It's not quite the new year, but Jan and I have already set one resolution for 2009 -- hike the West Coast Trail (WCT). The WCT is an historic trail that hugs the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean side of Vancouver Island. Originally hacked through the forest to allow shipwreck survivors to hike to safety, it's now part of the Pacific Rim National Park. It's 75 kms, a beautiful 5-7 day hike that includes trails through the temperate rain forest, along sandy and rocky beaches, across tidal streams (by fording, hand-cranked cable cars, suspension bridges), up and down ladders -- lots o' ladders -- and slip/slopping through mud, lots o' mud.
It's a tough slog so we'll need to be in good shape but we'll also be counting on newer technologies to ease our load. For Xmas this year, we opted for hiking gear, splurging on a Seedhouse tent from Big Agnes, an MSR water filter and a titanium pot -- all stuff guaranteed to lighten your load and your wallet! It was even fun stuffing the gear in our backpack for the trip home by bus. We got the stuff at our local "mecca"(MEC.CA) -- Mountain Equipment Coop. Kids also got into the lightweight spirit and gave us some great freeze-dried meals, light weight towels, buck knife and a new raincoat.
We are pretty much set gearwise, now, we just need to get set bodywise.
We had planned to do the WCT last year, and had started training about this time last year by increasing our gym visits from 3 to 4 times per week, including stairmaster workouts to prep for the cursed ladders and adding a long walk each weekend (typically 3 hours). We ended up switching plans in the spring because the trail was already booked up by the time I called to reserve a slot. ( I couldn't call earlier because I needed to wait till my theology course summer schedule had been settled.)
Instead of the WCT, we booked the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit which was a FANTASTIC trip that we plan to do again. This is a pic from our Bowron trip:
Hiking the West Coast Trail is just one of the things that's going to make 2009 the best year yet. I can't wait!
that sounds like a great trip - I'm jealous.
ReplyDeleteCheck out crossfit.com, they have really good cross trianing exercises there.
Also consider getting a weighted vest and get outdoors and hike, hike, hike!
Bring a camera to document your trip - cheers
Great tips, thanks. That crossfit site is an eye opener. I now realize my routine doesn't have enough variation and he's given me some great ideas.
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