The North Coast Trail Awaits!

The gear is currently being sorted, the maps have been studied, and the countdown is officially on. This summer, Oliver and I are heading to the northern tip of Vancouver Island to tackle one of Canada’s most rugged coastal wilderness experiences: the North Coast Trail.

We have locked in our Cape Scott water taxi transport and purchased our BC Parks backcountry permits. Everything is official, and we are ready to head to the trail.

What Makes the North Coast Trail Unique?

For those unfamiliar with this stretch of British Columbia, the North Coast Trail (NCT) is often considered the wilder, more remote cousin of the West Coast Trail and can include an extension of Cape Scott Provincial Park, which we’re also doing.

Here is a quick look at what we are stepping into:

• The Distance: The trail spans 43.1 kilometers (about 27 miles) from Shushartie Bay, reachable by water taxi, to Cape Scott junction, but that is just the NCT portion. On our way to the Cape Scott trailhead parking lot where a shuttle will pick us up, we will tack on the Cape Scott Trail, a day trip to the lighthouse, and a stay at San Josef Bay camp, bringing our total trek to around 80 kilometers.
• The Terrain: This isn’t a casual walk on the beach. The NCT is notorious for its challenging terrain. We will be navigating tidal crossings, climbing steep headlands, using cable cars, scrambling over slippery piles of driftwood, and wading through the island’s legendary deep mud.
• True Wilderness: The area is incredibly remote. There are no towns and cell service is nonexistent. It is prime habitat for coastal wildlife, meaning we will be sharing the coastline with black bears and wolvess.

Follow the Journey

Because this trek promises incredible views and plenty of challenges, we are bringing you along for the ride. As always, we will be documenting the entire experience to share with you.

Once we emerge from the trees and get back to civilization, you can look forward to:

• Detailed Trip Reports: Breakdowns of our daily mileage, campsite conditions, and trail notes.
• Trail Videos: Video documentation of the trek, from the water taxi drop-off to the muddy realities of the inland sections.

We are incredibly excited to challenge ourselves on this stunning slice of Vancouver Island.

Stay tuned for updates, and we will see you on the trail!