West Coast Trail Gets Whacked By Winter Storms

January 18th, 2007

West Coast Trail Gets Whacked By Winter Storms

The West Coast Trail is one of Canada’s premier hiking trails. It’s a punishing five to seven-day trek through old-growth rain forests, and has become a world-class tourist attraction. When I worked at Tourism Victoria for a couple of summers in university, I advised dozens of well-meaning tourists (mostly Germans, as they seemed to love the outdoors) against trying to hike the trail. It’s really for experts only (consider, for example, these gross feet).

It’s an extraordinarily beautiful place, but the expertise requirement has kept me away. It’s on my list.

Apparently the crazy winter storms over the past few weeks have knocked out cable cars, washed out at least one bridge and brought down a ton of trees on the trail:

Spokeswoman Louanne Ralston told CBC News that crews have surveyed a 12-kilometre stretch of the trail, and found it littered with about 600 fallen trees.

She said that means there may be more than 3,000 trees blown down along the entire length of the 75-kilometre trail, adding that’s not all.

The article ends by saying “it’s not clear how much of the damage can be repaired before the trail’s annual opening on May 1.” I guess not, but it’ll take a Herculean effort to clear the trail before that date.

Comments: 10 Responses so far

Gar Fisher
January 19th, 2007
8:14 am

Darren,

You should go. Anyone can do it with a little preparation and good boots. It will be an experience you will never forget. But never, ever sleep near Carmanah point lighthouse on a foggy night!

-G

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alexis
January 19th, 2007
8:34 am

It is definitely worth doing. I’d train, and do the hard stuff first and get it done with. That way, when you’re exhausted, you’ll have the easy hike out to Bamfield.

(I did it with my dad and members of his ski club 9 years ago)

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Todd
January 19th, 2007
9:35 am

Second the idea that you should go. It’s challenging, but far from impossible.

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Metro
January 19th, 2007
9:40 am

I disagree with the expertise requirement. If you can erect a tent and manage to carry 30-45 pounds of gear for a week, you can hack the WCT.

I hope they never clear it. It’s like any other popular hike. The first few travellers struggle through and barely make it out alive.

Over the next few decades, there’s a civilising effect until we reach the present day when little old ladies stroll down it for lunch.

I recommend it to anyone, but go in late June or September and take your chances with the weather. Otherwise it’s full of bloody Germans. Also it’s expensive and you have to book hugely in advance these days, which is ludicrous if you consider that you’re booking to go for a long walk.

But it’s a well-travelled trail and since my first trip it’s been practically paved. It’s good safe practice for an actual wilderness hike.

One caveat: read a good guidebook and CARRY TIDE TABLES. I have met many people who had to turn back for not knowing a) what stretches of beach to avoid at high tide, b) when high tide happened and c) when the ferry runs.

But as a BC resident and outdoorsperson, I feel you’re obliged to walk the trail at least once.

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Darren
January 19th, 2007
4:14 pm

Agreed with the above. It’s at sea-level by definition and the trail is wide and well marked. If you are reasonably fit, you will not have a problem from a fitness level.

The challenge is more about preparation and equipment. When you’re on the trail, you’re pretty much cut off from the world, so you need to be capable of being self-sufficient for 6-8 days.

If you don’t want to do the whole thing, you can put in at Nitinat and do half the trail.

Hopefully the damage isn’t too bad, it’s a shame to see another BC landmark hurting.

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Colin Brumelle
January 22nd, 2007
8:02 pm

I hiked the west coast trail with my wife on our honeymoon! It was 7 days of perfect blue sky and warm weather. Even in late June, it was actually very quiet. Many nights it was just us, the waves and the stars. And the best part; out of cell phone range!

I think the fallen trees will just add to the challenge.

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Christine
February 8th, 2007
4:21 pm

I would really love to find out more about the damage on the west coast trail! i really want to go this fall, september i think! and i was super psyched until i found out about natures rath! so keep me posted! Also can someone recomend to me a good guide book to get! I really hope my trip still happens!

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Josh McCulloch
March 6th, 2007
8:25 am

Hi Darren,

My name is Josh McCulloch, and I’m a Victoria BC based Outdoor Photographer. I have taken on the project of documenting the Damage and Restoration of the West Coast Trail, and am the only photographer working with Parks Canada on this project. I have a blog going that will be updated on a regular basis, and some of my images of the damage can be viewed on my website! I also have a large number of images of the trail that will hopefully inspire all of your visitors! Hope this helps.

Cheers, Josh

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Dan
March 14th, 2007
3:30 pm

Darren - Great summary of the trail devastation wreaked by the storms this Winter. It is truly unfortunate, but mother nature has plans that can’t be thwarted.

Christine - I’ve hiked the trail twice, both times in late August, once in 2002 and once in 2006. In 2002 it rained on us continuously, forcing us to hike on the trail in mud that at certain points was nearly thigh deep (we had to ford around that stuff otherwise you just got stuck). To say it was tough and challenging is an understatement. In 2006, there wasn’t a drop of rain and it was dry as a bone, making the trek breeze by in no time.

Each experience was uniquely different than the other except for a few commonalities: beautiful scenery, neat wildlife, interesting trekkers from all over the world and lifelong memories.

I would recommend Blisters & Bliss as the guidebook to read beforehand. I’ve read it a few times and always get something from it. We actually passed the authors in one campground when they were being fawned over by adoring acolytes eager to share their own experiences on the trail, probably hoping to make into the next edition of the guidebook. It was neat to see the authors get the recognition they deserve for making the trail more accessible to the general public.

My best piece of advice to you is to go as light as possible with your gear and pack, within reason, and obviously the appropriate selection given the conditions. You’ll really enjoy the journey so much more when you’re not dead tired every day.

Take life one step at a time on the WCT! Good luck.

Dan

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