[pct-l] border patrol?

[robert.riess at cox.net (Robert E. Riess)]

The BP in the San Diego district are exceptionally professional.  They know
their terrain, they are acutely aware of the PCT, and they are very
supportive of hikers.  For years, the guidebook has advised checking in with
the BP in Campo. This is not desireable.  The BP have a mission, and keeping
an eye on hikers is not part of it.  One of the most helpful things the BP
do for hikers is to mention some of their hotspots, ie. places to avoid. I
try hard to make sure my hikers get a good early start, most often at
firstlight.  This gives the average hiker a good shot at making it to Lake
Morena Campgroun on Day 1.  What you do not want, and what you should try to
avoid, is camping at Hauser Creek.  The BP raid this campsite about three
times a night.  While they might not even talk to you, the BP will tromp
around shining flashlights and talking on their radioes.  In nine years I
have experienced no friction between hikers and BP, probably because each
respects the other.  The BP have a difficult misssion.  They are not tour
guides, naturalists, hiker rescue or water carriers.  If there has been
trouble (assault, theft) on or near the trail, the BP will advise you on how
to avoid it.

Now my BP story.  In conversing with a veteran Border Patrolman about
encounters with illegals, he had this advice.  Remember, they want to avoid
you just as much as you want to avoid them.  They want to get out of the 
border zone undetected.  Usually, if you stop when you
sight them, they will move on.  If an encounter is unavoidable, then there
are a few things you can do. Let's say you are a solo female hiker, 23 years
old. You round a corner and twenty yards away you see 5 males taking a break
right on the trail. The BP say keep walking, do not make eye contact, do not
answer questions, do not offer water. Just keep moving.  If you stop, and 
try
out your high school foreign language, that gives them time to think, and
what they are likely to be thinking is how much better your pack would look
on their back.  A final technique that comes from the BP is this.  If you
are 20 to fifty yards away, and you feel uneasy about approaching a group of
illegals, try this.  Pull out your camera and tap on it like it's a cell
phone, then hold it up to your ear.  Many of the illegals know only a few
words of English, but they have been watching a lot of American television.
>From which they have learned two things.  Cell phones always work, and the
helicopters will be here in about five minutes.  Hike on !  Bob Riess at the 
trailhead.