[pct-l] Camping at Campo (Trouble)

[walt Durling]

I agree.  Mooning the BP is rather juvenile, tho it's possible that the officer who was doing the scoping might have just laughed.  But when you're in remote locales, it's not exactly a smart idea to take a chance and annoy the only law enforcement for miles in any direction. Nothing to prevent them from dumping your gear in the dirt to ensure you don't have any weed.  No, no.   Not wise to bring attraction to yourself in such childish manner.

I've worked with the Justice Dept in immigration for the past 28 years.  While not my area of expertise, I've ridden with the CBP on day and night patrols just south of San Diego, tho not around Campo. I can safely say that NOBOS hiking the trail during the day bring little attention from the CBP.   PCT hikers don't exactly fit the description of illegal aliens.  In that sector the vast majority of action comes after dark when fence jumpers are more frequent.  But as most hikers see, the CBP is rather thick on the ground and in the air between Campo and well past Moreno.

I set out from Campo exactly one year ago today.  I, too, saw several CBP ATVs and 4-wheelers, and helicopters.  Any eyeballing of hikers by them is mostly enjoying the parade of hikers, not that they are suspicious.  It's a good idea to not camp adjacent to the border because it's possible aliens could come tramping close by after dark.  If so, the feds won't be far behind.  I don't know for sure, but I suspect there are strategically placed listening devices set along the trail up to several miles from the border.  Only at night would any signal along the trail attract CBP attention since most hikers are bedded down, and all but the most simple-minded alien would attempt to use the trail during the day.

Anyway,  anyone who wants to camp near Campo should drop in at the CBP office right there off the trail and ask for advice.  Be nice and they'll be nice back.
walt

Sent from my iPad

> On Apr 6, 2015, at 14:50, Andrea Dinsmore <andrea at dinsmoreshikerhaven.com> wrote:
> 
> Trouble.....you are not helping anyone including yourself. What the hell
> are you doing MOONING the Border Patrol ?? Apparently you don't give a rip
> about all the hikers with a brain that will be coming up behind you. The
> Border Patrol is there for a reason a lot bigger than the hikers. You give
> respect....you'll get respect out on the trail. Your comment about the
> mooning made me want to vomit. Fortunately 99% of the hikers show respect
> to the officials out there who are trying to protect you.
> 
> Andrea Dinsmore
> PCT MOM
> 
> On Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 11:17 AM, Robert E. Riess <robert.riess at cox.net>
> wrote:
> 
>> This hiker's experiences are not typical.  I doubt the veracity of these
>> incredulous statements. The US Border Patrol have been nothing but friendly
>> and accommodating to hikers for many years.  It is absolutely not necessary
>> nor desired to have hikers check in with BP on the way through Campo.
>> Observing people who happen to be hikers using binoculars is part of Border
>> Patrol's mission.  To be insulted for doing it is rude, and the mooner
>> should be profoundly embarrassed and apologetic.  In my opinion, Yogi has
>> been profound, accurate, articulate and eloquent in helping hikers
>> unfamiliar with the PCT.  Her accumulated knowledge and advice have aided
>> countless hikers.  There is no problem with camping near the border.
>> Hikers will not be harassed by BP
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- From: Brian Forestell
>> Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 10:15 AM
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: [pct-l] Camping at Campo
>> 
>> The border patrol are hyper vigilant at Campo.  There were many agents who
>> scoped us and at least one helicopter swept low to get a good look at us in
>> the first two miles past the border.  A couple days later we could see a
>> border patrol guy scoping us out with his binoculars.  I obliged him by
>> mooning him.  The problem with camping that near to the border is that you
>> will be likely harassed by the border patrol and there is a slim
>> possibility
>> that some frightened economic refugee might come running scared through
>> your
>> campsite.  We camped about three miles up the trail from the border in the
>> chaparral and had a great sleep.  I think that Yogi is just projecting her
>> own fears; in my opinion she can be a bit of a trouble maker and I would
>> take any of her advise with a grain of salt.  My advice is just to tell the
>> border patrol (there on the road on the way up to the monument) who you are
>> and ask them where they would advise to set up for the night.  They are
>> nice
>> guys one on one and we had no problem filling up our water bottles at their
>> station.  Your going to have a great summer.  Have fun.
>> 
>> Trouble
>> 
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