People keep saying the West Coast Trail is a 7-day hike, but that's a bad plan for most folks.

I see this posted all the time, that you should book the full 7 nights for the trail in BC. The problem is, that schedule forces 15 km days with heavy packs over ladders and mud. I did it in 5 nights last August, and my group saw way more people getting hurt or exhausted by day 4 trying to keep that 7-day pace. The permit system pushes you to pick dates so far ahead, you don't know your group's fitness. Should the standard advice be to plan for 6 or 7 days but be ready to finish faster if you can?

5 comments

5 Comments

wadew512mo ago

Sounds like a good way to blow out a knee.

hollyl252mo ago

The permit system forces that rigid 7 day plan.

joel_jones1mo agoMost Upvoted

I used to be all about that 7 day plan myself until a buddy wrecked his ankle on day 3 last year @kim.jake you're spot on about the permit system setting people up for failure, 5 days worked way better for my crew too.

kim.jake2mo ago

That rigid 7-day plan hollyl25 mentioned is exactly why so many people get hurt.

betty_kelly91mo ago

5 nights in August" is solid but that's still 6 days, not 5.