June 30, 2016
West Coast Trail
The West Coast Trail, originally called the Dominion Lifesaving Trail, is a 75 km (47 mi) long backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of survivors of shipwrecks along the coast, part of the treacherous Graveyard of the Pacific. It is now part of 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 much more than a breathtakingly beautiful hike – it is the remnants of history that takes you through in the footsteps of the First People. It is also a challenging hiking trail, and requires careful preparation and planning. Here are some things you should know about the West Coast Trail:
- The trail is open May through September, is 75 km long and takes 5-7 days to hike. The terrain is uneven, and you must be prepared for slippery conditions on muddy trails, wooden surfaces, boulders and rocky shorelines.
- Summer of 2015 introduced Timber construction replacing the age old boardwalks.
- At various parts of the trails you will be wading through rivers, negotiating steep slopes, climbing ladders and using cable cars
- It is not unheard of for structures on the trail to be unexpectedly damaged by storms and other natural phenomenon. Likewise, the climate of this temperate rainforest can change quickly and dramatically. You must be prepared for unpredictable weather conditions and changes circumstances on the trail
- Accidents and injuries do happen on the West Coast Trail. If an accident should occur, it may take up to 24 hours for help to arrive.
Further Readings : http://www.westcoasttrailbc.com/trail_guidebook_map.htm
