Keeping Dry on the North Coast Trail

If you are hiking or camping on the coast of BC, youprevent a lot of wetness inside of boots. For the
are going to have to plan for wet weather, andNorth Coast Trail, gaiters are essential gear. Boggy
probably, wet everything that you brought. Some ofupland trails are part of the whole length, and trying
the coastal hikes in BC are wetter than othersto go around them is next to impossible and very
because of the Pacific exposure or more northerntime consuming. Walking straight through muddy
location. The North Coast Trail in Cape Scottpatches and puddles can save an hour a day or
Provincial Park on Vancouver Island and the Naikoonmore. With a 20 to 25 kg pack on your back, that
Trail in Naikoon Provincial Park in Haida Gwaii (themakes a difference. Inevitably, your feet get wet, if
Queen Charlotte Islands) are two relatively wellnot from external moisture, from sweat. Take
developed hikes that are prone to extremes of thisenough pairs of socks to try to have dry feet each
type of exposure, but any other Vancouver Island orday. This helps prevent blisters and other foot
Washington State coastal trail would qualify. To beproblems.
comfortable in this environment, you will need toThe next level of dryness is at the camp level. There
figure out how to deal with the moisture. And that'sare a number of things you can do to help prevent
just what we are going to do here.moisture from getting to you and your gear. The
First, let's look at hiking. The most important part oftype and quality of gear make these methods more
dry, warm hiking is the system you have for youror less easy. Your tent is your main shelter against all
clothes. The clothes need to be the right fabrics forelements. It needs to be appropriate and up to the
staying dry and warm. Anything cotton is a big no-notask. An optional tarp is very helpful, and can even
on coastal trips. Cotton gets wet easily, is difficult tobe a quick, emergency shelter when needed. As with
dry, and cools your body off very rapidly. Yourclothing, tents and tarps have become lighter and
mantra should be "No Cotton!" Better fabrics aremore flexible over the past few years. The balance
polyester (fleece), polypropylene or merino wool.between function and weight is extremely important
There are a number of high tech applications of allfor hiking trips. Modern tents are built to keep out
these materials for outdoor use. I won't namemoisture and handle strong winds, both of which are
brands, but your outdoor store, work wear store, orcommon on the North Coast Trail and the Naikoon.
ski shop can help you with lines of clothing and withYou must be familiar with the operation of your tent
fabrics.before you leave. Details are important. Know how
The right fabrics need to be worn in the right layers.to stake it out and tighten the fly to prevent water
You need a base layer that wicks moisture awayfrom entering. Pay attentions to how far out the fly
from your body, a mid layer of insulation, or two, oris staked because rain spatter from the ground can
three, and an outer layer that sheds water. Whileenter the tent under the fly. Understand how to
hiking, you will want to keep the insulation layers lightplace the ground sheet to prevent water from
and keep the outer rain gear layer handy, but off if itcollecting under the tent. Know how to use the
is not raining. Heat loss can be dramatic and can beventilating systems to prevent condensation inside
fast. When stopping for a break with packs off,the tent as well. Tents collect moisture by being the
immediately throw on some of your insulating layers,barrier between the moist environment and you.
and especially a hat, to retain your warmth. There isWhen you pack up the tent, know how to fold it
some practice and skill in how to pack these things.and roll it to minimize water transfer to other
But that is another article. You need a dry set ofobjects. Make sure you have plastic garbage bags for
clothes just for camp, and this set needs to be in anthe tent and the fly to prevent the moisture from
absolutely waterproof bag inside your pack. This setgetting other things inside your pack wet.
of clothes may include another dry base layer, but atModern lightweight tarps are a great way to help
least needs to be enough insulating layer to keep youprevent moisture from invading everything you have.
warm with little or no activity. I usually hike with twoThey provide an important shelter for cooking and
light and one mid-weight fleece tops, plus an extraeating areas, and can be placed to cover the door of
base layer just in case, and a fairly heavy pair ofyour tent so you can enter and exit without getting
fleece pants. I use my rain gear as a wind break andwet. This is really helpful when having to shed wet
an extra heat retention layer.outer layers before entering the tent or having a dry
Your bagging system is vital to maintaining dryness.place to put on rain gear and boots before breaking
The old standard of plastic garbage bags inside stuffcamp. Make sure you have some knowledge about
sacks does work, but need some extra care andhow to set up a tarp to provide protection and for
attention to maintain. The past few years have seenshedding water. It's not rocket science, but a little
extremely lightweight dry sacks brought to theknowledge and practice make it much easier when
market. You can get these in various sizes, which ishaving to do it in the field with rain coming down and
what you need. Again, this is where your outdoorwith cold hands.
store can help you tremendously. If you are dealingLast, there are a few things that add extra comfort
with larger bulky items, such as a sleeping bag, thenwhen a trip is cold and wet. A Nalgene, or other
you have some other issues and options.drinking bottle, can be used as a hot water bottle
Sleeping bags come in several varieties. The oldinside clothing layers while finishing set up or cooking
Coleman cotton/wool bags are absolutely notand eating dinner. These are also very nice inside
appropriate for coastal areas. They are bulky, notsleeping bags at night. Small chemical hand warmers
really very warm, and extremely difficult to dry. Thecan also help keep the digits warm, especially when
most bomb proof bags are synthetic fill bagshaving to do some fiddly, detailed work with hands,
because they retain their insulating capabilities even iflike repairing equipment, or even cooking. Camp
wet. Of course, it is best to keep them dry becausetowels, made to be extra light and absorbent can be
they add weight when wet, and just to be safe, dryused to extract water from clothing or boots, or just
is always best for warmth. Down bags can work, butto wipe down the inside of a wet tent or sleeping
they take extra care. Down bags lose their insulatingpad. If you are lucky enough to get a night in a good
ability if the feathers get wet. Both the down andshelter or can build a fire, you may be able to dry
synthetic fill bags can be bulky, but can beout some things, giving them and extra use or
compressed easily. Very lightweight compressionlessening the weight of your pack a bit.
bags are available. A plastic bag can line the inside ofKeeping dry and warm is essential for really enjoying
the compression bag, or the whole compression bagcoastal hiking on the North Coast Trail and other
sleeping bag can be put into a lightweight dry bag incoastal trails. What you bring to do those jobs is
the end.paramount. Modern materials and equipment make it
The North Coast Trail and the Naikoon involve somemuch easier than in the past, being both good for
creek or river fords, so boot protection is important.warmth and moisture protection, as well as being light
Make sure your boots are completely waterproofin weight. Simple techniques and a little knowledge
before leaving. If they are leaking, try to repair theand planning go a long way to make sure you stay
leaky areas and apply conditioning/waterproofingwarm and dry. Starting with your self, then moving
compounds to the leather and other upper materials.out to your camp equipment and practices, it is
If water is above the boot top, there is no way topossible to do a really good job of staying dry, and
stop the water from getting in. Mud puddles are acertainly of staying warm. On your next coastal hike,
different matter. Gaiters that connect to the top andput these principles to action and have a warm and
bottom of hiking boots and run up the leg candry trip.