[pct-l] Canada issues

[Len Glassner]

>>>What about when you enter Canada legally and then "never leave?"

IN 2010, I flew into Vancouver and then hiked south on the PCT  to
White Pass.  When I arrived at YVR, the customs person asked me about
my plans and I said I was returning to the US via the PCT.  Zero
reaction.

This year, I sent in the thru-hiker application for permission to
enter Canada.  Did not get a response from Canada saying, "We thought
you we still here."   I did get a call asking 'What can you tell me
about 1972?"  This was a bit unnerving as it hadn't come up during my
applications in two prior years.  Beware the thorough bureaucrat.
That issue was resolved and I got my permission slip.

I recall running into eight SOBO thru's this year, two groups of three
and two individuals.  I asked one of the groups about any hassles at
Manning Park, and one commented that, other than dodging a few tazer
shots, no problem.

On the last day of my hike, just before entering Canada, I crossed
paths with three border patrol hiking south on a multi-day trip.  They
had camped the prior night with several thru's, near the monument.  We
chatted a bit about the trail, and one of them gave me a card and said
I should call if I saw anything suspicious.  I didn't have the nerve
to ask what they would do if they came across someone who had  hiked
SOBO from Canada.  Later I had a conversation with someone who said
they had asked, and the response was that SOBOs from Canada would not
be detained.  I wonder about that.  There was a handful of other
hikers that were southbound that day, and they seemed pretty fresh, so
I assume they came out of Manning Park.

That Canadian entry permit that your supposed to surrender upon arrival?

If you fly home from Vancouver, you go through US customs there, not
when you land in the US.  There's no Canadian involvement.

http://www.yvr.ca/en/navigating-yvr/customs-immigration/us-customs-border-protection.aspx

As has been stated many times before, this thing is hard to get rid
of.  US customs knows nothing about the entry permit.  I offered mine
up, and the agent said he'd never heard of it, but would pass it
along.

Don't know how it works if you return by bus or car.