Getting in Shape for Your West Coast Trail Hike
Website design By BotEap.comTraveling four to ten miles with a fifty-pound backpack on a nature hike like the West Coast Trail requires a good level of fitness. What is the best way to prepare? How fit should I be? When should I start preparing? These are relevant questions for anyone planning to take this trip.
Website design By BotEap.comAlthough some cardiovascular preparation is important, the greatest need is endurance. Established mountain trails are often challenging due to elevation gains or losses, but the roughness of the West Coast trail with very poor footing and twisty, windy roads challenges most people’s physical stamina. The West Coast Trail doesn’t contain a huge amount of elevation change, so long, steady, steep uphill trips just don’t happen. There is a lot up and down and around. The forest sections can be especially challenging. The marine platform and boardwalks have a very slippery footing. Walking on sand that gives way underfoot can also be very tiring. The difficulty of the trail often surprises hikers who have not traveled the coastal rain forests and coastlines before.
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Website design By BotEap.comA good way to start your preparation is to start walking every day. Build from there, slowly adding weight. It’s best not to start with a major day hike and heavy pack unless you already do it regularly. Start small, be diligent and consistent about it, and build up the time, distance, and weight. A two-month preparation schedule might look like this:
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Website design By BotEap.comWithout package, 30 minutes walking with shoes every day for 6 days
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