Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Fall/Winter 2019 | Page 21

CAMPING IN THE FURY
of a COASTAL STORM
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN ENTWISTLE
ome time around 4:00 am, we’re awoken by the sound of a
tent peg being ripped from the ground. This is followed by
the unmistakable noise of our tent fly flapping uncontrollably
in the wind. We knew that if we didn’t rise to secure the tent,
we would be in for a very wet morning. Reluctantly, I donned
my rain gear and ventured out into the elements. It was mid-
November and this ocean-side camping vacation was quickly
becoming anything but a vacation.
The winter storms that roll across the Pacific Ocean
gather steam as they smash into the shore and they can be
relentless. But for those willing to brave the elements, there
are incredible rewards. Storm watching on Canada’s west
coast has been gaining popularity for several years now, with
several outfitters providing storm-watching packages for
those wanting to discover the wild weather in all its glory.
In my experience, the most authentic form of storm
watching comes when there’s nothing between you and the
elements but the four walls of your nylon tent.
Due to the temperate climate on the west coast of
Vancouver Island, the winter seasons tend to be quite a bit
different than what’s most commonly associated with the
notion of “a Canadian winter.” Although this area rarely sees
the heavy snow and freezing cold temperatures that plague
the rest of the country, there’s an entirely different set of
challenges on the wild west coast.
The winds that bluster off the frigid Pacific Ocean are
relentless, bringing with them sheets of rain that will penetrate
all but the most sophisticated of waterproof equipment. For
winter camping in these conditions, having appropriate gear
is paramount. Items such as waterproof tarps to provide a
reprieve from all forms of precipitation can be crucial—as
long as you have enough rope and tie-downs to keep them
in place!
S
There are two small fishing villages on either end of the
Pacific Rim Highway, otherwise known as BC 4: Tofino is
situated to the north, Ucluelet to the south. Along the highway,
there are several camping options in private campgrounds
and within Pacific Rim National Park, which is nestled in
between the two villages. Though the entire area is a wildly
popular destination in the summer, the winter months often
see the beaches empty, apart from the resident seals, errant
driftwood and a few brave souls.
The entire length of the coast contains numerous points
of interest for adventure seekers. You can find everything
from an easy gravel path walk along the Wild Pacific Trail
in Ucluelet, to a meandering wooden boardwalk filled with
countless sets of stairs that take you down to Schooner Cove.
My primary motivation for braving the elements is
photography. The challenge of shooting a powerful storm
requires far more commitment than shooting your standard
landscape or ocean sunset. Storm season brings a whole new
level of fear factor. The constant pelting of the rain, buffeting
of the winds and the surging waves are, for sure, more
treacherous than at any other time of year.
Prior to this experience, I had no idea how much a storm
surge could affect the water level: Beaches with several
hundred metres of pristine sand frontage can be completely
submerged. The good news is that braving the elements,
more often than not, will produce some of the most stunning
imagery in any photographer’s portfolio—the reward is
definitely worth the effort.
A west-coast winter camping trip certainly isn’t for the
faint of heart. (This is probably as far away from the idea
of “glamping” as you can get.) But for those with the right
equipment and an appropriately adventurous spirit, it’s an
experience not soon forgotten.
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