Written by Nancy BesharaFunctional supporter
![Canadian Parks/Madeleine Rahe Vancouver Island's rugged west coast](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0h5dsky.jpg.webp)
Canada’s West Coast Trail is an epic backpacking adventure. But long before hikers began testing themselves on this treacherous coastline, people relied on trails for survival.
An epic story along the jagged edges of Vancouver Island west coast trail A 6-8 day backpacking adventure in remote parts of Canada. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This 75km, self-sufficient expedition will see around 7,500 seasonal hikers climb more than 100 ladders, trudge across ankle-deep beaches in ankle-deep sand and slippery stones, and explore unpredictable terrain. Take on the challenge of withstanding West Coast weather.
When runner, leadership coach, and facilitator Diane Lloyd hiked the trail in 2019, she realized just how challenging it can be. At one point, a curtain of rain poured down on the hood of her jacket as she clung to a slippery wooden ladder 20 feet off the ground. A cluster of spiky sword ferns clung to the crumbling bank in front of her. She looked up, water blinking in her eyes, careful not to let her huge backpack interfere with her balance. “Every step on this ladder seemed like a struggle in the pouring rain, and I had just started a 75km hike,” she said.
But long before experienced hikers began testing themselves against Mother Nature and this wild coastal terrain, indigenous people relied on this trail for survival. It had long been part of the First Nations trade and travel route, but Warrant Officer William’s 14 survivors Oldest shipwreck recorded off the treacherous coastlineThe Native Americans fed, clothed, and cared for the survivors before canoeing them to the nearest settlement.
As shipping traffic increased, so did the number of shipwrecks and casualties, and the coastline became known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific.”When the American steamer SS Valencia When the ship crashed into a coral reef near Cape Pachena in 1906, killing 136 people, the government responded with modern maritime safety and rescue infrastructure. One of his efforts was the Dominion Lifesaving Trail to assist shipwreck survivors, with emergency shelter and supplies along the indigenous trail.
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![Parks Canada/Josh McCulloch Hikers must be completely self-sufficient on 75km of trails, including more than 100 ladders (Credit: Parks Canada/Josh McCulloch)](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0h5dshf.jpg.webp)
Modern navigational aids and improved communications have made the Dominion Life Saving Trail obsolete. In 1973, the Canadian government added this historic trail to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and named it the West Coast Trail.
Book your adventure
The West Coast Trail is open from May 1st to September 30th and access is by reservation only. Reservations for 2024 will open on January 22nd at 08:00 PT. Visitors can book their stay by visiting . Parks Canada website Or call +1 877 737 3783 (+1 519 826 5391 outside North America).
As hiking trails were created, Indigenous people continued to live on their traditional territories. In 1973, Leslie Cook Sr., a member of the local First Nation, was hired by Parks His Canada to assist and maintain the West Coast Trail. Leslie Sr. and his colleagues used fallen trees to build trails and bridges to provide access for trail users. Today, the trail infrastructure is built elsewhere and flies in a half-baked state, but First Nations still maintain the route.
In 1995, the West Coast Trail Guardian Program was created in response to First Nations concerns about overpopulation and the protection of traditional territories. The program provides co-management and employment opportunities for the Pachiedat, Ditidat, and Huayat First Nations whose traditional territories are intersected by the trail. West Coast Trail Guardians maintain infrastructure such as ladders and boardwalks, clean and clear trails, and support the safety of trail users. And they are proud to share Indigenous history and culture with hikers along the route.
Martin Horak first hiked the trail as a young boy in 1982 with his mother and uncle, and the connection between Indigenous people and nature left an indelible impression on him. “On that first hike, my mom and I met and took a picture with Indigenous water taxi operator Carl Edgar Sr.,” Horak said. “After spending many days alone in the wilderness, we emerged from the trail as hikers defeated by the elements and waited for someone to rescue us. We took a boat to the other side of the mountain. We felt a connection when we talked to Karl on the way to the trail. Karl has lived in the area his whole life and we used to hike through his backyard.”
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![Parks Canada/Scott Mann Carmanah Creek is one of many creek crossings along the West Coast Trail (Credit: Parks Canada/Scott Mann)](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0h5dsgz.jpg.webp)
Since then, Horak has completed the West Coast Trail at least eight times, most recently with his wife and daughters, and interactions with Indigenous people remain an important part of his West Coast Trail experience. I am. “Every time I go back to the West Coast Trail, I recreate the photos I took with Karl, his family, and my family,” he said. “And instead of putting glossy pictures in his backpack, he emails these pictures to Carl because he’s not 1982 anymore.”
For Ms. Horak’s daughters, Michele and Sierra, “learning about Native American history and culture in the classroom was a no-brainer” until they met Native Americans while hiking the West Coast Trail and experienced their culture and traditional territory firsthand. It wasn’t very realistic.”
“It changes your perspective and builds a deeper connection,” Sierra said. “One day, a boat operator told us about how she was working to preserve her traditional territory and the language of her ancestors. Then she took us to Nittnacht. He took us further up the Narrows and showed us more of the territory and told us about fishing and crab trapping.”
Her twin sister Michele agrees. “After hiking the West Coast Trail, we became more aware and concerned about Indigenous issues.”
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![Parks Canada/Madeline Lahaye Ditidaht First Nations Conservation Supervisor Leslie Cook Jr. is happy to share cultural information with visitors (Credit: Parks Canada/Madeline Lahaye)](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0h5dsgd.jpg.webp)
According to Parks Canada, hikers often comment that meeting and interacting with Indigenous guardians was the most memorable part of their trip. However, with only six Guardians present along the 75km trail at any given time, engagement opportunities are not guaranteed. The harsh backcountry experience can also reduce visibility for trail users, especially beginners.
Although, Parks canada west coast trail map It includes information about First Nations and First Nations place names, and says, “Most hikers will ask the parents they meet about trail arrangements, such as distance to campgrounds. They will not necessarily know about First Nations culture or history. It’s not focused on learning about things,” said Leslie Cook Jr., the second. -Generation Guardians is beginning its 17th season on the trail.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Leslie Jr. works in the Ditidat Traditional Area, 25 to 50 kilometers away, supporting and maintaining trail access. Guardian supervisor and long-time resident Leslie Her Junior’s knowledge is vast and passionate about sharing Indigenous history and culture.
He can often be seen at the Guardian’s Hut near Kilometer 30, where he lives while on duty. Here he likes to “walk and talk” with trail users around his unfinished cedar canoe. “It came from the Chee Wat River, where the big cedar trees are perfect for carving canoes, and it washed up on the shore during a big storm more than 20 years ago,” he explained. “The canoe near shore was 8 feet long when completed and was perfect for day fishing near the kelp beds.”
Leslie Jr. may also circulate a laminated photo of the old warrior barracks, “500 strong and a warrior family.” The barracks once stood near Leslie Jr.’s Guardian Hut, from which Ditidaat defended the coastline.
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![Leslie Cook, Jr. Leslie, Jr. often chats with hikers at the Guardian Hut, located 30 kilometers into the Ditidat Traditional Area (Credit: Leslie Cook, Jr.)](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0h5dsft.jpg.webp)
To further communicate the importance of our connection with the region’s indigenous peoples, a new initiative called “Honour” has been launched. Hafuuwi” was launched within the Pacific Rim National Park in 2023, with the aim of sharing the importance of the region from an indigenous perspective. The term “Hahouri” was chosen by indigenous peoples and refers to their traditional territory and ancestral lands. Under the program, Pachidat, Ditidat and Hu-ay-aht First Nations receive funding from Parks Canada to share their stories in their own ways and in their own voices. These stories enhance the West Coast Trail experience by providing trail users with an authentic opportunity to learn about the place and its rich indigenous people. The history and culture inherited from the original inhabitants.
Each indigenous person created their own project. The Ditidato First Nation has developed his nine interpretive panels that share the history, village locations, and names. The Pachiedat indigenous people are designing her four panels. And the Huayat indigenous people carved replicas of her two welcoming figures. These projects are being created and installed along and around the West Coast Trail.
As they walk, backpackers retrace the footsteps of indigenous traders and shipwreck survivors along temperate rainforests and rugged coastlines, telling stories that honor protectors like Hahouri and Leslie Jr. . “Staying present, climbing one step, one rock at a time, is the key to navigating a journey of self-belief along the West Coast Trail. It’s a good metaphor for life. ” Lloyd said.
slow comotion is a BBC travel series that celebrates slow, self-guided travel and encourages readers to get outside and reconnect with the world in a safe and sustainable way.
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