West Coast Trail 2005  

Trip Report - May 9 to 15, 2005

Trip Report - Part 2

Photo Galleries & Links

I recently returned from a lovely week long stroll along the West Coast Trail. I was accompanied by Hodgeman and three of his backpacking friends from the U.S. Hodge, being a WCT veteran, was the very efficient trip planner and organizer. Because our government doesn't always do a very good job with Canada-U.S. relations, I think Hodge was motivated to do his small part by bringing together a small group of Canadians & Americans. It sounded like a good plan to me and I'm always up for a new adventure, so I decided to join in on the fun.

This would be my first WCT trip so I researched all the material that I could get my hands on. I read the trip report from Hodge's May 2004 WCT trek and when I closer examined one of TrailBum's photos of one of the many ladders on the trail, I felt the blood drain from my face. (Have I mentioned that I have, what can best be described as, a paralyzing fear of heights?) I thought it prudent to perhaps rethink taking part in this trip and decided to consult with local friends who had been there before me. Everyone insisted that the ladders were not all that bad and after listening to their encouragements and further explanations of the trail and the obstacles, I made the final decision to not back out. The ladders would be my own personal challenge for 2005. Come what may.... I was going to be with the team for WCT May 2005!!

After a few months of planning and many emails circulating back and forth, the plan all comes together and our group meets in the wee early morning hours of May 9 in Port Coquitlam. We have a reservation for the 7:00 am ferry from Tsawwassen to Schwartz Bay so I need to be on the ball! I wake up bright and early Monday morning at 3:00 a.m. so I would not be late to meet Hodge and the American party in Port Coquitlam. I arrive on time, we make our introductions, and set off for Tsawwassen. Hodge had made a reservation for us on the 7 am ferry and we make it with, would you believe, two minutes to spare before our reservation is released. Good for us as the ferry is otherwise full!!

We enjoy the leisurely ferry ride to 'the island' and after making our way over to Port Renfrew, and listening intently to the orientation, we are ready to hit the trail after another short ferry ride, Port Renfrew style!! We are in high spirits (if not a little giddy) as we begin our journey. Before we know it, however, bad luck would strike our team. LadyHiker's camera decides to not cooperate and is decidedly broken. Then, unbelievably, Naviguesser's trusty hiking boots blow out early on in our trek in to Thrasher. After assessing his situation and examining the traitorous boots, Navi makes the decision to change into his Teva sandals.

We continue on, and look what we find just hanging in the tree!! Hmmm, running shoes . . maybe they are Navi's size?? Hodge does his best to see if he can coax the shoes down. However, even if they could be speared out of the tree, rescuing them from the ground on what was a very steep descent seemed a bit too risky. It was a good thought anyway!

Our few complications lengthen the expected time of our trek into Thrasher to 7:30 pm. We set up camp and I am just thankful that I packed in leftover pizza for my first supper . . no cooking tonight!! Hodge, LadyHiker & JVZ set up their tents in the trees behind the ocean sands. Naviguesser and I set up camp on the beach but at the highest possible location. Seems the tide came up pretty high tonight and came close to wetting our tents. Not quite, but Navi (valiant, stalwart outdoorsman that he is, is out in the wee hours of the morning making sure that we don't get swamped!!)

We continue on our way and are pleased to hike along the ocean, but the large barnacle encrusted boulders are definitely a challenge. It is worth every step to experience the beauty of Owen Point!

JVZ has his most interesting day as he slips at a surge channel earning him the title of 'cliffhanger" and also bangs his head on a tree, which was in his way, earning him the name "headbanger". No major injuries, however, and he is able to tell the tales with much humour.

Navi continues on carefully in his Tevas and we burn his traitorous boots at the campfire this night.

For me, everything is going well so far. The legs and feet are groaning a bit and I am feeling the exertion of the last couple of days. Tomorrow is the day I am looking forward to with some trepidation .... the day of all those ladders!

We experience a bit of rain overnight and a little again in the morning. The day begins with a misty morning on the coast. We start out on semi-slippery boardwalks and lots of muddy trail through some old growth forest. If any of us slips up today, it will guarantee us a lovely mudbath.

After negotiating the ladders to Cullite Creek, we enjoy a relaxing, lengthy lunch break. We wait for Navi, who is finding it slow going through the muddy sections of the trail. We are sure he is cursing the untimely treachery of his boots today. Hodge is unable to make contact with Navi on the radio, so we continue on by crossing the creek and climbing the ladders up the other side to higher ground. Hodge is able to communicate with Navi from here. We decide to wait here until Navi reaches the rest of the group. 

I set my pack down and wander around a bit and, what do you know, I spot a bag with what looks like a pair of runners inside! Hodge goes down to get them and sure enough, although very wet and a bit tread bare, they look to be about Navi's size! We also witness a group of young men descending the ladders - two of them walking down forwards as if they were strolling down a set of stairs!! Incredible to see this and with backpacks on their backs! Incredible!!! I was too shocked to think of taking a picture.

After completing the Cullite ladder marathon, Navi joins our group. It is late afternoon and, after some discussion, we agree to shorten our journey today and stop at Logan Creek for the night. Besides, it's Hodge's birthday and we need to have a birthday party! Navi inspects the shoes, after drying them out at the campfire, and decides to pass on them as they are quite threadbare and won't be an improvement over the Tevas. I guess that's why they were disposed of in the first place, eh?

Continued.....
Trip Report - Part 2