Re: "Rotted trail not a risk, park says," Sept. 8.
The mandatory orientation before getting the permit to walk on the West Coast Trail speaks to the boardwalks and how to walk on them. I can only hope people were paying attention - most of those I saw on the boardwalks apparently did not.
Parks Canada recommends not walking in the centre of the board, but the ends, and possibly spreading the load across multiple boards. In many cases, the boards were not necessary to walk on.
It was a privilege to spend more than $100 to go on this 75-kilometre trail. The government does not make enough money per year from fees to pay for all the maintenance. What a deal for me.
The most important thing is to have the critical structures like the bridges and cable cars in top-notch condition. My life depends on these structures working. There are few complaints here. The ladders for the most part are in 90 per cent good condition.
The boardwalks are more cosmetic in the grand scheme of things. Because the boardwalks were in rougher shape, I paid a lot of attention to every step that I made. If the boardwalk was in top shape, such as near the Nitinat Narrows, people would be getting hurt from going too fast and tripping.
From a safety point of view, the condition of the boardwalks would not be acceptable in the city. However, we are on a trail that was only really intended to save people from shipwrecks. I am thankful my government has kept it open, considering cutbacks.
Wayne Johnston
Edmonton
