The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island offers some of the most spectacular and storied hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Home to the world-famous West Coast Trail, once a lifeline for marooned sailors and still among the most breath-taking yet demanding hikes on the continent, the island's western shores also feature lesser-known coastal trails for all abilities. From the tidal pools and pocket beaches of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail to the craggy surf-swept shores of Shushartie Bay and the North Coast Trail, the ten areas covered in this volume will give you a taste of the region's best hiking terrain. This third, fully updated and expanded edition, delivers the detailed trail descriptions, insider tips and clear two-colour maps that hikers have come to rely on plus two entirely new sections on the wild and challenging North Coast Trail extension from Cape Scott and the remote and rarely visited Tatchu coastal hike on the Rugged Peninsula. Less-experienced hikers may enjoy the Juan de Fuca Trail, a southern extension of the West Coast Trail from Port Renfrew to Jordan River, or the trails through the stunning old-growth forest of Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park. For day trippers, there's the Wild Pacific Trail, a northern extension of the West Coast Trail that begins in Ucluelet and heads north over headlands and white sand beaches toward Long Beach and Tofino. And for those who prefer more remote hiking, the northern part of the island offers the rugged Nootka Trail, described by Backpacker magazine as a wild, historic and beautiful trail, or the boardwalk at Cape Scott, where black bears share the windswept beaches with kayakers and the ghosts of shipwrecked crews. From planning the trip, to getting to and from the trailheads, to choosing the most scenic campsites, this is an indispensable guide for the thousands of hikers who use the West Coast Trail each year and for those who will want to use its alternatives.

A pocket guide to hiking the West Coast Trail that provides detailed descriptions of the trail, comprehensive trail maps, and tips for hikers of all skill levels.

A well-illustrated guide to BC's South Coast and the east coast of Vancouver Island, including history and geography. 10 distinct areas are identified with attractions, ecology, amenities, place names, landing and camp sites.

“A treasure-trove of useful, well-organized information on sea-going parenting.” —Gary “Cap’n Fatty” Goodlander, Author of Buy, Outfit and Sail Choosing a boat that is right for your family; handling the naysayers; keeping your children safe, healthy and entertained afloat—this inspirational and comprehensive guide may be just what you need to turn your dream into a reality. The three authors, who have each voyaged thousands of miles with children on board, provide a factual and balanced look at the realities of family life on the sea. From their own experience and with information from interviews with dozens of other voyaging parents, they discuss caring for an infant on board, handling the changing needs of children as they grow, education options, ensuring parents find the private time to keep their relationships in tune, and helping children make the eventual transition back to shore life. Added to the authors’ voices are sidebars from other cruising parents with specialized information on subjects as diverse as handling special diets and how your children can keep in touch with friends around the world. A unique bonus chapter, written by a dozen former cruising kids, looks at the long-term effects of breaking away from shoreside normalcy. A substantial appendix of resources provides valuable further information on the subjects covered in this book. It is said that every parent inflicts their lifestyle choices on their children. Read this book to find why heading out to sea with your children may be the most rewarding infliction of all.

The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island offers some of the most spectacular and storied hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Home to the world-famous West Coast Trail, once a lifeline for marooned sailors and still among the most breath-taking yet demanding hikes on the continent, the island’s western shores also feature lesser-known coastal trails for all abilities. From the tidal pools and pocket beaches of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail to the craggy surf-swept shores of Shushartie Bay and the North Coast Trail, the ten areas covered in this volume will give you a taste of the region’s best hiking terrain. This third, fully updated and expanded edition, delivers the detailed trail descriptions, insider tips and clear two-colour maps that hikers have come to rely on plus two entirely new sections on the wild and challenging North Coast Trail extension from Cape Scott and the remote and rarely visited Tatchu coastal hike on the Rugged Peninsula. Less-experienced hikers may enjoy the Juan de Fuca Trail, a southern extension of the West Coast Trail from Port Renfrew to Jordan River, or the trails through the stunning old-growth forest of Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park. For day trippers, there’s the Wild Pacific Trail, a northern extension of the West Coast Trail that begins in Ucluelet and heads north over headlands and white sand beaches toward Long Beach and Tofino. And for those who prefer more remote hiking, the northern part of the island offers the rugged Nootka Trail, described by Backpacker magazine as a wild, historic and beautiful trail, or the boardwalk at Cape Scott, where black bears share the windswept beaches with kayakers and the ghosts of shipwrecked crews. From planning the trip, to getting to and from the trailheads, to choosing the most scenic campsites, this is an indispensable guide for the thousands of hikers who use the West Coast Trail each year and for those who will want to use its alternatives.

Robert Brown, a twenty-one-year-old Scotsman, arrived on Vancouver Island in 1863 for the purpose of collecting seeds, roots, and plants for the Botanical Association of Edinburgh. Relations with his employer quickly deteriorated, however, and when the opportunity arose in 1864 to head the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition, Brown eagerly accepted the position as its commander. During the four and a half months of the expedition, Brown kept a journal which is published here for the first time. It is remarkable for its record of life on Vancouver Island over a century ago and its description of the island's pristine wilderness as well as for its proposals for future economic development. The accounts of agricultural settlements at Cowichan, Chemainus, and Comox and of the coal-mining town of Nanaimo are among the earliest available.

Now in paperback, the definitive guide to birding in Vancouver. The rugged physical beauty of the west coast of Vancouver Island has long been a major attraction, but its distinctive avian population has also made it a major birdwatching destination. The Birds of Vancouver Island's West Coast presents accounts of all of the species thus far recorded as occurring in the region - 360 in total - and updates the 231 species recorded up to 1978. Each account includes a brief introduction to the species and an overview of its total range. The essential guide to the birds of the region, this book will inform, delight, and surprise amateur and professional birders alike.