6 Days of Rainforest Hiking on ICONIC West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island | Pacific Rim National Park

In this video, Maggie and I backpack for six days on the world-famous West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island.

The West Coast Trail is an iconic week long backpacking trip, known for its beauty, wildlife, and difficulty. Of all the hiking adventures I've ever done, this may have been the most beautiful. Stunning old growth rainforest mixed with unbelievable coastal hiking along the Pacific Ocean makes this trip an iconic outdoor adventure. The wildlife in Pacific Rim is also incredible, featuring black bears, cougars, coastal wolves, otters, orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions and so much more.

This coastal rainforest hike features around 100 ladders over 75km through thick, and nearly impenetrable terrain. This trail is also known for its mud, for good reason. There were a couple days on this trip that featured relentless mud. Keep a light backpack and bring trekking poles, and you should be good.

The Gear I Use:
Camera (GoPro): https://amzn.to/4kDn3wT
Camera (Nikon): https://amzn.to/4lseqGF
Nikon Microphone: https://amzn.to/3GJVu79
Zoom Lens: https://amzn.to/4o572TB
Audio Recorder: https://amzn.to/46Jvzaj
Thermal Night Vision: https://amzn.to/3TEgYoT
Tripod: https://amzn.to/40NpyFM
Tent: https://amzn.to/4eNFpdj
Backpack: https://amzn.to/4nJ7yX7
Sleeping Pad: https://amzn.to/3IqtuGg
Hiking Boots: https://amzn.to/46IIsRT
Rain Jacket: https://amzn.to/4nOizX4
Water Filter: https://amzn.to/44ND6m4

  / mikeswanders  

Shout out as always to Joey Coconato of ‪@MyOwnFrontier‬ for inspiring me to make backpacking films. Some other great outdoor channels are ‪@JimBairdAdventurer‬ , ‪@kraigadams‬ , and ‪@OutdoorBoys‬

Music by Epidemic Sound