On the stormy Pacific shores of Vancouver Island, the West Coast Trail is positioned in the southern reaches of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve system. The trail, renowned for its scenic beauty and a much sought-after trek, stretches 75km from Pachena Bay, near Bamfield, south to Nitinaht Bay, and ends at Gordon River, near Port Renfrew.

In our preparation for the walk, we hoped to have booked the entire WCT, but only managed the Nitinaht Narrows to Gordon River portion. This starts at the 33km mark of the WCT and ends at 75km; and in actuality, the GPS measured 64km over this six day outing.

According to my American companions, this was more an obstacle course than a backpacking trip! During our time on the WCT, we encountered at least two people who were injured and had to cut it short.

Warning!!!: These photos belie the trail's nature: "Tho' Nature, red in tooth and claw" - Alfred Tennyson.