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Calgary
69 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2012 : 3:47 PM
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Hi Everyone -
Just wondering if anyone here has gone standby for the WCT. I haven't been able to plan much in advance, so am now debating a start date around August 6. If you've gone this route, how long was your wait and at what time of year? It seems that this can vary from 1 - 3 days. Also seems better the fewer people. Any other comments or suggestions? I'd be aiming to start in Port Renfrew, then take the water taxi or WCT express back. I'm a bit flexible on time, so could easily take a day or two extra, or finish early, etc. All depends on conditions I guess.
Also, for anyone who has done it solo, how often did you run into people? It sounds like one may not see anyone all day, then run into larger groups at the campsites. I guess there may be a bit of boredom to contend with?! :-) Any issues with operating the cable cars alone?
Anyways, looking forward to hearing your thoughts. |
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East Van, BC
Canada
23 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2012 : 5:23 PM
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Hi Barbara, I did that same time last year (2 people)and it was no problem- We could have gotten on the day of if we had arrived earlier, but we did our orientation that day and left the next morning. This was from the bamfield trailhead.
We found that if you wanted to avoid the crowds, you just had to avoid the 'full-service' campsites. The spots without outhouses and bear-boxes were either empty or almost empty. I think you'll definitely see quite a few people along the way though. It didn't feel crowded while hiking, but it didn't feel empty either. There were always people somewhere along the beach. |
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Calgary
69 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2012 : 5:30 PM
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| Thanks, Aaron. So, did youa ctually find out the day before that you'd get to go the next day? I was under the impression that you only find out at 1pm for that same day. Having a day's notice would be nice. |
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17 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 11:49 PM
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Apparently the numbers have bin down in the last few years for the trail. so standby should not be a problem. I have a friend who is a private guide who goes all the time on standby and he usually only has 1 day max wait usually always gets on.
Also i did it solo last year. Its a great hike to do solo. Its safe , there is always somebody coming along you will see lots of people in August. Its a 2 way hike, so people will be coming down your way. I gurantee in Aug, you will see people everyday.
Cable cars are easy solo. you will figure it out. pull the car up. hold the car with one hand, take the other hand, throw your pack in and then hop in. its not that bad, totally do able.
iits a very socialble hike you will meet a lot of people from everywhere, thats the wct.
good luck. |
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1058 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 2:53 PM
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| I just scored someone's superfluous permit for next week, which is awesome because I have a few free days. Planning to do it solo in two days/one night. Yippee. |
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Calgary
69 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 8:18 PM
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Thanks for the feedback, especially on the cable cars. Currently working on my meal plan for if this really happens :-).
Kid C - keep us posted when you come back. Would love to hear how it goes as a two-day. |
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Vancouver
1808 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 9:08 PM
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We've never gotten reservations and never had to wait. Reservations probably are only necessary if you have a large group starting on an August weekend. Staff have the option to "average" starting numbers over both ends of the trail and over several days, which allows even more flexibility.
But if you want to see how much you can spend doing the WCT by getting reservations, sending voluntary taxes straight to Ottawa instead of laundering them through the reservation agency probably would do more good. Or donate the money to a charity.
Another tip for solo use of the cable cars, or if sharing one with a child: Rather than try to pull up to the far end using "hand over hand", haul on the cable with both arms at once, facing the far terminal. You can get your next grab on the cable before the car starts to roll back. |
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London, England
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2012 : 06:53 AM
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We have two southbound 6-day hiking permits available for the west coast trail starting Tuesday, July 17th that we won't be able to use.
If anyone would like to purchase them, please contact us at: kristine.beese@gmail.com
Thanks. |
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Calgary
69 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2012 : 09:18 AM
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Now that I've done the WCT, I thought I'd share this follow-up which I had included in my trip report.
Getting a Permit
We all know that the permits sell as soon as they become available three months before, but what few people realize is that this does't mean you can't get on the trail. Going on standby gives you a great chance of getting on and was what I was going to do, until I scored a permit just a week before due to cancellations. I had called the Parks Canada trailhead offices numerous times through July, including on key days like Fridays and Saturdays, and inquired how long it would take to get a spot if I were there right then. In each case they said that there's no people on the standby list and I could have started right then. Five spots are saved for standbys from either end, plus any cancellations. Since they've had the quota in place, they allow aroun 8,000 hikers on each year, yet the most they've had was around 5,600. That means that a heck of a number of people don't show up or cancel. They also informed me that the most anyone would generally have to wait is a day and the longest standby they've ever had (on August long weekend last year) was three days. I checked their reservation page for a month before, got a permit the week before, and in the end four more standby people got on the day I started. This was early - mid August, so prime season for the trail. Don't be deterred by the reservation system.
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vancouver, bc
Canada
40 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2012 : 6:33 PM
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| i went augest long weekend this year standby with a friend, no problem at all. they took 6 that day from the north, a group of 4 and us. i think the north is a little easier to get on standby due to the location. |
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Going standby for WCT
