[pct-l] Southbound from Canada into Washington

[Ken Powers]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply they would come in on ATV's or even on the 
PCT. All I meant is that they could show up at the monument to check border 
traffic. Or even watch border traffic from afar with powerful binoculars. 
The agents in Idaho had been looking for something with binoculars.

Ken
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan C. aka Thumper" <dofdear at cox.net>
To: <Pct-L at backcountry.net>; "Ken Powers" <ken at gottawalk.com>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Southbound from Canada into Washington


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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