Visa issues

[Khalidur]

Hi all, was going to hike the AT this year then changed my mind at the last minute to the PCT. Quick question:

I have a british passport and thus don't need a visa to enter Canada. Can I enter Manning Park, BC, via the PCT without a permit?

I'm flying out of Seattle, so how do I get back there from Manning Park? I'm entering the US under the visa waiver programme, so can I leave the US via the PCT and then re-enter so long as my visa for US is valid?

Thanks.

[fiddlehead]

This is a tough question and you might want to see the PCTA's take on it here
But I don't believe that will help you much.
You should probably ask your question on the pct-l (google it and join)

We hiked into Manning Park, then hitchiked to Vancouver, then took a bus to Seattle.
I am not sure what immigration (both Canadian and US) is going to say when you don't have a stamp that you left the USA.

You might be better off just resupplying somewhere, and hiking back to Rainy Pass. (3-5 days extra) A pain in the butt, i know but, maybe less of a pain than the stress of a border crossing that could be suspected as being illegal.

Here is some more info that will help prove my point: http://www.fs.fed.us/pct/faq.pdf
and this: http://mcauleysworld.wordpress.com/2...lumbia-canada/
and this:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20...t_trail_border

[sbhikes]

You can backtrack a little less than Rainy Pass. There were a few topics about this recently on the pct-l. You don't have to backtrack quite so far.
http://mailman.backcountry.net/piper...ch/025472.html

Most of us go to Canada with our entry permit and passport and then take public transportation back into the US. Your passport will be examined to get into the US but not to get into Canada (there's nobody at the border to do it, hence the permit). I don't know how it works for non-Americans. For immigration/visa issues, you should talk to qualified personnel.

[Khalidur]

I think I might do the following:

Stehekin is at mile 2574, and Monument 78 is at mile 2654.

so go from stehekin to the terminus and back on one resupply.

Does anyone know how i'd get from stehekin to seattle? I tried googling it, but nothing much is coming up, except for the shuttle that takes you from the trail to stehekin.

[Khalidur]

Alternatively I could go from Monument 78, to harts pass (30 miles sobo) and then hitch/walk to Winthrop, WA. But I Still have no idea how I'd go from either Stehelkin or winthrop back to Seattle.

[Malto]

Go to the Border, backtrack a few miles to the Boundary Trail, pick up the PNT down to Ross Lake. From here hitch to either Bellingham or Seattle. I will probably be doing something similiar, only I will be continuing on the PNT toward Bellingham for another 60 or so miles, hitching down 542 to Bellingham and flying out of there. That's my plan if I finish three days early which will be my goal.

[Khalidur]

http://www.zachshaner.ca/2010/05/ste...free-vacation/

I think I may have found my answer. The article says from Stehelkin, ferry to Chelan then buses to seattle via wenatchee

[wandering_bob]

Wenatchee also has a commercial airport with service to Seattle and other points.

[SassyWindsor]

You would be in violation of USA rules. With all the illegal immigration into the USA from Mexico this statement almost sounds ridiculous, or akin to a joke. I would just say, knock yourself out and enjoy.

[Ulhiker]

When you apply for your visa, get one with multiple or dual entries into the US. This should take care of the problem.

[Dogwood]

Go-Man provided one viable option. Of course you could hitch into Seattle from Rainy Pass without the need of extra expense or time to go back into Stehekin.

The Lake Chelan ferry is a lovely ride along Lake Chelan though. I went from Wenatchee to Chelan on a bus(nice bus ride too through some orchard country) where I took the ferry into Stehekin and continued NOBO on the PCT to Manning Park in 2008. Remember Chelan well. I met an actress who had a strarring role on CSI: Miami, who was celebrating her friend's b-day. We had some drinks. She was more beautiful in operson! This was before the current passport requirements though!

[Khalidur]

Thanks for the help guys, decided to start in Campo. I've got a 90 day visa, so I doubt I'll reach the canadian border, will probably aim to reach the OR/WA border, then hitch into portland or take a bus.

[Reid]

It can be tricky and sometimes it comes down to who you run into and on what day.

[el31415]

It can be tricky and sometimes it comes down to who you run into and on what day.

It can be tricky what is your name and your ethnicity.
As for the visa go if you come under the waiver visa, you can come in and out as much as you , as long as your visa is still valid.(and you don't get a AhOle at the border.
You should apply for a Tourist visa, you will get 6 months and much easier to come in and out, as the "background" check will have already been done in UK.
You can also contact directly Homeland security and tell them about your trip and keep copy of that any correspondence with you.