Hiking The Juan De Fuca Trail A Solo 47km Coastal Adventure

#hiking #outdoors #adventure Hiking The Juan De fuca Trail was a 47km mental and physical test I will not soon forget. I managed to conquer it in 2 nights 3 days. Day 1 Botanical Beach to Litte Kuitshe Creek Campsite 14km. This section was fairly straightforward with some mud, roots, slippery bridges, and beautiful scenery and an amazing start to this unforgettable journey. Day 2 Little Kuitshe to Chin Beach Camp 13km. This section posed even larger mud pits, tougher obsticales such as ropes and collapsed boardwalks, and decrepid bridges and stairs, not to mention climbing tree roots as ladders it was unbelievable. Along this coastal stretch, I passed east sambrio and got to see the most majestic hidden waterfall I have ever laid eyes on. Woke up this day with some pretty serious knee pain took everything I had to navigate and persevere and push past the pain but not like I had a choice my vehicle was still 20km away at China beach parking lot where I caught the trail bus that took me up to the start at Botanical. Day 3 ooo day 3, the toughest leg of the trail, Chin Beach to Bear 12km, and woke up to rain. i was soaked head to toe in the first 20 min. This was nothing short of exhausting up and down through creek valleys just when you think you can't take anymore there was another one along with parts of the trail in the forest section needing some serious route finding abilities the trail disappeared on me and wasn't to well marked balancing on skinny logs and more roots, mud, climbing ropes and unbelievable views. This section really tested your mental and physical capabilities. I managed to make it to bear beach shortly after 11 am and decided to push the final 9km to my vehicle instead of hanging out on a rainy beach for half the day waking up and doing it for another day. After navigating the beach and finding the trail, I was greeted with my first ladder, which was tiring 100m later. After another 3 stacked on top of each other, it hurt so well. This last 8km was slow going and on an easy section of trail non the less. It was a grind. I had to push myself past what I thought I could handle, making it to mystic beach around 2 pm and my second waterfall and last beach of the journey. Was a beautiful thought knowing I had only 2km to go till I was off trail little did I know that 2km was all up hill with massive amounts of staircases and took me another 2 hours to get through as I was pushing 21km on foot that day and beyond exhausted. Seeing the 1km marker was bitter sweet the trail was comming to an end which on one hand I was looking forward to on the other it kinda hit home that this amazing experience was comming to an end and was a bit emotional knowing I tackled the 47km Juan De Fuca Trail A day faster then the original 3 night 4 day plan. Having done this hike in 2 nights 3 days was an accomplishment I still can't explain the feeling of. I pushed myself harder and farther than I have ever done before. It was an experience of a life time my body will always hate me for but it'll be in my mind for the rest of my life knowing that if you want and go for it there is nothing you can't accomplish. It was a journey of personal growth, ambition, and an experience I'll have for the rest of my life. If you want to challenge yourself and see what you're made of go hit the Juan de Fuca marine trail on Vancouver Island, it'll test you mentally and physically, and when you persevere, you'll have memories for a lifetime I met some amazing people on trail, which only made it more memorable. All in all I'm beyond grateful for the experience, the lessons learned and knowing that I'm capable of such and extensive journey not only in body but in mind and doing solo on my own. The Juan de Fuca chewed me up and spit me out the other end but it did not beat me and only made me stronger mentally and physically. Get out there hit those trails that are larger then life you won't regret it.
#thruhike #thruhiking #backpacking #vancouverisland #jdftrail #hikers #coastal #backpacker #hiker #solohiking #backpack #hikingtrails

[@JezelJordan]

That was amazing! What an epic adventure, you really toughed it out and persevered like a champ. I laughed out loud every time you let out that exasperated chuckle, and I could feel you getting more tired as you went but you just kept pushing! I'm happy that I could supply the beer, pizza and hot shower after that journey because you really earned it 💪😎 I can't wait to see what you do next!! Great work buddy

[@JTDOutdoors]

Thanks Jordan so rewarding man. well you seen me on the high from comming off trail lol. Was awesome seeing you guys and meeting your son. The beer pizza and shower hit the spot. Appreciate the hospitality man more then you know. won't be aslong between visits this time the island kinda sucked me in lol.

[@ervinslens]

Brilliant presentation my friend. This adventure looks so picturesque and soothing!

[@JTDOutdoors]

thank you 🙏 it was an unbelievable experience. picturesque yes soothing for the sound and spirit not for the body lol it was a grind

[@robyoung-fd4he]

Nice Work Jeff. My fam met you at China Beach bus pick up and we crossed paths again at Chin. We also seen your sand time marking at Bear. Can’t believe pushed through to China in same day. You are a beast! Thanks for the video.

[@JTDOutdoors]

Hey Rob was a pleasure meeting you guys on trail we had some good laughs comparing our stuggles lol. That moring of day 3 was soooo wet. i was soaked to the bone by the time i hit bear. Haha i was hopng you seen my time stamp lol left it so your group new i wasnt lost somewhere. I boogied chin to bear it wasnt quite as bad as i expected it to be the last 9 km took me longer to get through then i expected 🤣 was at mystic parking lot at about 4pm. Thanks for the comapny at camps maybe see you out on some other trails sometime let me know if your ever in the okanagan ill show you some unbelievable alpine likes. Glad we could share the JDF experience.

[@ExploratoryGlory]

What a great adventure buddy. I don’t do too many long treks, but I’m definitely inspired from this vid. Keep up the good work my friend, I enjoyed it from start to finish. I saw it was 40 minutes and thought I don’t think I have time hahaha but kept watching all the way through.

[@JTDOutdoors]

it was a unreal experience man im already planni g the next big one lol. haha ya it was a little longer the. i expected thats forsure lol

[@joellernowich822]

woah great video thanks for sharing!

[@JTDOutdoors]

any time joelski

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Dude....AWESOME!

[@JTDOutdoors]

Thanks Tim. it was a wild experience man. first thru hike ever definitely not my last. That feeling of accomplishment is something else.

[@LockeOutdoors]

Great Video as per normal! Some amazing views! Now I got to go find another trail!!

[@JTDOutdoors]

Thanks Jeff really appreciate it m. best experience ive had in a very long time. we gotta get on trail together sometime. cant wait to watch it man.

[@adrienjames]

Great video man. You really put it all together well. And what an amazing trip!! Be well 😎

[@JTDOutdoors]

a little to much pov i disnt realize how tough the hike was going to be to film lol

[@UnwiseIsland]

Looks like an amazing adventure, I'd love to do one day

[@JTDOutdoors]

name the time man. I'd gladly take you through this trail. still fighting to get you out on any trail at this point 🤣

[@agesadventures]

Good job🎉🥳 You know going down the slippery mud is quite easy... it's the stopping at the end that is the hard part 🤪 Glad you had fun on the trail! Next one for you will be the West Coast Trail. Now that I've watched this you've inspired me to get off the couch and go for a short hike 😁

[@JTDOutdoors]

thank you. haha love the way you explained that. had an absaloute blast best experience ever. wct is definitely on the list nct as well im im ambitious lol glad it got you on trail that's amazing

[@agesadventures]

@@JTDOutdoors you'll be super fit in no time with those trails 😁 Just got back from a quick 5k hike. I feel better about myself now, lol. Tomorrow I'm gonna look for a 10k and take it slow and enjoy.. Gotta get in good shape for hunting season😁

[@dmc2087]

This is where I live , I was part of the original survey crew for that trail , watching you hike it seems to be a walk in the park now , looks like some trail improvements need to be done again

[@JTDOutdoors]

was super dry and crews were rebuilding some sections . thanks for helping readers such an amazing place

[@BarkEater]

Wow just wow Jeff. Amazing yet brutal trail. Absolutely loved the way you took us along on this one. I seriously felt I was right there with you along the way. That waterfall was pretty sweet in tgat cavern like setting, beaches, waves, mud, hills, bridges its got it all. Ohh man those stairs and ladders on day 3 is why everyone goes the other way lol sucks the shuttle didn't work for you going that way but you kicked that trails ass anyhow. Super cool and this really might of been my favorite long form from you so far. Proud of you buddy 👍 💪 ⛰

[@JTDOutdoors]

Only way I could capture it was pov every time I brought the camera out an obstical came up I need 5 limbs for 🤣. All the views the different terrain were just phenomenal chucked everything at you at once. If I ever do it again it'll definitely be China beach to Botanical I totally see why it's the more popular route. 100% the highlight of any trip I have ever been on. it was a life changing experience.

[@BarkEater]

@@JTDOutdoors absolutely man I could see it really was life changing. Thats beautiful in so many ways 👍

[@JTDOutdoors]

@@BarkEater thanks man. thru hikes are a beast of there own it was quite the experience

[@JohnInDaHouse2015]

i backpacked from Botanical Beach to......Sombero Beach the Northern Half.

[@JTDOutdoors]

that was definitely the nicest section

[@TheMountainRN]

Welcome to the Island ☺️. I did north coast a few year back. Want to do yours one day 😇

[@JTDOutdoors]

how was the north coast?

[@TheMountainRN]

@@JTDOutdoors multiple your trek by 2 : more muds, more up and down. Lots of walk beach with 2 tide dependant.

[@JTDOutdoors]

​@@TheMountainRNsounds like my kind of adventure

[@jackiamato138]

Thank you for such a detailed experience of the Juan de Fuca. Now that you’ve walked this one way, looking backwards.. which direction would you say would be easier on one’s knees?

[@JTDOutdoors]

it's up and down both directions that's forsure don't think there would be am easier direction on the knees necessarily. Mystic to botanical you'd end up getting the hardest section done early bit with a heavier pack. the way I went Botanical to mystic your packs lighter but your more tired for the chin to bear beach section it's really a tough call to be honest

[@jackiamato138]

@@JTDOutdoors thank you.. Way to get out there and do the hike so quickly. Looking forward to when I’m mentally ready to tackle this hike.

[@JTDOutdoors]

@jackiamato138 I would have spent a third night on trail if it didn't start raining on day 3 I just decided to push on instead of spending half a day in my tent at camp lol. wish I didn't push for 2 nights looking back and spent an extra day to enjoy the location

[@Myveryhairyfriend]

Did u find any cool rocks tho?

[@JTDOutdoors]

to many to choose from lol