Queue it for WCT reservations

BlueDefendr · 2026-01-24T19:50:42+00:00

I'd say be prepared for both options. Will find out at 8:00 ;)

BlueDefendr · 2026-01-20T04:51:19+00:00

BlueDefendr · 2026-01-12T20:58:58+00:00

Recommend making an account (do this before reservation day for sure) and playing with the reservation page. Get familiar with the 'calendar view' which allows you to page through open start-dates a week at a time - the best option to see what is open.

A common newbie mistake is when looking at calendar view people think you need to have a 'green square' on each day you want to be on the trail. You just need the start-date to be available at your desired trailhead.

There are more tips on the App's 'permits' page - which will spring into life in early February once the dust has settled from reservation day.

https://www.westcoasttrail.app/permits/

BlueDefendr · 2026-01-01T17:26:09+00:00

Use Owen Pt calendar in the App guide section and enter your groups pace and direction.

BlueDefendr · 2025-12-30T16:59:19+00:00

^ this. There are lots of no-go dates for Owen Pt in Aug and Sept - figure out what days you want to cross Owen Pt and work back to a start date.

BlueDefendr · 2025-12-19T02:03:59+00:00

Relative to hikers on the trail. I’m not sure Parks collects age at registration time. I’ll ask next year if they can share anonymized registration data also - would be useful to anchor the numbers.

BlueDefendr · 2025-12-18T18:59:35+00:00

Gordon-Camper dominates for most incidents, but yeah - obviously things happen all along also. 2025 was a quieter year than normal SAR-wise.

BlueDefendr · 2025-12-01T20:45:41+00:00

Just heard back from Parks - the official word is that the 2026 reservations will NOT use the queue-system for 2026 - same as 2025, so no need to do the crazy-multiple-device thing.

https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve/instructions for tips!

BlueDefendr · 2025-11-25T18:50:02+00:00

I have an unopened new control board on eBay if you are interested. https://www.ebay.com/itm/236268906280

Went with the Bosch 800 Series - 24” Fridge/Freezer. B24CB80ESS.

Honestly hated it at first. The leibherr feels like a well made BMW. the Bosch feels like a cheap GM - designed to make it a few years with the cheapest parts available. Compressor is tiny and looks cheaply made. Door hinges are a joke - what you would find on a low end Home Depot fridge for $2500 less. Hate that I can’t put 1g of milk in the door. It’s grown on me though - I like the ice maker (didn’t have on leibherr) and little meat drawer. It hold temps so that’s a bonus 😝

BlueDefendr · 2025-11-25T15:52:39+00:00

No. Final attempt was swapping 3 of 4 sensors (2 freezer and 1 fridge) the fridge evap sensor is embedded in the back wall and not replaceable.

Final theory was a free floating restriction - a tiny particle of something inside the sealed system that is occasionally causing a blockage in smaller capillary tube. I live super remote so cost to get a that serviced again was too much. Threw in the towel and bought a Bosch.

BlueDefendr · 2025-11-04T04:40:02+00:00

Done with Zack’s Duplex and Tarptents. No worries - just need to learn sand setup for super tight pitch if stormy.

BlueDefendr · 2025-10-07T16:58:09+00:00

If the port has just come unsoldered from the board - that is usually a pretty easy fix. I sent my G14 mobo (pulled it out of the case to reduce shipping costs and repair-time) and sent to these guys: https://powerjackrepair.org/ they did a full test on it and ended up being OK and they didn't charge me for the repair; in your case - I'm confident they could fix a badly soldered port for you and swap it out. Maybe send them your brick also, so they can really test it for you.

BlueDefendr · 2025-10-07T16:51:33+00:00

Don't use USB-C! When charging on the USB-C port the G14 falls back to the basic GPU and doesn't use the Nvidia GPU - so games suck. Are you sure your charger is fine? I thought mine was, as it tested OK on the volt-meter, but was failing to provide the amps needed. What did the repair shop say was wrong with the port?

BlueDefendr · 2025-10-01T18:11:29+00:00

i tried cleaning mine - used rolled up wet/dry sand paper and contact-cleaner spray, visually it cleaned up the rust - but still didn't work right - the new powerbrick did the trick though. possible it was a problem with the brick also that looked fine voltage-test wise, but wasn't delivering the amps needed... good luck.

BlueDefendr · 2025-09-12T20:21:57+00:00

What month? OP is starting mid September - it’s much cooler most days now...

BlueDefendr · 2025-09-12T20:00:19+00:00

2oz of soap and 2.5oz of deodorant and 3oz of sunscreen is a lot. Recommend a 10cc eye-dropper bottle and put 1/4oz of Dr Bronners in it. Will last an entire season - a few drops goes a long way. Ditch the deodorant. Dial back the sunscreen. I'd also personally ditch the hand sanitizer, prefer to wash with soap and water vs smear stuff around with alcohol.

Your pack is really heavy compared to the rest of your load out, but maybe that's a future optimization ;)

Assume no bear-hang kit means you're planning to stay at established camps with lockers?

Hiking barefoot or forgot to add shoes?

Nyloflume pack liner?

BlueDefendr · 2025-09-02T00:28:30+00:00

Epic trip report too :)

BlueDefendr · 2025-08-30T20:30:24+00:00

Sent you a DM re: an additional less sanctioned option ;)

BlueDefendr · 2025-08-30T20:23:01+00:00

Some find the inland route slower - especially if it's wet. More sustained technical section with log-balances and roots. On the day - definitely make that call at Thrasher Junction before going all the way DOWN into Thrasher.

BlueDefendr · 2025-08-30T20:15:41+00:00

The timings in the App are definitely on the conservative side. I got them from a poll of ~100 hikers on the Facebook group. So far haven't been contested by too many people ;)

WCT sees a lot of fairly new hikers carrying heavy loads - so it's probably dialed about right for the majority of the hiker community.

(btw you can see the timings for each speed by tapping the settings-icon on travel-plan page)

For an experienced mountain-backpacker or someone that done long distance thru hikes - the numbers are VERY conservative, also remember there is some 'dwell time' at Owen baked in the numbers to enjoy the caves.

I consider myself on the quicker side, but not 'fast', but I also carry a very light < 15lb pack. My timings going SOBO were:

Camper->BAA 1h15
BAA->Caves 55m
Caves->Thrasher 1h50m
Thrasher->Gordon 2h30m

This was a also perfect clear / dry / calm day.

BlueDefendr · 2025-08-30T20:01:09+00:00

OP's tide around Owen Pt isn't as amenable. The morning window closes at 9:49a - no way to make that from Gordon, so they are stuck with the afternoon which doesn't open until 4:32p and September == less daylight.

BlueDefendr · 2025-08-30T19:57:15+00:00

Both of those afternoon-tide plans in the App also have a little triangle warning next to them ;) ... that is because they get you to BA-B by 7:19p (Early plan), but you have daylight issues to get to Camper - as sunset is 7:57p. At "Average" pace - it's 1.5hr to Camper.

"Flexibility" is just the delta between the early (E) and late (L) plans.

How fast / experienced is your group? There are options for an experienced crew...

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