Beano Creek, juts out into raging waters right at our feet. Camp is near and we have another 11 kilometers complete. Then comes the rain and wind, and it’s time we find refuge. Times like these resemble badges of honour for our crew, assisting each other through steep rope climbs, crawling under 700-year-old fallen giants and through rocky terrain. Climbing up in the muddy, deep, thick trees makes a beach hike that much more special. All of these elements provide a more profound appreciation for the easy, sandy sections. Sticks prod you and sometimes footing slips away. Stepping into the forested jungle slows us the greenery shrouds your feet vision ahead is limited by leaves in your face. Today we need to make it around some rocky fortresses, so camp coffee assists us as we get up to tide-race pace. At our base for night two, we’re greeted by large driftwood and stacked logs nearby for wind guar-another wonderful evening of campfire chats and stargazing. We enjoy a rest before our final obstacle of the day, a river crossing.
Nearly 12 kilometers in, we round a point to a gusher of a waterfall known as Calvin Falls, a spectacular backdrop for another perfect beach camp. Among the life-rich tidal flats, reflection pools and five-star surf, our left side is packed with skyscraper-sized trees standing guard and making great homes for eagles and ospreys. To our right, the cinematic ocean sounds sing us Emmy-winning tunes. We stop only for yummy high-energy homemade snacks and to stay hydrated along the way. With the mantra of keeping the ocean to our right, we race the tide tables and follow black bear tracks-rush hour traffic here is simply us and the animals. Camp food is taken to nutritious highs with BCA Tours, and we savor each bite. Chalk us up for a sweet sunset beach fire. Beyond the beach an ocean view expanding into the horizon demands our focus and appreciation. It’s a beauty, a deep playground the length of a football field with a grassy, tree-topped haystack rock formation. First camp comes quickly with a big surf greeting our sandy camp at Third Beach. Trail chatter with our newly acquainted BCA Tours crew quickly bonds us. Staying upright is good, but what’s more magical is the deeper connection with the natural elements that define these coastal hikes. This is Mother Earth’s welcome, a true West Coast Trail greeting, cautioning me not to rush. It forced me to take pause, recognize cedars surrounding me above and the ferns to my side-the city sounds no more.
I gripped my hand on a slimy log, trying to stabilize my slippery stance in the mud before dropping into the soupy mix and ground-up pebbles, billions of earthy flakes attaching to my boots, holding my leg. We took on the well-known West Coast Trail, located in Pacific Rim National Park, as well as the lesser-known North Coast Trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park. A grove of giant greenery welcomed us to the Nootka Island Trail, starting point for multiple wild British Columbia coastal backpacking adventures. We descend with luscious trees on one side and blue, brackish water below. A Nootka Air floatplane delivered us smack dab in the wild side of Vancouver Island, its industrial-size volume churning the misty sky.
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