Blisters and Bliss: A Trekker's Guide to the West Coast Trail

by David Foster, Wayne Aitken, Nelson Dewey (Illustrator)

Each year, thousands of trekkers tackle the seventy-five-kilometre West Coast Trail between Bamfield and Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. And for over twenty-five years, this book has been the definitive guide to the world-famous trail. This seventh edition is completely up to date and expanded to include the latest on trail information, reservations, travel connections, and trekker tips. The illustrations are a delight, and the book includes special sections for northbound and southbound hikers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Outdoors

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1991

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Reviews

[Kailea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative read as I hope to do the West Coast Trail this summer. I will definitely bring it along with me on the journey, assuming we secure a reservation. The illustrations were a delightful touch, adding an appreciable amount of humour, and the maps of course are always helpful.

[Brie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compact little guide to prepare one for hiking the west coast trail. Tons of detail pertaining to each section of the trail. Was surprised that there was no mention of bear or cougar safety and that the authors encourage sleeping with your tent flaps open!

[Keisha Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book on hiking bc west coast trail. Some maps directions and tips for parts of each. No packing list, weather list, recommendations for fitness level.

Meant for experienced hikers because trail is for experienced hikers. Several people need to be rescued each year. Sadly park books up fast. Probably for the best.

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource to prepare for the West Coast Trail. I regret not bringing it with us when we did the hike. We figured one book among the 4 of us would be enough but we could have used our own copy.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if your going to hike the WCT.

[Lreid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, informative read if you're interested in hiking the trail

[Elaisha Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

let’s send it works!

Easy read with interactive map. I wish Ou coif send h whole thing on a single page! Good tips. Hope it all checks out! Fingers crossed!

[Caitlynn Legris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man. We are in for a suffer fest.

Thanks for the info!!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resources inside, and good insight on trail

[Renelle ST · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. Made me feel confident to do it alone.

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful guide and somewhat humorous at times guide to the West Coast Trail hike. Was fun to read while doing the hike. I now have West Coast Trail Smug.

[Kaede (Kry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading blisters and bliss was truly an intriguing-.. so I actually got this book a long while back so that I could read it before I went on the trail with my family and some friends. But I never got to it.

Though, now reading it after, I've definitely found some stuff that really could've helped me with avoiding feet pain and whatnot. Little sad that I never got to get anything from Chez Monique's but did get to see what it looked like after closing. We did however get to visit the Crab Shack and man did they have good grilled cheese and baked potatoes.

Again I did the trail just last summer but I got some good memories on that trail, I remember waking up real early to get to Camper Bay, and swinging on the tire in Bonilla Point.

Ps.
You didn't hear this from me but I'd love to do it again. Probably continue South to North as to how that was easier to get the hard stuff finished first.

[Kindle of Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much less unprepared now!

My girlfriend and I are preparing to hike the WCT the closing week of 2019. We both stumbled onto your book (the digital version for me, the ‘study and touch and squeeze’ version for her) separately, and I just finished it. Really have a much better feel for what’s ahead of us now, and I very much appreciated the humorous writing style, the trail trivia, maps, and illustrations. Thank you for helping us prepare. Our odds of surviving are so much greater now! :)

[Donovan Mattole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend bought me this book as motivation for our planned hike of the "West Coast Trail" in Sept 2013. Unlike most trail guides that you just open to read about certain sections, I enjoyed reading this cover to cover over the past two days. Has really motivated me to make the trek next year. Well written.

[Rob Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile, indispensable and famous guide to a world-class hiking trail. I would recommend that those attempting the West Coast Trail make sure that they carry this but that they supplement it with a map and the advice distributed at the mandatory ranger's briefing.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to do this trail! The only thing I would add would be actual photographs. Otherwise, 5 stars!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authoritative, helpful, and complete. You can tell this ain't the authors first rodeo (or first time hiking this amazing trail!).

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, excellent cartoons and provided great information for my own journey. A must read if you are planning on doing the hike.

[Kerry Meservia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We met these guys while hiking the wct. They were super friendly and signed my book for me.

[Shannon Lirondelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny and informative, good to have for the trail.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ultimate book for the West Coast Trail.