| The number one wilderness backpacking trail in BC | | | | liner, if possible, otherwise be sure to pack extra |
| is the West Coast Trail and it is essential to know | | | | socks so you can change frequently. You should |
| what kind of equipment to carry and wear | | | | start wearing your boots the day you begin |
| because there are many unique facts to consider. | | | | training for the West Coast Trail and don't worry |
| First however, is the matter of getting on the | | | | about what fellow walkers say, just tell them |
| trail. This is a very ecologically sensitive rain forest | | | | where you are going and enjoy the look of awe |
| trail with strict daily limits on the number of users | | | | on their faces. If you don't break them in, they |
| who may start each day. | | | | will break you in, and painfully. |
| When we did it, the number was 26 per day | | | | Next up, your backpack. I used one that had a |
| from either end of the trail and I don't think that | | | | capacity of about 70 L. You can vary the size a |
| has changed much. Consequently, it is absolutely | | | | bit depending on the number of people in your |
| vital that you reserve a starting date well in | | | | party and whether you are male or female (in this |
| advance and have a couple of options in mind. | | | | case, females should pack less weight, so chivalry |
| After determining and reserving your start date, | | | | is not dead). The pack must absolutely have a |
| it is time to get down to the serious business of | | | | waterproof cover and you might consider lining |
| making sure you have the right equipment from | | | | the inside with a plastic garbage bag for increased |
| your head to your toes and from your tent to | | | | protection, it is a rain forest, remember. If |
| your pack. I'm serious about that since over 80 | | | | something gets wet like your powdered food, |
| people per season get flown out by Air and Sea | | | | socks, etc. they will not dry out. Yes, it could rain |
| Rescue with various injuries, mostly from falls. | | | | for all 7 days and nights. Check around your city, |
| In this article, I will deal with some more specific | | | | depending on where you live, you might find |
| equipment recommendations from my own | | | | people who have done the WCT who would rent |
| experience. Number one on the list is boots. You | | | | or lend you their pack. I cannot underestimate the |
| are going to walk, climb, slide, trip, stumble, | | | | importance of spending the time and money to |
| balance, slosh, slog, tramp, slip, wade and crash | | | | obtain the best boots and the most comfortable |
| your way over, under, around, through, beside, up | | | | backpack that you can find. Before you commit |
| and down this 47 mile trek through the rain | | | | to the pack, make sure to load it with 40 to 50 |
| forest while carrying everything you need including | | | | lbs of weight and check all of the adjustments to |
| food, shelter and clothing for 7 days. Yes, you | | | | make sure that it fits and rides on your shoulders, |
| need a top quality pair of boots that fit properly, | | | | back and hips properly. This will take some time |
| are well broken in and come up over your ankles. | | | | and effort but it is much easier to do this a |
| I would advise you to wear a pair of light, | | | | couple of months before heading out than a day |
| perhaps nylon, liner socks covered by top quality, | | | | after you start the trail. |
| heavy duty backpacking socks when you get | | | | Boots and backpack should be your number 1 |
| fitted and then later on the trail. | | | | priority. The key information to understand is that |
| Do not, under any circumstances, scrimp on this | | | | you will be backpacking in an area that gets over |
| part of your equipment. Use a store that is very | | | | 12 feet of rainfall per year and the trail is often |
| knowledgeable about backpacking equipment and | | | | covered in deep mud. It is essential that all of |
| if possible, talk to a salesperson who has actually | | | | your gear is built for these kinds of conditions and |
| hiked this trail. You must spend time breaking | | | | that fashion is secondary to function, therefore |
| these boots in no matter what some rookie store | | | | leather boots and gators. These guidelines will |
| clerk tells you, I suggest 2 months minimum of | | | | make your experience on any of the wilderness |
| hard work. This should include as much rough | | | | backpacking trails in BC more pleasant but are |
| terrain as you can find including mud, water, steep | | | | essential on the West Coast Trail. Next time, in |
| inclines and tree roots if you can possibly arrange | | | | part two, I will cover things like hydration |
| it. They must be leather and have a waterproof | | | | systems, water filters, light and more. |