I would think that after standing on the top of the World Everest and seeing Nepal in all its glory, reaching the peak of all the other seven summits, experiencing different cultures around the world, that a simple walk on the West Coast Trail, would be just that: a simple walk. I think we take for granted the beauty that surrounds us, since we see it every day, but the WCT opened my eyes to my own back yard forever and I am eternally grateful to all that shared that journey.
It is strange now that I am back from the WCT and it seems so distance. Every time I see the mountains, trees and water, I am reminded of that wonderful week in Sept on the WCT. There were so many amazing wonders and unique experiences that week. Read more
HOLY SHMOLY! The laughs continue post trail….
In his own words:
I, for one, am suffering acute West Coast Trail withdrawal symptoms, and just wondered if any of you can relate….
At 5:30 a.m. I rolled over in my bed( which seemed odd) and discovered much to my dismay, Dave wasn’t cuddled up close by, there was no condensation dripping in my face, no wet sand and I didn’t smell a strong odour of cheese emanating from under the covers. Something is very wrong, I thought, as I struggled to pull down my curtains and roll them into my pillow case. For the life of my , I couldn’t locate my boots, and the very idea of sitting on a real toilet seat with out throwing in something to help the compost process, as a result, grabbing some bread crumbs just seemed like the right thing to do. It then occurred to me, I am home, civilization again. Read more
Dave Grice and John Lam on one of the many cable car crossingsFor Dave, completing the West Coast Trail for the third time was extra special. Dave wanted the trail to mean something bigger than his own physical challenge to complete it. Fortunate enough to spend some time with Rob the first night talking about Rob’s life journey, what IDEAS was all about and how it especially made a positive impact in many kids lives, Dave knew right away he was trekking for something much larger than his own accomplishment: “I was able to take that sense of purpose with me on the hike. I often thought of the people that donated already as my support team along the mud, ladders and sand. I was doing this hike for them too.”
One year ago the first ever IBD Adventure successfully took all six participants to the summit of the world’s highest free-standing mountain: Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.
The team arrived at the trail head yesterday and spent their day walking to what Rob described as a gorgeous beach-side camping spot. The weather was grey and drizzly, but didn’t dampen the trekkers excitement to get started on this historic trek along Canada’s national treasure – the wild and rugged West Coast Trail. Read more
The trekkers are all converging on the start of the trail today. They’ve been traveling from Vancouver to Port Renfrew via BC Ferries and Victoria, where they picked up Rob Hill. Despite a gloomy west coast weather day – it’s been raining fairly steady all day – spirits are up. The excitement of a new adventure on a historic trail can’t be rained out. Read more
I could not stop humming the old BJ Thomas song “Rain drops keep fallin on my head”, while peering out at the gloom today. For most of the summer the West Coast Trail had basked in sunshine, and now a scant 6 days away, Mother Nature reminded me again of who was really in charge!
For the past 2 years, I have had the pleasure of delivering excited trekkers to the WCT as a driver with Sea to Sky Expeditions. Our guides would do a thorough gear check, which would be followed by a scrumptious, gourmet dinner at the Country Kitchen in Port Renfrew (fresh Fish & Chips please, with Chocolate Avalanche cake for dessert), then it was off to our tents for a night filled with anticipation of the early start the following morning. Read more
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