All Natural West Coast BC

A West Coast Trail Hiking Experience Re-defines Values, Rejuvenates the Spirit:  Seventy-five kilometres (47 miles) of sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and caves, sea arches and endless beaches.  Wish you were here.  For those that traverse the West Coast Trail Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on scenic Vancouver Island, this is one adventure that possesses much more than just wishful thinking.  More like an opportunity to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Indeed, there are journeys that add to your life, then there are those which alter it – dramatically.  Born from tragedy, the West Coast Trail's early beginnings harken back to the sinking of the S.S. Valencia – an iron steamship originally built in Philadelphia.

The Valencia was lost January 22, 1906, off BC's west coast, with a few survivors making their way to the shorelines to navigate the coastline to safety.  Today, this same trail is noted as the "Everest" for hikers – both demanding and gratifying, gruelling and awe-inspiring.  And with 2006 marking the Centennial of the Valencia's fate, it appears as if both timing and inspiration have aligned to motivate explorers to finally take on the quest.  Contrary to popular "myth", the West Coast Trail is not always brimming with would-be adventurers.  With some 8,000 spaces to fill each year (space on the trails is kept to a minimum, so that the pulse-quickening adventure can be experienced to the maximum), there appears ample opportunity to live the dream. 

And while reservations are preferred (July and August prove busy months), early spring and late fall do not require such paperwork.  Should you wish to make the trek during peak season, patience is key, and alternate dates will ensure that yours is a journey not to be missed.  But don't forget, this is one venture where, as the Boy Scouts coined, one must be prepared.  Here, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve proves an ideal resource, both highlighting and bestowing much-needed insider tips and plain-ol "must-haves" for the journey.  Just don't forget your camera and your journal – as you'll want to chronicle every step of the way.  www.pc.gc.ca/pacificrim   
 
Embrace Nature…and all Things Natural:  At Nipika Mountain Resort, situated north of Radium Hot Springs, Mother Nature's bounty offers up an idyllic backdrop for a destination committed to both preserving and celebrating its environment…all within a luxuriously "rustic" setting.  An eco-lodge in every sense of the word, Nipika generates all its electricity via solar and micro-hydro, taking pride that their striking cabins and main lodge are entirely energy self-sufficient. 

In fact, the buildings themselves have been constructed wholly from materials harvested on-site – milled and turned into structures from salvaged dead wood plucked from surrounding forests (the cabins feature fully-equipped kitchens, baths, and furnishings to complement its natural setting).  To mirror its dedication to its surroundings, Nipika possesses a natural emphasis on self-propelled adventure and activity. With its 50-kilometre (30 mile) trail network and offering of winding rivers nearby, the resort beckons visitors to hike, cross country ski, snowshoe, mountain bike, canoe and kayak.  Excursions are boundless.  This spring, full-day Guided Wildlife Viewing Tours by kayak and canoe offer both a rush of adrenaline as well as an ideal showcase for abundant wildlife the likes of bald and golden eagles, bear, moose, elk, and beavers along the Columbia River.  And to see even more of Mother Nature on foot, year-round, full-day guided hikes to Mount Assiniboine and Height of the Rockies Parks will showcase elevation not only of the body, but of the spirit.  Hike to the continental divide, enjoy a hearty trail lunch and soak in the scenery. 

At this stirring destination, all things natural provide a unique wilderness haven for outdoor enthusiasts, in harmony with their spectacular Kootenay Rockies backdrop.  www.nipika.com

February 24, 2006   Posted in: Canada