PJ is absoutly correct, Canada is a special case they do not require a US passport to go over.  They want your money...Lost passports are something that happens, the US border will probably be willing to allow your friend back to his home country, they are not there to keep you out...they need to make sure unauthorized people don't get in, and when US citizens return we do not bring any of the wrong things back.  Drugs, meat, insects, diseases (long list). 
If you have a valid unexpired US drivers license and a birth cert you will probably be OK.  It is your call sounds like you are a bit stuck. 
I travel internationally...a lot lately...and the last time the Scotland airline people were all in a huff because my passport is getting shabby and was starting to tear.  They denied me boarding, on one airline and I went to another and they allowed me.  When I got to US customs, they explained that the airline has no authority to stop me from leaving and it is up to the US customs to allow or not allow people into our country.  And they usually give US people the benifit of the doubt.  Remember they are citizens too.  I would have allt he docs, be polite and appoligetic and gracious...attitude goes a long way.

anglerjohn wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 12:56pm:


Well, since the BWCA is unable to provide a wilderness experience . . . I'm hard pressed to come up with a suitable alternative for you.  Just go to Quetico.

PJ is correct...the passport is only required to get back.  I like his idea...go anyway...show your ID and Birth Cert. at the US border and tell them you lost it.  Worst case scenario....you're there for a few hrs while they check him out.

I predict they will let him cross in time.

Any ideas as to the best place to go on the US side?

Nope - you don't need it to get in.  Yes, it expedites the process and it is preferred but it's the US that has mandated the Passport or other acceptable proof of citizenship for entry.  My wife and I use a passport while my kids have NEXUS cards.  So, your real problem isn't getting into Canada - it's getting out.

Im not so concerned getting back Phantom...but its my understanding that you have to show passport to get into CA in the first place?  I would agree with taking my chances getting back...(I lost it)

Thanks DD Ive already exausted the normal passport channels....heck, Ive even exausted the way past normal channels.....just no time left to get one..I guess Ive resigned myself to an alternate plan and the lakers in Ferguson have just gotten an incredible reprieve!!

Getting into Canada won't be the problem so I say - go ahead with your Quetico plans.  No sense losing that $100 deposit at this point.  Just get your friends birth certificate and a valid DL and plan on being at US Customs for a bit.  If it were me I'd just leave him there and he can find his own way back into the US.

wally wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 3:38am:

It's just "working the problem."  Let's just say it was an "active" few hours.

dd

wow DD...that had to produce an ulcer!