If you are thinking of tackling the top backcountry trail in Canada\u00a0this summer, you\u2019re probably thinking of packing your gear and what you might need! I hiked the trail solo, and had never packed for such an intense multi day hike, so please, learn from my mistakes\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Registration for the West Coast Trail season changes annually. The trail season is open between May 1 and September 30th.<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n I prepared to hike the West Coast Trail on my own, therefore, I really did have to carry it all. <\/span><\/p>\n No sharing the load with a tent mate or even a kitchen mate. I carried my tent, stove, food, clothes, tools, sleeping bag, and everything else I needed for 7 days in the wilderness. And I had never done that long of a multi-day hike before, especially not one where I was sleeping in a tent. I did end up hiking with a great group of folks though, but still, all the gear was separate.<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t Parks Canada recommends that your pack should weight no more than \u00bc of your body weight if you are a woman or 1\/3 of your body weight if you\u2019re a man. The section on safety in the WCT map states \u201cexcessively heavy backpacks<\/u>\u201d as a main cause of injury (and yes, the underlining is theirs!). <\/span><\/p>\n At the mandatory orientation in the information\u00a0centres\u00a0prior to starting the trail, Parks Canada rangers talk at length about pack weight and what you must have in that pack to survive. There are scales hanging from the A Frame of the hut. Packing is a serious thing on the West Coast Trail, mistakes will literally haunt you for 7 days, and could actually put an end to your time on the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n Did I make some mistakes? Heck yah! So many!<\/span><\/p>\n First off, my pack was well over that \u00bc body weight thing. It was more like 1\/3. I do know myself to be freakishly strong, but still, come on Emily!<\/span><\/p>\n My second main mistake that at the time I hiked the trail I hadn\u2019t worked in months, so going out and spending a bunch on gear wasn\u2019t in the cards. So I ended up borrowing bits and pieces from friends and family, or just using what I had. None of which was lightweight. Oh how I envied my trail mates and their lightweight tents, compact sleeping mats and half sized butane canisters. I also didn\u2019t have a pack cover. So dumb.<\/span><\/p>\n But I did do some things right! <\/span><\/p>\n For food, I was concerned about eating a week\u2019s worth of vacuum-sealed, salt ridden, dehydrated food. Also those packages are super expensive. So I borrowed food dehydrator and went for it. I dehydrated anything I could think of, and didn\u2019t get sick on the trail once. My palate was cruising for a bruising, but I had solid energy and protein and my intestinal tract thanked me.<\/span><\/p>\n Clothing wise, I was warm enough. This is key. Even in the summer, nights on the West Coast Trail get chilly. I had a heavy sleeping bag, and my layers held me well. I was glad to have my camp sandals to take my boots off at the end of the day, and my toque to wrap my head.<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t Money. Despite what I said about not having any money, I took enough money. There are places to eat along the trail, and you do not want to miss out of Chez Monique burger because you didn\u2019t hit the ATM. After hiking for 4 days and seeing everyone else eating, if I couldn\u2019t have eaten, I may have walked into the ocean and never returned.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Staying in Port Alberni before you start hiking the trail makes sense.\u00a0 It\u2019s half way between Nanaimo and the northern trail head and where, if you\u2019re taking the boat to Bamfield, you get on that boat.\u00a0 Port Alberni accommodation is mixed and ample, so there are a few hotels to choose from. If you\u2019re taking the Lady Rose boat to get to Bamfield, I would choose somewhere close so you can walk to the dock in the morning.<\/p>\n The Swept Away Inn<\/a> is the closest accommodation to the dock, sitting right on the waterfront itself and is moderately priced.\u00a0 Cheaper options in town include the Redford Motel <\/a> and the Best Western Plus<\/a>.<\/p>\n Honestly, most of the hotels\/motels in Port Alberni are fairly non-descript, so get a room that is comfortable and convenient, since you will experience neither of those two things for the next week of your life.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t camp at Pachena Bay the night before you start the trail, or if you go a bit early to enjoy the village, a night or two in Bamfield would be lovely.\u00a0 A cute marine\/fishing village, Bamfield\u2019s all about the sea.\u00a0 The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is a major research centre on the West Coast of BC. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not open to the public for tours or anything, so enjoy the Bamfield ocean in nature, the way it was intended.<\/p>\n That said, there is no cheap place to stay in Bamfield, but everything is of excellent quality. And from what I can tell, there are only two real formal kinds of accommodation in Bamfield anyways, the Bamfield Motel<\/a> <\/strong>and the Kingfisher Lodge and Marina<\/a>.<\/strong> Both get decent reviews, but the Kingfisher has the view of the ocean and is probably the more cutesy of the two.<\/p>\n Sooke is an hour or so west of Victoria, so a closer base if you want to get an early start on the trail. It\u2019s also super cute and where a lot of movies have been filmed! The Sooke Harbour House<\/a> is the most famous place to stay in Sooke, it is ocean front and beautiful. The Harbour House is the heritage option and definitely bears that price tag, but hey, you\u2019re worth it! Plus it\u2019s the only place that has a sauna, and if you\u2019re coming off the trail, the word \u2018sauna\u2019 is music to your very sore and tired ears.<\/p>\n Sooke is growing with bigger accommodation options in the last few years, after people realized Victoria is getting really expensive. The Moonlit Bed and Breakfast<\/a> is a great, and less expensive option, while the Prestige Oceanfront Resort<\/a><\/strong> in massive and will contain every amenity you can imagine, because it\u2019s basically a small city.<\/p>\n One of my favourite cities in Canada, Victoria has a million and one places to stay and tons of things to do before or after you are on the West Coast Trail. You can check out some of these things to do in Victoria here!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Victoria definitely has the most range in places to stay near the South end of the West Coast Trail, so really it\u2019s up to you how much you want to spend and where you want to do it.\u00a0 You can get anything you want, so I would definitely look for something with a hot tub\/sauna and make sure your room has a bathtub. Can you tell I\u2019m subtly trying to say your body will be very sore?<\/p>\n There are so many places to stay in Victoria<\/a> I actually won\u2019t make recommendations, though I can say staying near the Inner Harbour or in James Bay is the most central and convenient.<\/p>\n Find a place in Esquimalt and you will pay less for an ocean view or grab a room at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel<\/a> for some quaint marina life. I also love Swans Hotel and Brewpub<\/a>, only because of it\u2019s awesome downtown location and as it sits on top of an excellent brewpub.\u00a0 Obviously.\u00a0 No hot tub though, so tough call.<\/p>\n But enough with my yammering, on to the list! Below is my West Coast Trail Gear Recommendations, based on experience!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hiking boots:\u00a0 C<\/strong>learly very important, make sure they are broken in with good ankle support and tread. I wear these Keen Mid-Hiking Boots<\/a><\/strong>, as they are not too heavy, still give plenty of support and are extremely versatile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sports bra<\/strong>: Also Doubled as a swim suit! I don\u2019t have the most demure chest out there, so my sports bra is a key piece of hiking gear. For all of my sports, including hiking, I wear the Shock Absorber Running Bra<\/a>.<\/strong> It\u2019s pricier than most sports bras, but when it comes to the girls, I don\u2019t want to fall victim to the get what you pay for adage!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Regular bra: <\/strong>I also packed a normal super comfy, probably too loose bra for hanging around camp. Because there is nothing better than taking that sports bra off at the end of the day!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quick dry underwear<\/strong>: I packed 3 pairs and rinsed them out as I went. Again, mine are more specifically for running, and are made for quick dry and to wick away, erm, moisture. A great option are these New Balance Wick Away undies<\/a><\/strong>. And they come in a 3-pack!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Smart Wool Socks<\/strong>: Bring at least 5 pairs, though some of the guys I hiked with had a brand new pair for every day. Not dumb. I love Smart Wool Medium Crew Socks<\/a><\/strong>, made for women, though Smart Wool also makes both lighter and heavier socks or varying length, for men and women.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had two pairs of these for several years and only now are they starting to die on me. Solid investment, and there is nothing more important on the trail than keeping those feet happy!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Two tank tops\/t-shirts<\/strong>: I hiked exclusively in one tank top and then changed into the dry, relativly clean one once at camp. I like to feel cleanish once I get to camp, so for ultra light packing the second may feel redundant. Again, go for something quick dry, and preferably one that wicks away sweat and doesn\u2019t get stinky, and I would recommend for the hiking shirt, it having at least short sleeves to protect your shoulders from your backpack and the sun. <\/span><\/p>\n I generally really like UnderArmour stuff, so I like this Under Armour V-Neck<\/a> <\/strong>that is light and flowy, but very quick dry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quick dry hiking pants with cargo pockets:<\/strong> I\u2019m always torn about what pants to hike in.\u00a0 I love simple spandex leggings, but the fact is the ugly cargo style pants are just so much more practical. They are cooler on hot days, save your leg from the passing twigs, and the pockets are just so easy. So as much as I hate \u2018cargo pant\u2019s, for hiking, practicality always wins!\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Check out these cargo style tactical pants from Under Armour<\/a><\/strong> with quick dry and wick-away fabric, and the always important pockets!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quick dry shorts:\u00a0<\/strong>Again simple bits and pieces that weigh nothing and make camp life that much more comfortable. Whatever you have in the house, I took my Adidas running shorts<\/a> <\/strong>because they could double as swimming suit bottoms and then dry really fast afterwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Long sleeved thermal shirt<\/strong>: Very important piece because once the sun goes down you\u2019ll be wanting to layer up. I have several Merino Wool Base layer Tops like this one from Helly Hanson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>that are mid-weight and surprisingly warm for how small it can scrunch up into your pack.<\/span><\/p>\n Zip-up fleece<\/strong>: One of my most important pieces of hiking gear on any hike I\u2019ve ever done. I have gone through 4 different ones in my adult hiking life, all black, all with zipper pockets, and all finally dying because of too many burn holes from rouge bonfire embers. I like mine pretty fitted, as the baggier ones don\u2019t stay as warm, plus then it can go under your rain jacket easily. I like this Columbia Full-Zip Fleece jacket<\/a> <\/strong>because it hits all of my boxes, and Columbia is a solid brand so it\u2019s worth the moderate price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rain jacket<\/strong>: Seriously, it\u2019s a rainforest people! Anybody who goes on the WCT without basic rain gear is asking for it. I wore my North Face Rain Jacket<\/a> <\/strong>almost every day on the trail, not necessarily because of the rain, but it\u2019s also a great wind break. My jacket has a fleece inner layer, that I didn\u2019t take, as I had my black fleece zip up that I prefer as far as fleece layers go. Some people may pack rain pants as well, but I think if you invest in some decent hiking pants and gaiters you\u2019re good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Flip-flops:<\/strong> Just some cheapy sandals that you can strap to the outside of your pack and wear at camp.\u00a0 Gotta let those trail weary toes breathe a little bit!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Warm hat:<\/strong> In Canada we call them touques. Which Americans always make fur on us for.\u00a0 Regardless of what you call it, a warm, fleece lined woollen hat<\/a><\/strong> is a must.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Baseball hat: <\/strong>Really anything with a brim on it, to keep the rain or the sun off your face, and protects your face from rogue branches or whatever may be flying at you. Again, anything you have that you love to see in your pictures.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had my obnoxious red University of Victoria hat since 2nd year of university, and it\u2019s still going!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Gloves:\u00a0<\/strong>Joy wore a pair of lightweight gloves while hiking, and they really helped keep her hands not destroyed on those ladders.\u00a0 Of course, gloves help keep your hands warm as well, obviously.\u00a0 It was brilliant of her to bring these lightweight black running gloves<\/a><\/strong>, and I wish I had have carrier them!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Waterproof Tent:<\/strong>\u00a0Opt for the smallest one that you will be comfortable in, but remember you need to fit you gear in there with you.\u00a0I took the one I had in my closet, which was too big and too heavy. You don\u2019t need a winter tent, but definitely one that is good for rainy conditions like this Easy Pop-Up 2 person tent from Vitchelo<\/a><\/strong> or this 2 person, 3 Season waterproof tent from CCTRO<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Both of these options are less than 5lbs, and every pound on the West Coast Trail counts!<\/span><\/p>\n Sleeping mat:<\/strong> An essential piece of gear, because if you can\u2019t sleep you\u2019r done for. So don\u2019t skimp on it, mine was borrowed and too bulky, but comfy at least! You can go ultra hardcore with the barebones, classic\u00a0Therm-a-Rest<\/a> <\/strong>that will act as your personal Chiropractor every night, or bump up your luxury just a bit with this inflating mat from Outdoorsman Pad<\/a> <\/strong>that folds down to the side of a waterbottle!\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Either one will keep you warm as an insulating layer underneath you, but personally I would opt for a bit more cushion too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sleeping bag:<\/strong> Obviously, also an essential\u00a0 piece of gear. I had bought mine in Nepal so you know it was warm enough, thought it again, could have been lighter weight. This Kelty 22 degree sleeping bag <\/a><\/strong>is 3lbs and stuffs down nice and small to save space in your bag for Snickers bars, and as it goes down to 22F, it\u2019s plenty warm enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kaleidoscope Hiking Poles:<\/strong>\u00a0100% essential!!!! The WCT is rough, muddy, and full of tricky footing. Your poles will save you, so get good ones that can bear your weight and won\u2019t crack under pressure. I use these hiking poles from Cascade Mountain Tech<\/a><\/strong>; they are carbon fibre, lightweight, quick locking, and fully adjustable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Headlamp or flashlight:<\/strong> It\u2019s dark out there, especially getting to the outhouse, and you want your handsfree to carry whatever you need. This super duper headlamp from GRDE<\/a><\/strong> is ultra bright and comes with a USB charger, car charger, and rechargeable batteries, so you\u2019re not buying and carrying batteries you all the time, and it does hold it\u2019s charge for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n Backpack with waist harness<\/strong>: Not the place to go cheap, the comfort of your backpack is paramount. Make sure it fits properly and do some practice hikes with it on to get used to the hot spots). There are tons of great backpacks, so find the<\/span> best backpack for you<\/a>!<\/strong> I carried a <\/span>top loading pack with many <\/b>external<\/b><\/span><\/a>\u00a0pockets like this one from Teton.\u00a0<\/b> I liked the pockets for easy access to snacks, because food rules my world, plus there are places to stick your water bottle and poles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Back Pack Cover<\/strong>: It rains a lot on the West Coast Trail, and if your back doesn\u2019t come with a built in cover, you\u2019ll want to purchase a separate one.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Even when it\u2019s not raining, a cover is great to keep your bag clean and safe. This pack cover from Orange Sport<\/a><\/strong> is ultra light and ultra bright, so you can be spotted at a distance, and also comes with a waterproof cell phone case! This cover can be used for a backpack of almost any size, all the way up to 90litres, and if you have more than 90 litres on the trail with you, the rain is the least of your worries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Gaiters:<\/strong>\u00a0I did not have gaiters, everyone else did. \u00a0I was wrong. \u00a0They were right.\u00a0 Gaiters are basically boot extensions that go onto your calves and protect your pants and legs from the knee down.\u00a0 They are waterproof, and keep your legs, and therefore your\u00a0boots and feet dry as anything. Gaiter keep rocks and debris out of your boots and socks, and not that there are leeches on the WCT, but they would keep those critters out too! <\/span><\/p>\n Gaiters are simple pieces of equipment that can really help save your feet from blisters, being wet, and general discomfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These FiveJoy Mountain Hiking Boot Gaiters<\/a> <\/strong>are a bit pricier than others, but they get great reviews and have a polyurethane coating that keeps them even more water resistant!<\/p>\n \t\t\t Cooking Pot with Lid<\/strong>: I just took whatever small one I could find in the kitchen, but there are far better options made specifically for backpacking and camping cooking. I like the look of this 8-piece OuterEQ cooking set<\/a><\/strong> with foldable handles, stackable inserts, and lightweight materials. The whole set weighs just over a pound, so that\u2019s a pretty solid, inexpensive investment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.seehertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Guyana-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nWhere to Stay Before Hiking the West Coast Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Leaving from the North End <\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Port Alberni<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Book a Comfy Room in Port Alberni Now!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
Bamfield<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Stay a Night in Bamfield and Book a Room Now!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
Starting at the South End<\/h2>\n
Sooke<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Go For Luxury and Stay in Sooke! Find a Room Now!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
Victoria<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Take Your Pick of a Great Room in Victoria! Find Latest Deals Now!<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nWest Coast Trail Clothes<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nOutdoors Hiking Gear<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\nCooking<\/span><\/h2>\n