Sunshine Coast Trail

Access, Permits and Fees

There are numerous trail access locations around the Sunshine Coast area. Consult a map. A Malaspina Coach lines runs busses daily from Broadway and Cambie to Powell River and vice versa. There does not appear to be any fees that are required, but edit this if there actually is.

Items

Winter hiking checklist for northern half of SCT: * indicates necessity

• Rewaterproof equipment (boots, jackets)
• *Gaiters
• *Boots + sandals or any breathable footgear
• *Breathable rainpants (or just wear your fleece longjohns)
• *Very waterproof jacket (breathable or non breathable)
• *Synthetic clothing for all items, especially undergarments
• Winter clothing, including sleeping bag
• Stoves
• Tents (bivy sacks are lighter and quicker to setup/setdown)
• *Tarp (tents have failed me numerous times, whereas tarps haven't)
• Double bag clothing in garbage bags or dry sacks
• Dry food only; no cans
• *Candles and headlamp
• Multiple pairs of socks
• Toilet paper
• *Duct tape
• Snowshoes; I don't think we'll see snow, but it's up to you.
• *Salt (dangerous to have low salt in blood)
• *Baby powder

Remember, nothing is waterproof. Everything you bring will get soaked, so the strategy isn't about keeping things dry so much as making sure things stay warm even when wet.

The foot problem - after a couple of days in wet boots, your foot will exhibit acute decomposition. You can prevent a great deal of grief with large amounts of baby powder. When blisters form, you can either use duct tape, or buy a roll of athletic tape and some second skin gel pads, and securely tape that onto your wounds. This requires copious amounts of tape that probably shouldn't be taken off until after the trip is over, but it'll make hiking far more pleasant for your feet.

External Links

General Information

West Coast Trail Bus