GUIDES

You will be paired with a certified ACMG Hiking Guide. The ACMG demands the highest entry standard of any Canadian qualification. Its members are among the best climbers, skiers and backcountry experts in the country. ACMG members are also outstanding teachers and coaches who can help you progress your technical competence, mountain sense and risk management skills. Guides and instructors know their terrain and conditions and will help you achieve success by assisting you in choosing the best objectives for the current conditions.

WHEN IS THIS TRIP AVAILABLE?

This backpacking trip is offered on demand between early May and late September. Available on request. Please reach out to us directly with the dates you are interested in and our team will get back to you right away.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - This is an example of what our itinerary may look like. Weather, group fitness and many other factors may cause the camp locations and the days hiking distances to change.

DAY 1 | ORIENTATION DAY, TOFINO

You will need to arrive at 2:00pm to meet your guide at our office inside Storm Light Outfitters in Tofino. Long Beach Nature Tours will provide you with a detailed PreTrek document upon registration including personal gear list, meeting location and driving directions. Here at our guide hut, your guide will begin the route orientation, discuss the weather forecast, gear check, gear distribution and packing. You will have this afternoon and evening to rest and get any last minute items you may want for the trek ahead starting the following morning as we wont have access to any services after today.

DAY 2 | TOFINO to NOOTKA ISLAND

Travel from Tofino via float plane northbound along the outer coast of Vancouver Island. We will land in the protected waters of Starfish Lagoon on Nootka Island where we will off load our gear and watch the float plane take off as the silence of the rainforest takes hold. Here we will hike to our first camp on the white sand beach a short distance from the drop off point. Today we will focus on instruction, teaching terrain management, hazard awareness and adjusting our equipment for the perfect fit. The rest of the afternoon will be spent learning camping skills: setting up tents, throwing a food hang, rigging a kitchen tarp and relaxing until dibber, sunset and bed. Hiking Distance: 1kmElevation Gain/Loss: 15m/20m

DAY 3 | THIRD BEACH to CALVIN FALLS

Our first full day of the trek, we will have a few steep sections over headlands but mostly beach hiking today. Arrive to camp at Calvin Falls mid to late afternoon and spend the rest of the day swimming in the pool under the falls, explore the beach and intertidal life or just relax until dinner. Hiking Distance: 12kmElevation Gain/Loss: 30m/30m

DAY 4 | CALVIN FALLS to BEANO CREEK

After a big day, we can relax a little and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before hitting the trail. Today's route will be all coastal hiking with little to no elevation gain. After a lunch break at Baja Point we should arrive at our camp again in the early afternoon. Hiking Distance: 11kmElevation Gain/Loss: 0m/0m

DAY 5 | BEANO CREEK to SUNRISE BEACH

This is the longest and most difficult day of the trek. We will be challenged by many ups and downs as we head around Maquinna Point, dotted with lots of pocket beaches, sea caves and stunning coastline. Dinner will be well deserved as we reach Sunrise Beach for our last evening on the trail. Hiking Distance: 9kmElevation Gain/Loss: 300m/300m

DAY 6 | YUQUOT & FRIENDLY COVE

Enjoy our final day with views of Nootka Sound as we head to the historic village of Yuquot, home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation. We will arrive with plenty of time to explore the village and enjoy a picnic lunch in Friendly Cove. Our float plane will pick us up here to bring us on another spectacular flight back to Tofino where we will have our farewell dinner together at one of our favourite local restaurants. Hiking Distance: 4kmElevation Gain/Loss: 30m/30m

INCLUDED MEALS

During this trip, Long Beach Nature Tours will provide group meals consisting of four (4) breakfasts and four (4) dinners. You will need to provide your own lunches and snacks on this hike.

BACKPACKING LUNCHES

We suggest bringing a variety of snack foods to consume while on the move. Throughout each day, we strongly encourage you to take regular, brief breaks, approximately once per hour. These snacks play a crucial role in sustaining a consistent energy level during your hike. Please note that we won't have an extended lunch break, so relying on these snacks is essential. Consider including the following examples of snack foods in your provisions: dried meats (such as salami), jerky (turkey, beef, fish), tuna fish, cheese, crackers, bagels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy bars, gummy candy, cookies, energy bars, and trail mix. Emphasizing the importance of enjoying the foods you bring cannot be overstated. Proper nutrition is key to maintaining strength in mountainous terrain. We recommend a mix of sweet and salty foods to cater to various tastes. When preparing lunches, please avoid bringing items that require cooking or extensive preparation. Opt for convenient and easily accessible options to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

GEAR WE PROVIDE

We provide all group gear which includes the following: | MSR 3 person tents | Synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own) | 70L Backpack (available for rent) | Thermarest sleeping pads | Trekking Poles | Cooking stoves and cookware | Bear spray and food canisters | First Aid Kit | Emergency Communication Device

GUEST PACKING LIST

Upon booking this trip, you will gain access to a downloadable trip information document containing a packing list tailored to the specifics of this route. Essential items for all trips include sturdy hiking shoes or boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder), and additional items specific to each trip. We can provide sleeping bags and backpacks if needed but commonly participants opt to bring their own.