[pct-l] Southbound from Canada into Washington

[Dan C. aka Thumper]

Ken,

Do not think you will find ATVsat the northern monument as they are not permitted on the PCT.  We have heard of enforcement officers on foot and horseback.  There was a Ranger/Agent who signed the logbook in 2010 and wished the SOBOs luck.

Thumper

---- Ken Powers <ken at gottawalk.com> wrote: 
> When we hiked the Idaho Centennial Trail we ended at the Canadian Border on 
> a trail that did not cross into Canada. We had to backtrack to a very remote 
> dirt road. Guess who was in the first (only?)car along the road that night - 
> Border Patrol. They had been monitoring border traffic in an area probably 
> more remote than the PCT crossing. The border patrol agents didn't disclose 
> what tools they were using (other than a the ATV's on their trailer) and 
> they didn't say why they were monitoring such a remote place. They did talk 
> about the increased border security after 9/11 and drug smuggling.
> 
> Interestingly these 2 agents had previously been stationed near the southern 
> terminus of the PCT and the CDT so they were familiar with thru hikers.
> 
> My guess is that there is some sort of border monitoring near Manning Park.
> 
> Ken
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dan C. aka Thumper" <dofdear at cox.net>
> To: <Pct-L at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 11:18 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Southbound from Canada into Washington
> 
> 
> My experience driving across the border is that the customs agent, on both 
> sides, does not log you in or out.  They only review your passport/ID , ask 
> some questions and pass you through.  We were careful not to indicate our 
> intentions and stated we were only hiking locally.  Our driver returned next 
> day after receiving a SPOT OK message without a problem.
> 
> So the question of how a USFS Ranger or USBP Enforcement Officer would know 
> whether you crossed the border or just hiked to it and returned.  Well they 
> could eye witness the action first hand.  Foot prints are a great indicator. 
> In CA, NM and TX there is embedded technology such as sensors (motion and 
> IR) cameras and various foot and air patrols utilized to combat wrongful 
> border crossing.  It would not surprise me if they would use similar tactics 
> considering the recent publicity the PCT and SOBO hikes have received.
> 
> My recommendations are; 1) be prepared to turn back, 2) have a verifiable 
> story in place, 3) be prepared for a detention and fine that could destroy 
> your hike, finances and possibly your future (especially if you have a 
> career that requires a security clearance), 4) not do it.  Starting at Harts 
> Pass and hiking north should only add 3 days depending on snow and weather. 
> And it's 3 days of some of the most beautiful portions of the trail, 5) star 
> at Harts Pass SOBO and not worry about it.
> 
> Be careful.
> 
> Dan C. aka Thumper
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