wctrailexp@gmail.com

250~667~3133

A little back story;

2017 I decided it was time to tick the West Coast Trail off my bucket list while I still could. I was inspired by my dad who hiked the trail 42 years prior with three of my brothers... he spoke about his trail achievement with pride for fifty years. Not being a lone hiker, truthfully not being a hiker at all, I started a facebook page to assemble all the information I could into one place then directed family and friends there to coerce them into joining me. 

In 2018 eight of us started out, (that's us on the FAQ page) one of them a random person that found us through the page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/231026500765453  We are now over 42,000+ strong, so much safer and more informed for what is shared in this place. While preparing for the hike it certainly would have been easier for me to have access to this shared information; "forewarned is forearmed". In arranging the hike I discovered how difficult the logistics are even for those of us that live here right between trail heads……. the seed was planted. 

Fast forward to 2019 I am retired and will now try to take the stress out of the logistics for other hikers.  How much simpler can it be? We will pick you up when you land in Nanaimo by air or sea, accommodate you overnight then deliver you to the trailhead for morning orientation the next day, or a day later if you have the time for some sightseeing first.  We can also pick you up at the end of your hike, offer overnight accommodations again and sightseeing before a ride back to your departure location.

The trail beckoned me back 2021 in the middle of Covid, while the trail was only open to Vancouver Island residents I hiked it with my eldest son, Luke.  This time I was confident with such a capable hiking partner and preparation from all the knowledge shared on the facebook page.  It was an epic hike.

Somehow I ended up back on the trail again in 2023 even after saying the last time 'was the last time'.  My fourth brother, Keith, was too young 48 years prior to hike it with our dad and his brothers, it was on his bucket list and I was honoured to be a part of him fulfilling it. We hiked at the end of June and at close to seventy with exceptional conditions I danced through.

An almost last minute cancellation I was on the trail again in 2024. A friend, Virginia, whom I hiked with the first time asked me to join her and her warrior daughters.  We only hiked half as it was the girls first overnight back packing hike plus I'd had no time to train. It rained most of the time so now I can say I have hiked the trail in the best of conditions and the worst.

The question now is will I hike it again?

If we can help with anything please just ask, we are your feet on the ground. Happy trails.

Valerie & Merle Burton

A little something I found on the back of a business card penned by Arthur Schopenhauer Feb 22, 1788 - Sep 21, 1860  

1, Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?