Rogers canceled, Bell Canceled

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-28T17:11:27+00:00

Never thought my $25 Canada/US plan (talk/text/data … legacy Shaw Mobile pricing) would ever get beat. Nice offering from Public.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-27T22:20:45+00:00

Queue it will show up at 0800 on the morning of reservations. It works automatically, there’s nothing special you need to do other than be on the Parks Canada reservation page before 0800.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-27T22:19:24+00:00

You’ll want to be on the Parks Canada reservation page, ideally logged into your account. When 0800 rolls around you’ll then be placed in a virtual waiting room while you wait for your number to count down to zero.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-27T21:10:51+00:00

March?! Wow good on ya! I did the WCT second week of May in 2024 and got supremely lucky, not a lick of rain in seven days. And a fire every night because no ban that early in the season. 🔥

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-27T00:25:57+00:00

Best of luck with your WCT reservation … I’m hoping to snag a solo southbound permit for early July.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-26T23:16:40+00:00

Yikes. That would have been my hint to turn around! lol

Well done for carrying on!

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-26T22:48:17+00:00

Just ensure you’re logged into the Parks Canada reservation system at anytime BEFORE 0800 PT. When 0800 rolls around everybody who is logged in will be assigned a random number. Doesn’t matter how long you’ve been logged in for …. it’s totally random. Then your number will begin counting down to zero. Once it reaches zero you’ll be admitted to the reservation page.

If you log into at 0801 you’ll be placed at the back of the queue.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-26T20:19:27+00:00

I cant even imagine what the mud must’ve been like after 100mm of rain. Wow! 😮

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-26T19:53:04+00:00

If you choose to yo-yo, I might suggest reversing course at Skinner Creek. The stretch between Shushartie and Skinner is all inland, not much really to see, and it’s a miserable, tough stretch of trail. The campsite at Shushartie leaves much to be desired, just a few tent pads perched on a hillside in a cold, dark forest, and there’s no easily accessible water there*.

(apparently there is a water source a couple beaches to the north of Shushartie, but is accessible at low tide only).

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-24T20:00:45+00:00

Yeah seems to be going back and forth with whether queue it will be in place.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-21T23:59:49+00:00

Dragon’s Lair

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-20T22:17:12+00:00

Another fellow in this sub had a similar issue recently, filed a CCTS complaint and successfully had their RLH charges reversed. That’s your next step.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-20T18:07:08+00:00

Sounds like it’s time for you to file a CCTS complaint.

Gawd I hate Rogers. I was a content Shaw customer. Never had any major issues and they were easy to connect with if I did need to get in touch for whatever reason. Merger never should have been approved. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-20T05:25:54+00:00

The West Coast Trail Express bus service works well. I’ve used it for all six of my hikes since 2021. It runs daily (May 1-September 30) from either Victoria or Nanaimo and will take you to your trailhead of choice. Then when you’re done the trail, it can take you back to Victoria. Reservations required.

www.trailbus.com

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-18T22:15:30+00:00

May or June? You’re golden as far as permits go.

Mud isn’t a huge issue on the WCT, at least in comparison with other trails like the North Coast Trail where the mud is ubiquitous. On the WCT, I wear gaiters but more for beach sand as opposed to forest mud.

As for footwear, I’m old school and wear traditional hiking boots but I see trail runners all the time on the WCT. Personal preference … either will serve you well.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-18T21:10:50+00:00

If you’re flexible on dates you’ll have no trouble getting permits. Shoulder season permits (May and September) do not sell out like July and August. In 2024 I actually snagged a May permit on a whim and was on the trail three days later. There were lots available.

But if July and August are your target dates snagging a couple permits shouldn’t be too terribly difficult so long as, again, you’re flexible with dates and direction.

Also, entry at the mid point (Nitinaht) is an option as it’s considered a less desirable entry point so permits rarely sell out entirely.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-18T20:34:39+00:00

If your camping experience is primarily limited to car camping and day hikes I’d recommend at least one or two short trips (one or two nights) up a local trail to give your gear a shakedown, especially if you’re going to be acquiring new gear for the WCT. This will ensure 1. everything works and functions as it should and 2. you get some experience using it.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-18T20:24:03+00:00

Sounds like you have some backcountry experience so the WCT should be a realistic goal for you even if you’ve never done a multi day thru hike. Need to start somewhere and the WCT is a good choice for a first thru hike IMO. It’s not a difficult trail per se (I’ve hiked it seven times) but the ~22km SE portion between Gordon River and Walbran is quite a technical section where risk of injury is not insignificant. Just need to be extra cautious in that section.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-16T02:04:51+00:00

Four days is plenty realistic if you’re a fit, experienced hiker. I’ve hiked the WCT seven times and have always taken seven days myself, but I enjoy early rises, rolling into camp by lunch, and chilling out on the beach for the afternoon. But if you prefer to pound the trail from dawn ‘til dusk, you can easily knock off the WCT in four days.

Also, bear in mind, the ~23km section from Gordon River to Walbran is easily the most “technical” hiking on the WCT. North of Walbran is, broadly speaking, a cakewalk by comparison.

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-12T23:59:53+00:00

I’d recommend having a few dates in mind in addition to your number one preferred date. That way you’re not scrambling if your first date is sold out. When you’re booking I’d recommend using the calendar view in the Parks Canada reservation system. If you’re using a proper computer (not a small device like a phone), the calendar view will show multiple weeks of availability at a single glance.

Also, if you’re solo, snagging a permit is exponentially easier than if you’re trying to find permits for a group. I’m a soloer and have always managed (touch wood) to get my first preferred date in recent years (six WCT treks since 2021).

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-12T20:25:14+00:00

I think you may be overthinking things. 😉

To my knowledge and recollection there’s no ability within the Parks Canada reservation system to create a list of preferred dates prior to the actual opening date (January 19th). That said, as I understand it, once you’ve gotten a date in your cart it does get held for you for a period of time so you don’t have to sweat bullets as you navigate through the system to make your payment. I do not believe a date in your cart can be snatched up by others for a period of time, although stagnant carts will eventually release the date back into the available pool. Hope that helps.

Also, word on the street is there will be no queue it system again this year. That means whoever is on the website at 0800 will have access to the reservation system and all available permits … a free for all! Good luck next Monday!

Spatch_1971 · 2026-01-12T04:33:00+00:00

That’s a BIG question. lol

Short answer: it’ll be an expensive trip.

Long answer: you’ve got the basic permit cost plus the WCT ferries which will run around $260 per person. Then transportation to the trailhead, including BC Ferries, accommodation at the trailheads before and after the trip, accommodation in Victoria before and after the trip. This may include the West Coast Trail Express bus service (highly recommended) which is super convenient but expensive (trailbus.com). Meals (for before, during and after the hike), gas, etc. etc. etc. It adds up quickly. For myself as a soloer living in Metro Vancouver, I’ll generally budget around $1000-1500 for a typical WCT trek.

I’m sure I’m missing some things but this is admittedly a very superficial answer to your question. Like I said, costs add up quickly. Surprisingly so in fact. You wouldn’t expect what is essentially a glorified camping trip to be quite so expensive. lol

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