West Coast Path – The 75km/48 mile loss of life hike – Dan Quach Weblog
Creator Word: This journey was taken in 2021, however up to date in 2023 with up to date particulars.
I’m probably not certain the place I get these loopy concepts, however a buddy and I booked the West Coast Trail. It’s this multi day through hike within the west coast of Vancouver Island, which is accessible by way of ferry. Sadly in 2020 the hike was canceled, however a buddy and I happily received within the lotto and booked some of the coveted begin occasions, July 2nd. July sometimes is best to go since you need as little precipitation as potential.
I’ve carried out numerous climbing, and funky journeys, however by no means thru-hiking. What this implies is you begin from one level and finish out and one other level. You carry all the things in your again together with your meals, tent, and provides.
To organize for the path, there just about have been two assets to learn. This e-book Blister’s and Bliss and the tremendous beneficial Facebook group.
From studying the group, all people advisable to both purchase dehydrated meals or make it your self. The reason is is you don’t need to carry actual meals for the potential of spoilage and extra weight.
I purchased the e-book from the backpacking chef, and determined to start out experimenting. Very first thing I purchased was a dehydrator.
There’s a fan on high of the dehydrator and also you set the temperature and time. It runs sometimes for a very long time, and takes about 8-20 hours to dehydrate sure meals. What you do is absolutely cook dinner no matter you will eat, let it cool a bit, then dehydrate it from 120-135 levels for a number of hours.
After a lot experimenting I efficiently dehydrated:
+ rice
+ beans
+ lentils
+ tofu (it’s important to freeze it first)
+ kale
+ ratatouille
+ thai curry paste
+ quinoa
I didn’t actually like dehydrating meat similar to rooster breast as a result of it type of tasted bizarre at finish of the day.
For the meals I’d pack one meal in a ziplock bag.
On the finish I made 7 meals consisting of
+ japanese curry – tofu, kale, beans, ratatouille combine, textured vegetable protein
+ thai curry – instantaneous rice noodles, thai curry paste, tofu, beans
+ lentils – inexperienced lentils, quinoa, salsa macha
For breakfast I packed oatmeal, for lunch tortillas, and PB&J, some parmesan crackers – bars. Whole weight – about 9-10 kilos.
Preparation #2: Packing
For the west coast path, you need to solely have a backpack which is about 20-30% of your physique weight. The lighter the higher. That meant for me about 30-40 kilos.
What lots of people do for thru-hiking is weigh each merchandise and put it in a web site referred to as lighter pack. It mainly is a flowery excel spreadsheet on-line.
https://lighterpack.com/r/sokgof
In the course of the pandemic, all sports activities gear in Vancouver was in brief provide. I spent uhh, numerous pennies upgrading all of my gear. I purchased an ultralight 1.2 lb tent within the states, purchased a brand new jacket, a brand new sleeping pad, and a gravity filter. I couldn’t discover the tent in Canada, so I purchased it from REI within the states, after which requested my dad and mom to ship it up.
Visualizing my gear one final time I put all the things in my bag for a ultimate weigh in and take a look at
Remaining weigh in was about 34 lbs. If I depend the variety of hours I spent dehydrating and packing and eager about the journey, I for certain spent not less than 40 hours planning.
One app which was unbelievable helpful was Avenza Maps. With this you’ll be able to see the place you’re relative to the path that Parks Canada supplies as a PDF. Nevertheless remember that the map just isn’t 100% up to date to the most recent routes so use Avenza Maps solely as a reference and cross-check the bodily map given.
Path Report Day 1: 75km —> 70km – 3.1 miles
AKA – The day I despise ginormous massive ladders
For the thru-hike there have been two choices, south to north or north to south. We opted to go south to north because it begins off tremendous troublesome, then slowly will get simpler. Logistically, we spent an evening in Victoria, after which received dropped off the trailhead in Port Renfrew. After a fast orientation we took a ferry throughout and this was the very first thing we noticed:
If there was something to wake you up, it’s a ladder two tales excessive. At this level I turned off my mind and went up actually slowly.
I didn’t understand it on the time, however this path was really fairly harmful, as a result of in case you fall or slip, penalties could possibly be fairly fail. In climbing, there are some attention-grabbing phrases similar to calling a path ‘technical’.
When hikers name one thing technical it refers back to the terrain being tougher the place you don’t merely stroll on a mud path. While you stroll, on extra technical terrain it could seek advice from scrambling on rocks, uneven path, roots, and many others.
For this portion of the path it wasn’t too technical, however relatively excessive in elevation. The climbing on this part took about 4.5 hours to get to the campsite.
On this hike, each campsite is by a seaside as a result of there are glacial soften from rivers which feed into oceans. That is necessary as a result of you should filter water at every web site if you end up carried out. Carrying gallons of water for 7 days could be inconceivable!
On the campsite there have been a mixture of individuals ending the path and beginning the path. It’s fairly typical in any actually large hike to inquire about path situations. We heard that many individuals bailed out on the hike half manner due to the warmth situations. I’m certain you heard in regards to the ‘warmth dome’ within the Pacific Northwest, and temperatures have been in Portland/Seattle/Vancouver from 100f and better! Mountain climbing in 100 diploma climate could be brutal.
After we ate dinner, one of many girls we have been speaking to got here again to me and requested if I used to be a physician. She requested if I had hydrogen peroxide and mentioned I seemed acquainted and requested if I labored on the BC Girls’s Hospital.
—— Apart
For some odd motive, individuals fairly typically have requested me fairly bizarre questions on my occupation. One time I used to be in Dallas Lovefield Airport flying on Southwest airways ready for my gate. Any person requested me if I used to be a pilot.
I used to be type of simply puzzled like, what makes me seem like a pilot? Simply type of bizarre what individuals assume of you.
One other time I used to be but once more on the airport (this was pre-covid life the place I used to journey twice a month), the place somebody requested if I used to be an athlete competing within the Olympics. As flattered as I used to be, that was once more a fairly bizarre assumption to make. I distinctly recall carrying sweat pants and having a Bose headset on me.
—— Finish Apart
Understanding I didn’t need to cramp up doing yoga stretches on the seaside was close to inconceivable, so I did it on the platform of the restroom.
I’m certain individuals have been questioning who that loopy individual was doing yoga at night time.
Sadly/happily I used to be getting robust 5G reception from T-mobile from Washington. Most individuals had the true probability to disconnect, however uhh.. I used to be checking my e-mails earlier than sleeping.
Path Report Day 2: 70 —> 58km – 7.4 miles
AKA – The day I despise rocks
You’d suppose sleeping by the seaside is stress-free, however actually that’s removed from the case. I didn’t sleep that nicely because the ocean was thundering in the midst of the night time. I lastly dug out my ear plugs and considerably slept okay
One of many issues which was actually stunning and I couldn’t seize in photographs was that mornings distinctive dawn. On the left the place you see that vibrant gentle is the solar. As time progressed due to the cloud formation all I’d see is an increasing line over the horizon.
Brushing your enamel additionally has some particular concerns. Meaning brushing and flossing close to the ocean and away out of your campsite since you don’t need any meals bits to be close to your tent to draw animals.
Once more, these have been a kind of occasions the place I simply shut off my mind, and prayed for security all the trek. This may be rated uber technical.
Afterward within the Fb group I examine somebody who slipped off a rock and fell and needed to be medivac’ed out. Wanting again it was a fairly dicey part.
We lastly reached a bit referred to as Owen Level, the place you can not cross until tides have been low sufficient.
Whereas my buddy was taking an image I witnessed somebody try to cross when the tide was not low sufficient and slipped off a rock. She happily was okay. After watching a number of individuals get harm, we determined to essentially await the tides to be secure and crossed.
After the boulder part there was a brilliant attention-grabbing coastal stroll for fairly a very long time. The waves actually formed the geography of the land in a novel manner.
Nevertheless strolling on coast cabinets had their very own issues. You would wish to pay attention to what was slippery and never.
Sure spots seemed like useless physique markings, however they have been simply salt which had dried up, maybe from earlier rocks moved?
Much like Galiano Island, once more so many attention-grabbing formations within the rocks
After the coastal half, we reached KM 66 and went inland. The surroundings modified again to forest
At one level, the path turned to be fairly muddy and as I used to be stepping off a slippery platform. I slipped proper off and fell 4 ft off the log and proper on my again. Fortuitously I landed proper on my backpack. I used to be fairly shaken up, extraordinarily scared, however Reward God had no accidents from that fall. Afterward, I checked and nothing broke in my backpack.
We stayed at a fairly small campsite for the night time.
Path Report Day 3: 58km —> 41km / 10 miles cullite to cribs
AKA – The day I despise uneven coastal climbing and realized I overlook stuff simply
Paranoia set in after falling off a log earlier. I mainly was watching practically each step I used to be taking.
We had a brilliant lengthy 10km stroll alongside the seaside. You’d suppose walks alongside the seaside are enjoyable, however nope. First off whenever you step, you sink into the sand. Second off, you’re type of strolling at a bizarre 45 diploma slope the place your left and proper legs are uneven.
—— Apart: the grand debate about footwear
When of the matters debated fairly closely within the climbing neighborhood is to put on path footwear or boots. For many of my hikes I’ve at all times worn path footwear. The professionals I’d say are:
+ Light-weight
+ Dry rapidly
+ You don’t develop blisters round your toes
I had at all times carried out climbing in extremely popular areas so I by no means had a problem with path footwear. EXCEPT on this path I received my footwear and socks moist. What occurred is that my footwear by no means dried due to the mistiness and humidity of the path inflicting 2 blisters on the underside of my ft.
Lots of people say that boots defend your ankles, however I’m of the view that having robust ankles protects your ankles. Meaning doing numerous lunges, steps, and lightweight weights to assist your ft.
I realized later from the Fb group that path shoe wearers ought to be bringing a mineral based mostly cream to placed on their ft when moist to keep away from blisters.
Let’s say on the finish of the day I’m nonetheless a path shoe fan, however now open to maybe waterproof type footwear. Nonetheless not satisfied about boots~
— Finish Apart
After limitless strolling, we went via tide swimming pools once more, and there have been fairly a couple of useless crabs, washed up kelp, and sea urchins. We even noticed some inexperienced sand which I’ve solely seen in Hawaii.
After a protracted slog we lastly arrived at a fairly good seaside campsite.
While you cook dinner within the again nation, it’s fairly totally different than common cooking. What you do is put your dehydrated meals in a tenting range, add water, and produce it to a boil. Consider it as a more healthy cup of noodles.
After dinner we chatted with a mother who was with 5 children (!). She talked about that her husband had a mind concussion 10 years in the past and couldn’t do any of those hikes. She actually favored speaking with us as a result of she needed some grownup time as all of her conversations have been primarily jokes with children.
I then proceeded to do my night time routine and realized I couldn’t discover my toothbrush. I began to panic and realized I couldn’t discover my toiletry bag. I had left it on the earlier campsite on the seaside *face palm*.
Additional extra, the repercussions could be larger as a result of I wouldn’t be capable to brush or floss for 4 days!
approached Cindy (the mother) as she was sitting down with different individuals. I publicly defined my debacle and Cindy gave me some toothpaste in a ziplock bag. I wanted to floss with braces, and one other girl had dental floss picks which have been BRACES FRIENDLY. The chances of getting this have been so small. I provided chocolate to them, however they only mentioned to pay it ahead.
The larger downside is I now had no toothbrush, however from speaking to some individuals, they mentioned that on the subsequent cease, I in all probability would be capable to choose up a toothbrush.
At late night time, I fell asleep to the refrain of frogs chirping. Really was fairly soothing after a traumatic day.
Path Report Day 4: 42km —> 33km cribs to nitinat narrows
— Warning: under talks about poop speak
One of many issues hikers and campers speak lots about is poop. You should contemplate how you’ll poop and the place. For this path, there are outhouses, so all it’s important to do is carry bathroom paper, hand sanitizer, and cleaning soap.
You will need to time your poop schedule since you need to go to the lavatory within the morning then within the night. As a result of if you should go #2 in the midst of the day, this can be very inconvenient as it’s important to dig a gap.
My routine just about is get up to poop, eat breakfast, then poop yet one more time earlier than heading out. Fortuitously all through the hike I’ve just about adhered to this routine.
One other big problem is peeing in the midst of the night time. If you find yourself heat within the tent, it’s important to change, stroll to the lavatory, then stroll again. Think about being at residence, and as an alternative of strolling to your rest room, it’s important to stroll to the constructing subsequent to you.
Many individuals attempt to alleviate this problem by doing a double pee. So peeing at night time, hanging across the restroom for 20 minutes, and peeing once more.
— Finish Poop Discuss
This morning it didn’t rain, however the seaside was EXTREMELY misty and all the things received moist. Meaning packing up was depressing. I used to be so out of it I thwacked myself within the eye with my tent pole, however happily all the things was wonderful.
We trekked inland and the path was extraordinarily overgrown and intensely muddy. After 5 hours of climbing we handed by this actually stunning lily area.
I knew the primary half of the journey could be brutal, so I booked a cabin midway. In the course of the hike you’ve got the chance to do one thing referred to as ‘consolation tenting’. There’s a place the place you may eat and order actual meals. Though it’s at exorbitant costs, each morsel was value it.
We lastly arrived at Nitanit Narrows which is an space run by first nations, the Nitinat tribe. The world consists of cabins for hire and a brilliant standard meals shack just about everybody eats at.
It was odd that I had solely been consuming dehydrated meals for two days, however I already was craving actual meals. I received the halibut and baked potato and it was GLORIOUS.
Afterwards we met Doug, one of many caretakers of the property. He confirmed us to our room and I used to be fairly pleasantly shocked. I had seen photos, however this manner really higher in individual.
After drying all of our stuff exterior, we sat within the patio space the place there was a bunch of 5. They have been heading north to south, and so they requested a couple of bunch of recommendations on the troublesome part.
Doug got here by to speak in regards to the land and his experiences right here. He talked about how his household escaped residential education as a result of his mother was white, however many have been taken away.
Residential education has occurred in america, however it’s a a fairly scorching button problem in Canada. In brief, there was a protracted historical past of first nations (within the US referred to as Indians or Native Individuals), being taken away from their households to be educated in authorities run colleges. In fact you may think about the trauma, and destruction of households about this.
We have been with 5 different guys within the afternoon speaking, and once we all have been speaking Doug requested if all of us needed to go choose up crabs from their crab traps in a ship!
All of us headed into the boat with the DOG, who amazingly loved the expertise and doubtless fairly used to it. Crab traps have been set-up with fish heads unfold out within the lake after which afterward they’re picked up.
There are laws the place crabs must be a sure measurement, or else they’re thrown again. This does make sense in a sustainability perspective.
Path Report Day 5: Nitanit Narrows 32 km to 23 km klanawa river.
AKA: Approaching simple city
—Apart Mountain climbing Debate #2 – poles or no poles
You’d be shocked however there are such a lot of debates within the climbing neighborhood. This debate is to carry climbing poles or not.
Mountain climbing poles to me are insurance coverage that in case you have a slip you’ve got the chance to catch your self together with your poles.
For gear, my opinion is to purchase greater high quality however dearer gear as a result of if it breaks on the path, you’re out for the remainder. I keep in mind shopping for cascade climbing poles from Costco, and it breaking in the midst of climbing of Peru. That actually was not a cool expertise.
My vote is that if the path is remotely technical – sure poles!
—Finish Apart
After a refreshing nights sleep, we headed out as soon as once more. There was some mud, some slippery boardwalks, and numerous strolling via twisted roots in a forest.
We did a short cease at Tsusiat Falls the place we each jumped into the lake. About 2 km later, we arrived at a campsite the place it was the one the 2 of us.
After organising camp, I explored the seaside space
Round close to the campsite I noticed mussel shells and a ton of logs all over the place. I keep in mind studying that through the winter, torrential storms are available and reshape the seaside panorama. Listed below are tons of logs that washed up within the seaside.
Path Report 6: 23km to 0km pachena bay
AKA: Let’s get out of right here!
The path began once more coastal with an limitless slog of seaside and tons of rocks and boulders. At this level I had developed two blisters from moist socks so I used to be cautious. We arrived on the final campsite earlier than the exit at 1pm, and determined simply to exit out of the park instantly. It was one other 4 lengthy hours, however then we exited!
The ending was tremendous uneventful. Like we may actually discover the car parking zone and there have been no acclaims of cheer or anybody to even meet.
On the finish of the day, lots of people have been asking me, was the hike pleasing or value it?
I’ve been eager about it lots. I believe my type of climbing is to hike to a brilliant attractive viewpoint and take photographs. The West Coast Path to me is extra of a hike of endurance as I’ve by no means carried out a thru-hike earlier than.
Life revelations?
As I advised some earlier than I often don’t have any life revelations throughout actually difficult hikes. I suppose that’s a very good signal?
As in most issues of life going open air is a component preparation, half coaching, half luck, and all prayer.
Addendum: Right here the recipes I used for my journey
Dehydrated Recipes:
- Black beans – 125F, 5 hours –
- Mayocoba beans – 125F, 5 hours
- Ratatouille – 135 – 18 hours – want to interrupt it up half manner, be certain all greens
- Quinoa – 135 – 5-8 hours, fruit roll up tray
- Lentils – 135 – 8 hour
OATMEAL
- 50 g
- 3g chia
- 6 g barley
- 10g blueberries
Japanese Curry (2x)
- 66g dried rice
- 4g kale
- 50g lentils
- 25g tofu
- 15g tvp
- 21g beans
- 8g ratatouille
- 1g spring onions
- 10g dried mushrooms
- 1/2 block block japanese curry block
- Furikake spice
Tumeric Curry
- 1 package deal rice noodles
- 2g curry packet
- 50g tofu
- 50g beans
- 5g coconut milk powder
- 10g tvp
- fish sauce
Inexperienced Lentils
- 100g lentils
- 50grams quinoa
- 20g greens
Addition - Salsa macha
- Raisins
- Olive Oil