Day 2… (August 27th)

A lovely morning sun greeted us and we languished in its warming rays. Speed was definitely not on the agenda and breaking camp took till 10am!

From Darling River, we had about 3Km of beach before we had to re-enter the forest at Tsocowis Creek. (Valencia Bluffs (about 1 Km further,) is impassable via the beach.)

We had quickly learned that though the forest was beautiful, it’s many challenges of mud, logs, ladders and booby-trap board walks made slow going for Sarah.

At Km-19, we passed a derelict Steam Donkey – used by loggers many years before, to haul away the old-growth giants that used to inhabit Vancouver Island’s West Coast.

At Km-20 (Trestle Creek) we re-joined the beach – or more accurately the sandstone flats.

We made great progress, with the only hindrance being our exploration of the myriad tidal pools.

Up to this point Sarah had been using her carbide-cleated hiking tips. The articulating ball & socket meant the sole could retain good contact with the uneven surfaces that she walked on. Sticky mud proved arduous because tremendous suction would build up as she hauled them out, however wet wood and slippery rock were easily handled.

As we approached Klanawa river, the sandstone gave way to sand and so Sarah attached the sand-shoe tips. The difference was amazing, and instead of sinking several inches on every step, she floated on top of the sand and was able to set a pace that I found difficult to keep up with!

At Klanawa we left the beach and crossed the river via cable car. It was a fun experience and Abi did it twice – just because.

Klanawa River to Tsusiat Falls comprised 2 Kms of cliff-edge trails & board walks. The views were magnificent, and the advancing fog added a surreal glow to the stark landscape.

As we approached the long ladder climb down to the beach at Tsusiat Falls, the mud claimed one of Sarah’s hiking-tip soles. We stopped to attach a new tip, however the double effort of navigating the mud and pulling the SideStix out of the mud was extremely fatiguing.

The day ended with a nice (re-hydrated) meal, hot-chocolate and a beautiful sunset. We had experienced just about every terrain that the WCT had to offer… and we were still smiling!