[pct-l] Re: I can't cross the border

[griffin at u.washington.edu (Tom Griffin)]

Kelly,

I'm a little confused. You are a U.S. citizen and Canada won't let you into
the country because of a DUI from 10 years ago? Seems overly rigid if this
is the case. Also, why would an agency in Seattle help you cross into
Canada--wouldn't it make more sense to contact an agency in Vancouver?

Even if you are turned back at the border, the stretch between Harts Pass
and Canada is one of the most scenic sections of the PCT in Washington
State, so don't give up at Rainy Pass. Because there is a lookout tower at
Harts Pass, you get a fair number of tourists in the summer and I am sure
asking for a ride to Mazama or Winthrop would be easy.

See you on the trail...

Tom Griffin
Seattle
PCT Pages at http://staff.washington.edu/griffin/pct.html
> 
> From: "Kelly" <aj7x@amsat.org>
> Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 12:12:06 -0600
> To: "Pct-L" <pct-l@backcountry.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] I cant cross the border.
> 
> I am planning on hiking from the California border to the Canadian
> Border starting mid July.  As suggested by the PCTA, I sent in the
> "request for entry into Canada" form.  Shortly afterward, I got a notice
> from the Immigration Center saying I was "inadmissible" because I had a
> DUI on my record from ten years ago.   I see now that if I hadn't sent
> in that form,  I probably wouldn't have been checked, an at the very
> worst just told to turn around and go home, which is what I'm planning
> on doing anyway. 
> 
> So, I'm told to contact an agency in Seattle, who I find out does not
> personally answer phone calls.  My options now are to go to the border
> and turn around and go to the first US road out or stop at Rainy Pass
> and quit my journey there.  Also,  I could apply for temporary residence
> .  Must be ok to live there permanently but not visit.  Anybody have
> experience with this kind of thing?
> 
> ....Kelly