Last month I hiked the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island BC. It was my first long backpacking trip (7 days) and it floored me in every possible way. Absolutely fabulous and treacherous too boot! The first 22 km are brutal. You're going up and down a mountain using root systems and ladders (too many ladders) as climbing aides. Trudging through countless pits of deep mud (poles are essential), and climbing up and over giant fallen trees. The boardwalks appear to be a dream to walk on, however they are slippery as hell. You have to cross ravines using pull carts and there is a sketchy suspension bridge you have to cross. It took us 4 days to hike that first 22 km. 2 and a half to hike the last 53 km. Oh, did I mention the 40 lb. packs we were each carrying. Now to the good part...all the campsites are on the beach and they are so beautiful and rare. The scenery was breathtaking. Part of the trail goes through a bonsai forest full of old growth trees. That was really amazing to see. If the tides are in your favour and you don't sleep in, you can enjoy some good beach walking at which point you get to see the sea lions and countless other sea creatures. Oh threres so much to tell. I'm very inspired by that trek and looking forward to doing it again next year.
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Challenging terrain to (hike,climb,canoe,etc.)...?
- Thread starter hailfeal
- Start date
Last month I hiked the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island BC. It was my first long backpacking trip (7 days) and it floored me in every possible way. Absolutely fabulous and treacherous too boot! The first 22 km are brutal. You're going up and down a mountain using root systems and ladders (too many ladders) as climbing aides. Trudging through countless pits of deep mud (poles are essential), and climbing up and over giant fallen trees. The boardwalks appear to be a dream to walk on, however they are slippery as hell. You have to cross ravines using pull carts and there is a sketchy suspension bridge you have to cross. It took us 4 days to hike that first 22 km. 2 and a half to hike the last 53 km. Oh, did I mention the 40 lb. packs we were each carrying. Now to the good part...all the campsites are on the beach and they are so beautiful and rare. The scenery was breathtaking. Part of the trail goes through a bonsai forest full of old growth trees. That was really amazing to see. If the tides are in your favour and you don't sleep in, you can enjoy some good beach walking at which point you get to see the sea lions and countless other sea creatures. Oh threres so much to tell. I'm very inspired by that trek and looking forward to doing it again next year.
Last month I hiked the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island BC. It was my first long backpacking trip (7 days) and it floored me in every possible way. Absolutely fabulous and treacherous too boot! The first 22 km are brutal. You're going up and down a mountain using root systems and ladders (too many ladders) as climbing aides. Trudging through countless pits of deep mud (poles are essential), and climbing up and over giant fallen trees. The boardwalks appear to be a dream to walk on, however they are slippery as hell. You have to cross ravines using pull carts and there is a sketchy suspension bridge you have to cross. It took us 4 days to hike that first 22 km. 2 and a half to hike the last 53 km. Oh, did I mention the 40 lb. packs we were each carrying. Now to the good part...all the campsites are on the beach and they are so beautiful and rare. The scenery was breathtaking. Part of the trail goes through a bonsai forest full of old growth trees. That was really amazing to see. If the tides are in your favour and you don't sleep in, you can enjoy some good beach walking at which point you get to see the sea lions and countless other sea creatures. Oh threres so much to tell. I'm very inspired by that trek and looking forward to doing it again next year.