[pct-l] first night out

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Shelly,

I avoid camping anywhere between the border and Lake Morena due to the high
probability of encountering illegal aliens.  I’ve encountered a dozen or so
non English-speaking people with little or no gear walking on the PCT or
loitering in the area, particularly in the “shelter” of the timber in Hauser
Creek Canyon.  They’ve never given me the least problem, but I’m a guy and
the encounters were in broad daylight, and with numerous other PCT hikers in
the area.

I don’t think the prevalence of Border Patrol vehicles and helicopters in
the area is because they have nothing else better to do, nor do I think they
provide sufficient deterrent/protection.  It may, and probably will be,
reasonably safe to camp in that stretch but I don’t choose to encourage the
risk.

A day's hike north of Lake Morena the risk is very much reduced; in my
opinion to near-zero.

If I though I simply must overnight in the area I would inquire if I could
pitch somewhere close to locals in or around Campo.

Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 7:16 AM, shelly skye <shelbel26 at gmail.com> wrote:

> HI all. I am searching for an opinion or two, or more should it come to
> that... It appears I will be getting a late start the day I leave Campo and
> am wondering if the small seasonal creek 4.2 miles in is a safe place to
> bed
> down for the night. I'll have plenty of water so that won't be an issue,
> I'm
> just wondering how safe it is to park myself there for the night. Solo
> woman
> and all. Or if not, any other ideas about what would be safer? Thanks for
> your help!
>
> --
> Shelly
>
> "We are not lost. We are searching alternative destinations."
> Unknown author
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