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I live on Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada. it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  People come here from all over the world, to hike our beautiful West Coast rain forest. This is something I have always wanted to do and never felt that I was fit enough, strong enough or capable enough. I have hiked my whole life, on local mountains and trails with my Dad and siblings. My sisters and I started hiking together again, with our children, many years back. We would go  backpacking on 3 or 4 day, overnight  hikes up Strathcona Park, here on Vancouver Island, every summer. It was amazing and truly refueled my love of hiking.

We continued with this summer tradition for several years until one of my sisters I got very sick and needed a kidney transplant. For some reason we never resumed our group hikes, but it always left a void in me. I would do little day hikes here and there, but I longed for that adventure of the overnight backpacking, pushing my body and soul to the limits and becoming one with nature.

I turned 50 this year and I decided, there is no time better than now to take advantage of this beautiful place that I live in, and  hike the West Coast Trail once and for all. Finally I will be able to check that off my bucket list. I am only going to get older, my body is going to get more tired, and less strong as I age. What am I waiting for? I call myself a hiker, and yet I have  never explored the West Coast Trail; it’s time! I’m doing it ! No more talking about it.

Once I decided I was going to do this I knew I had to get in shape it is a very difficult hike. It is truly, Mother Nature at her best, so I wanted to make sure that I was going to be capable a finishing the  hike without too much misery.  Hundreds of people hike this trail per year and some need to be  rescued, because they weren’t prepared for the terrain and conditions. I certainly do not want to be one of these people who have to get medevaced  out of there.

So here begins my journey, to prepare for the hike of my lifetime, the West Coast Trail. I hope you will follow along with me through my struggles and triumphs. I will post updates and images along the way, of me preparing for this adventure. Maybe I can inspire you to do something that you have always wanted to do, but for whatever reason have never done it. We only live once that we know of, why not now? Let’s do this!

 Please feel free to give me feedback and encouragement. I am sure I will need and appreciate it.