The West Coast Trail

So over the Christmas break it was  my job (because I clearly don’t have one) was to check out the details of the west coast trail so I can knock it off my list summer 2011.

Over the past few months I’ve been reading blogs, watching videos, and researching things about the WCT and I’m extremely excited to actually get out there and just do it. I realize that my lack of experience backpacking might not be the best to set foot on one of the hardest hikes in the North America, but there is quite a bit of time until we venture into the rainforest. If I can train for a tri and a half marathon in one summer I can train for this! Suggestions are welcome on how to accomplish this. 

If you are reading this and are thinking maybe you would like to join (yes, we are looking for people to come with us!) then here is some information that I wrangled up. 

So here is the information on reservations for the west coast trail: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ6a/v.aspx. It doesn’t look like they give you much of a buffer so once we decide on a month we have to be pretty open.

The fees for backpacking in the park are here:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/visit/tarifs_fees_e.asp?park=21  ($152.00)

Here is the price of transportation to the trail head and I’m not really sure if there is an alternative unless someone is willing to risk their lives driving on the logging road!

 http://www.trailbus.com/Fares_wct.html ($145 for return)

Since I’ve just begun researching I’m not sure what trail head to start at though so if you have any ideas, have experienced the trail, etc. etc. throw them my way! Here is the info on the trail heads and then some other info on transportation, also a neat resource just for the 411 on the WCT:

 http://www.westcoasttrailbc.com/trail_guidebook_map.htm#plan

Ferry to the island ($13.75,  $27.50 return) if we wanted to bring a car over (91.50 return) plus there is a ferry as part of the WCT that is mandatory ($25.00)

Total without the cost of travel to Vancouver, food, and equipment:

Park Fees	$152.00
Transportation to and from trail heads	$145.00
Ferry transportation	$52.50
optional car ( would be divided among passengers)	$91.50
Sum without car	$349.50
Sum with car	$367.80

I’m looking into taking a few backpacking trips prior to the big 7 day one so I’m prepared and not a complete disaster (also might include a wilderness first aid course too!). We will all be prepared to embark on (yet another) experience of a lifetime!