[pct-l] Campo Start Options

[Roger Carpenter]

Hi Jeff.  I see no problem camping near the border if you do it smartly.  In
1996 I started my thru-hike in Campo in the early evening, hiked across the
highway and eventually selected a brushy area away from the trail to camp.
This was one-half mile north of the railroad tracks after hiking 3.5 miles
that evening.  The idea is to get off the trail because many immigrants
walking at night will use the PCT.  In fact I was awakened by the sound of
footsteps in the distance but I was far enough away and hidden in the brush
to keep from being seen.  I did not set up my tarp and was in my dark
sleeping bag.  It would have been very unlikely an immigrant would have seen
me.  I'm sure some will disagree with me on the safety of my plan, but it's
a small risk in my opinion.

A lot of hikers attend the kickoff event at Lake Morena and get a ride to
the border in the morning and essentially day-hike back to Lake Morena.  But
you have chosen to start before the kickoff weekend.

Roger Carpenter


> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Jeff Williams
> Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:35 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Campo Start Options
>
>
> Hello from North Carolina.
>
> I completed the AT in 2002 and have done about 900 miles of the PCT
> (Snoqualmie Pass, WA to Dunsmuir, CA).
>
> I have a trip planned from Campo to Palm Springs in late April.  I
> planned on arriving in Campo about 6pm on April 19 by bus from San
> Diego.  I can't find anything in the guide books or journals that say
> anything about camping (safely) near Campo.  I did see that you
> shouldn't camp within the first 30 miles of the border if you're alone
> (which I will be).  Do you have any suggestions or can you give me
> someone to contact?  Could I stay near the border patrol station? Is
> there anyone in the San Diego area that would provide transportation to
> Campo early on Friday, April 20 as another option?  My flight arrives
> San Diego at 11am, April 19.
>
> If there is someone interested in hiking part of this segment with me,
> that's something that could be considered.  I'm a 56 year old male with
> plenty of hiking experience.  I typically do 20 miles days depending on
> terrain, weather and available water.
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
> Boone Trekker
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l at backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>