Introduction
it is always heart-breaking when someone gets injured and has to leave the trail. I’ll never forget when one of my clients broke her ankle on a slippery sandstone shelf area just three days into our West Coast Trail journey. We’d been travelling well, moving easily through all the obstacles, including the rugged boulder section near Owen Point. We were feeling confident in our gear and our training. Then, in a split second, her foot slipped, and we both heard that awful crack. I remember her sitting there not moving, then grimacing while we attended to her and I rummaged through my first aid kit.
That moment was a sharp wake-up call for all my other clients on that trip—no matter how prepared you feel, accidents can strike quickly on the West Coast Trail. Unfortunately, she had broken her ankle and we had to call a helicopter to take her out. The terrain is notorious for slippery logs, unstable rocks, and treacherous ladders. In this article, we’ll explore the most common injuries, how to prevent them, and what to do if you or a hiking buddy gets hurt. Because while the WCT is breathtaking, it also demands respect for its potential hazards.
(If you’re concerned about facing the trail’s challenges solo, remember Coastal Bliss Adventures offers guided treks that help minimize risks through expert support and group camaraderie.)
This is the seventeenth article in our How To Hike The West Coast Trail series. You can access the sixteenth article in the series at West Coast Trail Food Essentials.
The Usual Suspects: Common WCT Injuries
From twisted ankles to serious cuts, here are the injuries hikers most frequently encounter:
- Blisters: Simple, but oh so painful. Wet socks, ill-fitting boots, and prolonged foot moisture can result in blister clusters that make each step torture. These are, by far, the most common injuries.
- Cuts and Bruises: Sharp rocks, protruding branches, and fall accidents can leave you scraped up or with deep cuts if you’re unlucky. This is the second most common injury on the trail.
- Sprained Ankles and Knee Strains: With muddy paths and uneven ground, it’s easy to roll an ankle or wrench a knee. Beach stones, wet roots, and boardwalk edges can be surprisingly treacherous, especially when fatigue sets in. This is a common injury, and depending on how bad the sprain or strain, may mean leaving the trail.
- Falls from Ladders or Boardwalks: The WCT’s iconic ladders are thrilling, but one misstep can send you tumbling. Same goes for mossy boardwalks, which can feel like greased ice in the rain. Falls on boardwalks are common, but injuries from them are not nearly as common. Mostly, people “turtle” on the boardwalks, falling onto their backpack—great padding for a fall! Falls from ladders rarely happen (but I, myself, have fallen from one! Luckily, I was not injured at all.)
- Exhaustion, Illness or Hypothermia: The rainforest climate is damp, and coastal winds can chill you. If you’re not fueling and dressing properly, you risk wearing out faster and losing core warmth. Illness is fairly common on the trail. People become careless about hygiene when in the outdoors and share food, and bugs, that lead to illness.
- Serious breaks and other injuries: Falls from slippery boardwalks, wet wood or rocks and getting feet snagged are common; but serious injuries, while not prevalent, are fairly common. Out of the approximately 8,000 annual hikers, about 100 get evacuated because of injury, illness or exhaustion. Broken legs and arms and worse injuries don’t see high incidence, but the news of them travels like wildfire along the trail.
For all of these possibilites, you need to take care. Having some idea about the potential severity and consequences of injuries in a remote location like the West Coast Trail will help you plan for safety.
Prevention: Small Habits, Big Impact
Preventing injuries on the West Coast Trail often boils down to consistent, mindful habits rather than big sweeping measures. For instance, if you’re prone to foot blisters, a simple routine of changing into dry socks once midday can save you from agony later. If you know your ankles are weak, bring ankle braces or trekking poles for extra stability, or making sure your boots have a full shank will provide more support.
Foot Care and Proper Footwear
A lot of WCT injuries revolve around feet—slips, twists, and blisters. Invest in high-quality, waterproof boots with decent ankle support. Stiffer boots (full shank) provide much better ankle support, especially when carrying extra weight, like a backpack. Break them in on smaller hikes before the big one. Also, pack multiple pairs of moisture-wicking socks. At camp, let your feet breathe, applying an anti-blister product or moleskin if you notice any hot spots.
Pacing and Group Awareness
Rushing leads to sloppy footwork and mistakes on ladders or near cliffs. Take your time—especially in the late afternoon when fatigue can blur your focus. If you’re in a group, communicate clearly. Encourage breaks if someone’s lagging behind or showing signs of exhaustion. Peer pressure can prompt some hikers to push too hard, upping the risk of missteps. A quick rest now can prevent a big injury that ruins everyone’s trip.
(Pro Tip: Guided expeditions through Coastal Bliss Adventures promote team awareness, ensuring no one feels compelled to exceed their comfort level just to keep up.)
Injury Prevention Tips
- Warm Up: Do a few simple stretches before starting your hike, or when tackling ladders or rocky sections.
- Use Trekking Poles: They help stabilize you on slippery surfaces and take some strain off your knees.
- Mind the Tide: Don’t rush across wet, seaweed-covered rocks at the last minute. Timely tide management prevents last-second scrambles.
- Secure Your Pack: An unbalanced load can alter your center of gravity, increasing fall risk.
- Stay Hydrated and Fed: Low energy levels often lead to sloppy footwork and slower reaction times.
- Slow down as the day wears on: Fatigue is one of the biggest causes of injuries. Plan your timing of your day so that you can slow down later in the day, well before you get to camp, to lessen the risk of accident and injury.
First Aid Essentials
Despite your best efforts, accidents happen. Having a robust first aid kit is crucial. Focus on treating the most likely issues:
- Blister Care: Pack molefoam, moleskin, or hydrocolloid bandages. Alcohol wipes help clean the area before applying protective coverings.
- Sprain or Strain: An elastic bandage or wrap can stabilize an injured joint until you reach a more equipped station or decide to exit. Bring an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to manage pain and swelling.
- Cuts and Scrapes: At minimum, carry antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and sterile gauze. Tweezers help remove debris from wounds.
- Pain Relief: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can handle minor aches. For severe pain, some hikers pack stronger prescription meds, but that’s a personal choice to discuss with a doctor beforehand.
In a group setting, coordinate who carries what. Redundancies aren’t a bad thing, but you also don’t need five identical first aid kits. If you’re going with multiple friends, divide items like bandages, wraps, and antiseptics to spread the weight around. Take a first aid course before you go. First aid courses also help you with planning because they refresh your risk considerations and how to manage them.
Dealing with an Injury Mid-Trail
So, let’s say you or a buddy sprains an ankle far from the nearest exit. First step: stop and assess. Don’t try to “walk it off” if it’s serious. Elevate the limb and apply a wrap for compression. If the pain is manageable, you might continue at a slower pace, adjusting your itinerary or calling for help if it worsens. If it’s unbearable (pain-wise), or if it is impossible to bear weight or there’s a noticeable deformity, you might need an evacuation.
Evacuations on the West Coast Trail aren’t instant. Rangers rarely patrol the trail. It could be hours (or longer) before help arrives, especially in bad weather. That’s why carrying a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator can provide extra peace of mind. Most cell phones will work at the shore where there is line-of-sight with Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula. Parks will give you an emergency number you can call if there is an accident. If you’re truly stuck without communication, you can send someone with a message form (also provided by Parks) for assistance. But remember, the WCT is remote, and rescue operations here require coordination—helicopters or boats might be involved, and that’s never a swift process.
Knowing When to Turn Around
No one likes to bail on a bucket-list hike, but sometimes it’s the wise move. If an injury seems likely to deteriorate or you’re experiencing symptoms that could lead to a more severe condition (like persistent dizziness or extreme swelling), it’s better to exit early. The WCT has exit points like Nitinaht Narrows where a water taxi can shuttle you out. Being stubborn in the face of a growing injury might leave you stranded in a worse condition further along the trail.
That’s not giving up—it’s being responsible. The West Coast Trail will still be there next season (baring major environmental changes). Your health isn’t worth jeopardizing for the sake of an itinerary. If you bail, at least you have a dramatic story about that twisted ankle on a rainy boardwalk, right?
Emotional Toll and Trail Community
Injuries can bring an emotional dimension to the trip. You might feel guilt about slowing others down, or fear that you’re failing. But the WCT community is remarkably supportive. You’ll often find strangers offering tape, medications, or moral support if they notice you hobbling. A few kind words from a fellow hiker can transform frustration into motivation to carry on or, if necessary, to bow out gracefully.
It helps to remember that most hikers have had a scare or mishap themselves. Sharing those stories can relieve the sting of embarrassment—after all, this trail is known to challenge everyone. No shame in acknowledging that you need a longer break or a helping hand.
Conclusion: Safety First, Adventure Second
West Coast Trail injuries aren’t inevitable, but they’re also not rare. The route’s rugged beauty comes with risks that demand a respectful approach. By training properly, packing the right gear, and maintaining an awareness of your surroundings, you reduce the chance of twisted ankles or mishaps on ladders. And if something does go wrong, a well-stocked first aid kit and calm decision-making can keep a bad situation from spiraling.
In the end, the WCT is an incredible journey, but it’s not worth sacrificing your well-being. Yes, you’ll get muddy. Yes, your legs might ache. But you shouldn’t have to limp out with a serious injury if you can help it. Focus on prevention, stay flexible in your itinerary, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from fellow hikers or professional guides like Coastal Bliss Adventures.
So lace up those boots, fasten those ankle braces, and head out with confidence. The trail’s challenges won’t vanish, but by being prepared, you’ll stack the odds in your favor. And if an obstacle does knock you down—literally or figuratively—you’ll have the knowledge and tools to get back up and keep exploring Canada’s most iconic coastal hike.