Who should hike the WCT?
Fit hikers with proper gear & wilderness camping experience. Is this you?
- Can you start a fire with wet wood?
- Can you repair a broken tent pole?
- Can you tie-up a tarp in the wind?
- Can you wrestle a cougar?
- (Just kidding on the last one.)
A shocking statistic — Blisters & Bliss tells us that 80% of the registrants they surveyed in 1997 were first-time hikers!
Children under age 12 are not encouraged to register. Will your youngster enjoy the adversity?
Around 8000 people hike the WCT every year. About 99% of those actually walk out. (One hiker is evacuated, on average, every second day.)
About 30% of WCT hikers are non-Canadians. Over 10% are German; over 10% American. You will meet Europeans, & people from the UK too.
The average age is older than you might expect. Many hikers have grey hair – Silverback-packers. Hiking the WCT is a life goal for many. You’ll meet elder, wiser hikers on the trail. The eldest hiker ever, we have heard, was 78.
Who should NOT hike the WCT?
- NOT those with chronic knee, ankle or back injuries
Still, regardless of age, those who suffer chronic knee, ankle, or back pain are advised to pick another more forgiving, less isolated, hike. The Juan de Fuca Trail is a great alternative if you have any chronic medical problems.
The WCT is not recommended for physically challenged hikers. There are no facilities. This Trail is deliberately left in a natural, rugged state. You might consider trying the day trip from Pachena Trailhead (near Bamfield) to the Pachena Lighthouse as it is on (mostly) flat groomed trail & boardwalk. Ask for a free day hiking Permit at the Trailhead office. Better would be some of the day hikes on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
What's the most difficult section?
That's a hotly debated topic. Most would agree that Adrenaline surge is the most dangerous spot — almost everyone bypasses it. Here's an unranked list of other difficult sections:
- Boulders on the beach section Thrasher to Camper
- Scrambling Sandstone Creek
- Ladders
- Gordon River to Thrasher
- Cable cars
- Log bridges
- Wading rivers
How large a group is recommended?
The maximum size of group allowed to register together is 10. If you have more than 10 hikers, you’ll need to split-up — at least when you make a reservation. (One British hiking club started half of their hikers at either end of the WCT, met briefly in the middle, then continued to pick up vehicles waiting at both ends.)
School groups are sometimes allowed larger groups than 10. (Call Parks Canada 250 726-7721 to check School Group Regulations.)
We feel that 4 people in 2 small tents is ideal. If someone is hurt, 1 person can stay with the victim while the other 2 go for help.
Blisters & Bliss tells us the average group size is 3.1.
Our best advice is that you hike with people that you like & know well as the WCT is an intense experience. We’ve seen hiking partners break-up on the Trail.
Have we mentioned snoring? Serious snorers may want to carry their own small tent or bivouac sack.
