runnners and gaiters if I did it again. Thanks for the great video!

@HowestheHike 5 лет назад

Thanks! They can be hot sometimes, yes. I had to go a half size larger too. I find injinji liner socks with toes all but eliminates blisters too.

@erikarichards2731 3 года назад

How did you manage the cable car at Klanawa solo? I've done it before but am going solo in May and wondering if you had to wait for help or if you managed it alone.

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

It was HARD. I did manage it alone by tying it up while I loaded it. I then tied it up again on the other side to unload. It can be done!!

@erikarichards2731 3 года назад

Thanks so much! That's what I thought I might try. You were able to untie it safely while sitting in the car?

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

Yes I was. It really wasn’t that difficult, but I had to think about what to do on the fly so it took a little bit of time. Maybe our chat will save you a little bit of that time ha ha!!

@Sapphiregriffin 6 лет назад

When did you hike?

@HowestheHike 6 лет назад

Started May 9th, 2018.

@gordon235 3 года назад

Love watching your videos, you seem like a really down to earth guy. If you ever are looking for a hiking partner to hike with on the west coast here feel free to dm me. Cheers

@HowestheHike 3 года назад

Sounds great! Thanks so much!!