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Coquitlam, BC
Canada
174 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 11:35 AM
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wilderness_seeker, Blondie, arbutusq, and myself as well as too other wonderful people (Greg & Kim), that came to the group through wilderness_seeker, just returned from a 7 day journey on the WCT.
It was an amazing trip, we where graced with beautiful weather, and this being the first time that some of us had hiked together, a potentially dangerous proposition, we all got along great, and made an excellent team.
I've got a lot of gear to dry out and clean, so I'm just going to put up a couple pictures to get this trip report rolling, and the rest of you can add more as you get the chance.
The Trip began with everybody meeting up at the ferries, to make the trip over to the island, followed by a very interesting night drive to Port Renfrew, a couple long rough gravel side roads, large amounts of fog, nothing that our newly founded team couldn't handle. Finally arriving in Port Renfrew late at night, left us with few places to sleep, the back 40 of the Visitor Info Center became our home for the night.
In the morning we awoke to a rather interesting site.
Whale on a Stick!
(i'm sure this statue is of importance to the people of PR, but you have to admit that waking up to this interesting site first morning on the trip, was very amusing)
After packing up and a quick breakfast at a local diner, we made our way to the trail head, unloaded gear, and parked the vehicales. Just as the bus the Bamfield arrived I realized i was the first person to forget an essential piece of gear and had to run the km or so back to my truck to grab my camera, only to get back and find out that the shuttle bus would have driven right passed the parking lot, saving me a lot of trouble.
3 hour bus ride, on gravel logging roads....bumpy and uneventful, an unfortunate amount of clearcutting going on between P.R. and Bamfield.
Now at the Bamfield Trail head and 75km from our vehicales we had no choice but to start hiking. An inciteful orientation, people in one of the other groups seemed quite worried about West Nile, (a couple of them where from winnipeg, so i guess it's understandable).
FINALLY!!! we're hiking!!! but wait, the trail is washed out. so what we thought was going to be a nice easy start involved a large amount of newly placed ladders right away. After a smooth first 12km we make it to our first camp, at Michigan Creek, and are greated by rain.
Here's a couple other pictures, and it's off to gear sorting for me.
Nitnat Narrows
Hiking in the Fog....not the forst time, nor the last.
one of the many creek crossings
the battle between the Sand Snowmen and the Ocean. The Snowmen put up a valiant fight, and stood their ground till the bitter end, but eventually the ocean won. (you can tell this was a very intense stresfull trip)
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"You will both be just humans, tied to the same rope, saving each others lives withought a word." |
Edited by - Jedd on 08/23/2005 11:42 AM
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Calgary, alberta
Canada
664 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 11:56 AM
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Congrats on the completion of the WCT! 
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The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
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 adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3806 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 12:07 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Jedd
the battle between the Sand Snowmen and the Ocean. The Snowmen put up a valiant fight, and stood their ground till the bitter end, but eventually the ocean won.
Too funny 
I wanna go back! |
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 alpine seekin, therma loungin, java brewin, licorice whorin, stealth hikin, all weather trail guru
Pt. Coquitlam, B.C.
Canada
1772 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 2:33 PM
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Me too ! Hmmm... I've never done the trail in the fall. Looking forward to the rest of the photos
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^^ Go Vertical ^^ |
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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
MISSION, B.C.
Canada
7826 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 7:51 PM
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Great TR, admire you guys going on such a long extended trip. Also looking forward to the rest of your pictures.
Regards, |
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new Westminster, bc
Canada
365 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 9:14 PM
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We had a great time, but I think the other groups on the trail with us might have a different take on the group.....more details to follow I am sure.
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Nature is my inspiration |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 9:16 PM
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Great TR Jedd.....I'm going to add some (along with some stories) myself, but I am having technical difficulties with the pictures. I'll add some more stuff by tomorrow (Wed) night, after I've talked with the person who answers all my technical questions!!!
I had a great time, and you all were a great group. Looking forward to some more adventures!! |
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new Westminster, bc
Canada
365 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 10:05 PM
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Here are a few of my pics. As was already mentioned, lots of ladders. Here are my three favourites. The nice one welcoming us at the start of the trail (north end), Cullite Creek ladder, and finally the lovely construction at Thrasher Cove.
  
and fog, fog and more fog.
  
lazy sea lions  and equally lazy hikers 
What WCT trail report would be complete withougt a pic of the infamous Tsusiat Waterfall, sans seagulls.
Just to prove the sun does shine on the WCT, here is this shot.
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Nature is my inspiration |
Edited by - arbutusq on 08/23/2005 10:06 PM |
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Back busted, pumpkin carvin, toyota drivin, wacky hair canvas painter that likes a cold Beer on a subzero day
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
1072 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 10:15 PM
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Ahh what a beautiful province we live in!
Jedd, I’m both envious and excited about your trip and I’m glad to see you are still getting out as I have not seen you on CT for a while. Looks like you had a memorable time!
We need to hike again together soon!
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Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5500 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 12:32 AM
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Kind of like the moody fog shots.
This one is still high on my list.May even do a solo one day on it.
Can't wait to see more shots if you have them.
So how manys days did you take?
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"No Trail is Long with Good Company"
Russ S.
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Langley, BC
Canada
151 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 2:25 PM
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Nice going, all.
Congrats, it's a special place.
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Some fun hmm, Bambi? |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
3878 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 5:00 PM
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Congrats on completing  - you have many great pictures so far, we want more!!!  |
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Coquitlam, BC
Canada
174 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 5:06 PM
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took us 7 days, a nice casual pace, and oh where we ever in a casual mood the entire way. Definatly the loudest group on the trail, everybody was smiling except for our "non-morning" person but as soon as she had her coffee everything was good to go.
A must have for the West Coast Trail.....Coconuts.
One morning, probably the highlight of the trip, we had fresh wolf tracks running down the beach right in front of our camp
 the tracks led up to the remains of a seagull, no sooner had we found the wolfs breakfast, but noticed otter tracks, all around the kill, shortly after that one of the members of our group noticed something out in the water, maybe 30ft off shore, after a long period of watching this creature, it finally surfaced and proved to be a grey whale. Think that was enough? this is all happening in heavy fog, a few minutes later, we could hear sea lions barking, and grunting, out in the water but couldn't see them, made the whole situation kind of erie. The Wolf tracks continued on down the beach, disapereing and re apearing for about an hour or so.
A couple more pictures, that I recieved from Greg, one of the non-CT members of our group
Chez Monique - aparently controversial, but has the best damn burgers EVER!
Greg, myself, Christine (Blondie), and Steve(arbutusq) at Hole in the Wall
Myself, Kim, Tracy(wilderness_seeker), Christine, and Steve, hiking in the fog...what a suprise
and one more just to prove that we really did work hard on this trail....really we did.....
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"You will both be just humans, tied to the same rope, saving each others lives withought a word." |
Edited by - Jedd on 08/25/2005 5:25 PM |
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new Westminster, bc
Canada
365 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 6:15 PM
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Ok more pics. Unfortunately the most amusing part of the trip remains undocumanted. I refer of course to the aforementioned anti-morning person's untimely plunge into Camper Creek while holding a cup of coffee!! Anyway on with the pics.
Ssea caves. Harr!! A good lair for scurvy pirates, at least until the tide comes in.
Tide pools abounded all along the trail, with the usual suspects found within.
Sunrise in the fog can be quite beautiful.
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Nature is my inspiration |
Edited by - arbutusq on 08/25/2005 6:17 PM |
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Victoria, BC
Canada
348 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 7:13 PM
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Great trip you guys love the pictures, especially the wildlife. Keep on trekkin.
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A smile is a curve to help straighten things. |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 8:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by arbutusq
Unfortunately the most amusing part of the trip remains undocumanted. I refer of course to the aforementioned anti-morning person's untimely plunge into Camper Creek while holding a cup of coffee!!
The anti-morning person?? Could you be referring to me???? Hey, I may have gotten my feet wet, I may have suffered a couple of minor scratches and bruises, but at least I saved the coffee!!
(For those who weren't there, this is the morning we awoke at 5 AM to make it around Owen Point at low tide. I couldn't have done it without coffee. No way. Even with coffee, I was groaning in a somnambulistic state for the next 4 hours. I barely remember crawling up those ladders). |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 11:24 PM
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OK, sorry for the delay….I’m new to the digital revolution and I’ve finally figured out how to post pictures on CT, so here goes:
Day 1: Pachena Bay to Michigan Creek:
After attending the 1:30 PM orientation session at the Bamfield registration hut, we began our trek. Also starting the trail at the same time was a group of physiotherapists who we would later dub “The Nutellas” (since they were said to be carrying a jar of much-coveted Nutella) and a pair of German tourists, who we called (rather unimaginatively) “The Germans.” One of the Germans took our picture as we set out:
I had told everyone that the first part of the trip, as far as Michigan Creek, was as easy as pie. In fact, I was counting on it since I was beat after a lousy sleep next to the “Orca on a Stick” in Port Renfrew. Imagine my shock and horror when the park ranger informed us that that part of the trail had been washed out over the winter, and we were now faced with the second highest set of ladders right at the beginning:
On the way over, we saw sea lions on a rock
and trees in the mist (this became a common theme)
Michigan Creek was a sea of tents, and it was starting to rain:
The thought going through all of our minds was, “Oh, $#@!! I hope we don’t get a whole week of rain!”
However, the weather for most of the week ended up being fog in the morning, a bright patch of sunshine in the afternoon, followed by fog in the evening.
Day 2: Michigan Creek to Tsusiat Falls
Here we are hiking into the mist:
Some beach hiking:
Lunch at Tsocowis:
Approaching a massive flock of seagulls near Klanawa Creek:
It was like a scene from a Hitchcock movie:
(to be continued...better post this before I lose it like my first version)
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2005 : 11:56 PM
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(Part 2)
The cable car was out at Klanawa so there was a handy guy to take us across in his zodiac.
I hadn’t originally wanted to camp at Tsusiat Falls, owing to its popularity, but Kim had her heart set on it so we did.
I had such a good time splashing around in the falls that I was grateful for her insistence.
 
My new camera is supposed to be waterproof, so I decided to test this out:
 
It works!!
Day 3: Tsusiat Falls to Cribs Creek
In the morning we hiked through Hole-in-the-Wall in the fog
Greg found a pet
And I encountered my biggest phobia involving creepy crawly things:
We got to the crossing at Nitinat Narrows and waited for the boat:
 
“Hey, there are people…EATING something over there!” I cried excitedly.
Turns out the native people were cooking up salmon or crab, with a baked potato, for $15 per plate.
If I look incredibly happy to have in front of me a slab of just-caught-that-morning, cooked-to-perfection, slightly smoky, tender, juicy salmon (you know, the kind you can't get in Ontario) with real butter and a wedge of lemon, it’s because I was.
After Nitinat the trail could only be described as a sea of mud and roots. Here's Greg and Kim embracing the mud and roots:
 
After we’d crossed the Cheewhat River, we encountered a vast expanse of sandy, wind-swept beach. We took a bit of a break here
before heading on to Cribs Creek to camp for the night.
(again, to be continued)
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 12:25 AM
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Day 4: Cribs Creek to Walbran Creek
On the morning of Day 4, I woke up at 6:30 and thought, “Must wash. Properly. With soap.” My companions were questioning my sanity (it wasn’t exactly warm out) as I headed down towards the sea in my swimsuit. I hid behind the rocks at Cribs and had a good wash. Sure felt good to be clean!! On the way back out of the sea, I noticed these tracks, which certainly had not been there before:
 
A cougar!!! (I later learned that these were wolf tracks, not cougar, but I spent the next few days convinced I had come within a few meters of a cougar encounter). Part of me wished I had seen the animal, but then again I was glad I hadn’t. It had obviously slipped by everyone eating breakfast in camp, unnoticed.
After breakfast we followed the wolf tracks down the beach. Soon they joined up with some otter tracks. A skirmish had obviously ensued...
...with a seagull also involved in the melee. The outcome seemed to have been rather grave for the seagull:
5 minutes later, a grey whale started flapping its tail out of the water just off shore. Instantly 6 cameras were whipped out. If anyone got a decent picture, it wasn’t me.
About 10 minutes later, Steve heard/felt/sensed something stealthily creeping in the bushes nearby. I looked down and there was another one of those "cougar" (wolf) tracks right next to his feet. I did not lag behind the group to take photos after that.
At Carmanah Lighthouse, we oohed and aahed at the whale skeleton that was nicely laid out on the grass.
We were the first to arrive at Chez Monique, but soon a horde of people had arrived out of the woodwork. This is really roughing it: the third restaurant in four days!! (The first was breakfast in Port Renfrew). The burger was amazing, but the previous day’s salmon is what still sticks in my mind.
Amazing how you can see nobody on the trail all day, save for the Nutellas and the Germans, but as soon as you come across real food being cooked up, people appear out of nowhere!!
(I think the Nutellas are visible in the background, but not the Germans; the poor German guy wasn't allowed to stop for such things as salmon and burgers!!
Here’s the cable car at Carmanah:
And Steve about to cross the Walbran.
We swam in the river, and Jeff and Christine got out on the other side to explore some caves:
(to be continued) |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7142 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 12:43 AM
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STOP!!!!
I dint get no baked potato, or lemon wedge, or even a smear of butter with my crab at Nitinat narrows - what the hey???  ...they didn't even have salmon to offer
Glad you guys had a great trip though, and it looks like you had slightly better weather than we did in June
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hakuna matata |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 01:02 AM
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| LOL!! Well it looks as though I lucked out with the salmon and lemon wedge. Btw it's a good thing I'm doing this story in chunks, because I just lost the last chunk. |
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West Coast Trail August 16 - 22
