How many days does it take to hike the West Coast Trail?
between 6 and 8 days
Hiking the West Coast Trail is difficult, even for experienced hikers.” Most people will spend between 6 and 8 days in the backcountry, when travelling from end-to-end. There’s also a mid-way entry point at Nitinaht Village, which can shorten your journey by a few days.
Can you hike the West Coast Trail alone?
Getting Started on the West Coast Trail I went up a few and down a few. Some sections had a few shorter ladders in rapid succession. Others had one or two much longer ones. I was really happy to be travelling solo and with an ultralight pack as I went through the ladder sections.
Can you do a day hike on the West Coast Trail?
In general, to hike the WCT you will need to be able to walk about 12km a day or more on uneven and difficult terrain while carrying 30-40lbs in your backpack. You will need to make sure you are prepared with the right gear to keep you warm and dry.
How heavy should my pack be for the West Coast Trail?
between 25 and 40 pounds
In general, Parks Canada recommends that you pack weight 15-20% of your body weight. In practice, that means your pack should weigh somewhere between 25 and 40 pounds. However, it’s really easy to accidentally carry more. On my 2019 West Coast Trail trip my friends and I’s packs weighed between 35 and 60 pounds.
Where do you poop on West Coast Trail?
You can find toilets on the West Coast Trail at every campsite except Orange Juice Creek. There are also toilets at the Pachena Bay trailhead, Gordon River Parks Canada Office, Ditidaht luxury tents and Nitinaht Narrows. There are no public toilets at the Carmanah and Pachena lighthouses.
Are there bears on the West Coast Trail?
It rains — a lot — on the West Coast Trail, and if hikers don’t take care to keep their clothes and sleeping bag dry, or if they get stranded in bad weather by high tide, they’re in for a world of brrrrr. There’s also the occasional run-in with bears, wolves and cougars: 40 or so each year on the trail, on average.
Can you camp anywhere on the West Coast Trail?
You are allowed to camp anywhere you like on the West Coast Trail. You don’t have to camp in an official campground. The only exception is that no camping is allowed between KM 34 and KM 38 due to high wildlife activity.
How do you physically prepare for the West Coast Trail?
Preparing for the West Coast Trail
- Pack smart. Try to limit your total pack weight to 30% of your body weight or less.
- Break in your gear. Although your hiking shoes should be comfortable right out of the box, it is imperative to wear them in.
- Practice hikes.
- Core and leg strengthening.
How much water should I bring on the West Coast Trail?
There are many water sources along the way and carrying one water bottle per person should be sufficient. Every camp on the west coast trail had a river or at least little creek with running water close to the camping area.
How many ladders Does the West Coast Trail have?
70 ladders
The West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island is a spectacular 75km backpacking route along potentially hazardous terrain. It’s a wild trail that takes 5–7 days to hike and has nearly 70 ladders, 130 bridges and four cable cars.
How can I stop pooping while hiking?
The Wag Bag Technique: A Wag Bag is a special type of toileting bag used to poo in, store and transport your poo. It’s like a big garbage bag inside a small strong non-see-through zip-lock bag. You simply find a private spot, poop into the big bag, roll it up and pop it into the zip-lock and carry out.
Are there outhouses on the West Coast Trail?
There are thirteen designated West Coast Trail campgrounds. All but one have outhouses and food storage facilities. Technically, you can camp almost anywhere on the West Coast Trail.
Is the West Coast Trail well marked?
We found that the campsites were well marked with buoys, and there were distance markers along the forest trail, so it was easy to keep track of where we were.
Which is harder Juan de Fuca or West Coast Trail?
Though Juan de Fuca is always referred to as “easier than the West Coast Trail“, don’t be complacent. Footing can be treacherous. Bear Beach to Chin beach can be as challenging as anything on the WCT.