2017 Canada
Vancouver Island (Western Canada)

Stage 1 of 12km: Pachena bay, Bamfield (north) - Michigan creek

May 14 - Arrived late for orientation session (1:50 p.m.)... private session, I leave around 3:30 p.m.... Arrived around 6:30 p.m. Saw a black bear within 10m

First steep and slippery ladder on the West Coast Trail

View of the beach from the West Coast Trail

Another view of the beach from the West Coast Trail

Enchanted hike in the Lush Rainforest

My first bear paw print on the West Coast Trail

Stage 2 of 10km: Michigan creek - Klanawa river

May 15 - Departure around 8:30. Stage shortened due to rain continuing all day and part of the night

My camp at Michigan creek

Walking along the beach facing the Pacific Ocean

Walking along the beach cluttered with driftwood

Walking in a light rain along the beach

Last light of day on the beach cluttered with driftwood

Stage 3 of 19.5 km: Klanawa river - Cribs creek

May 16 - Departure around 7:30. Weather variable then fine. Saw a black bear just before the Nitinat ferry and on the pontoon, a small mink (or mink in English). From a bridge, seen 2 adult otters. Took a dish of wild salmon with a large potato 30 CAD, it hurts... Arrival around 6:30 p.m.

Climbing the driftwood piles to continue on the West Coast Trail

Camping in the rain at Cribs creek (bear canister on the right)

Ziplining to go on the other side of the Klanawa River

The Pacific Ocean with a little mist

Tsusiat Waterfall on the beach

Passage under an arch on the beach

Walking on the beach at low tide

Another arch on the beach

Makeshift bridge on a tree

Walk on the cliff overlooking the beach

Pontoon to wait for the ferry needed to cross Nitinaht Narrows

Rustic lunch break with a plate of wild salmon and a large potato: 30 CAD

Swampy area in the woods. Walking on a wooden pontoon.

Remains of a hiker

Suspension bridge for crossing a river

Rocky coast facing the Pacific Ocean

River to cross to reach the beach cluttered with driftwood

Stage 4 of 12km: Cribs creek - Walbran creek (marker 53.5km)

May 17 - Departure around 8:30 a.m. Arrival at Walbran Creek around 2 p.m., approximately 5:30 walking time. Stop at Monique's for a hot chocolate and 3 Mars bars... in the rain.

Cribs creek campsite with my wet spot

Beach with a huge amount of driftwood logs

Driftwood log pile under the mist

Stop at Monique's for a hot chocolate and 3 Mars bars. Marker 41.5km

Carmanah Creek Zipline to pass at high tide

Another view of the Carmanah Creek Zipline

In the Walbran Zipline Pod

Walbran Zipline barely visible in the photo

Walbran Creek Campsite Facing the Marine Elements

Stage 5 of 9km: Walbran creek - Camper bay (marker 62.5km)

May 18 - Departure around 8:30 a.m. and arrival around 2:15 p.m. 9km in just under 6 hours!! Gray cloudy weather with a few rare rays of sunshine. Muddy path, only in the forest, 1 cable car, 1 suspension bridge, very high ladders up to 5 times 8m.

Another steep and slippery ladder on the West Coast Trail

River on the West Coast Trail

Campsite at Camper Bay sheltered by a large tree trunk

Stage 6 of 8km: Camper bay - Thrasher cove

May 19 - Wake up around 6:15, departure around 8:30. Clear cloudy weather, little sunshine. First part in the forest then by the beach: large stones, rock and very large rock to climb. Arrival towards 2:15 p.m., approximately 6 hours of walking.

View of the coast from the cliff

Path on the rocks near the sea

Rocky islet with its trees

Waterfall on the beach

Last campsite at Thrasher Cove on the beach

Stage 7 Thrasher cove - Gordon River (south)

May 20 - Departure around 8 a.m. without stress. Superb sunrise in the mist. First km with lots of ladders then forest with mud. Arrival around 11:05 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. ferry. Good weather, sun but cool wind.