So last years RABC expires on July 20 and we are coming out July 23. What do you think?

Actually, the entry date is what matters. As long as you enter before it expires, you're good. The US will accept your passport when you return.

Thanks, I know I saw this topic a while ago somewhere. OS's reply is what I wanted to verify! Cha ching! Hey $30 towards a tow that I am still on the fence about.  I think I'm good to go on the Outdoors Card too.

Old Salt wrote on Jun 1^st, 2015 at 12:18am:


That's what I always say. (and a few 'hail Mary's')

I agree with the Chicken...092....not PJ.  Cheep insurance for the cost.  To Bill's thought...how would they know you didn't enter that day....you would have paid your camping fees and have a recipt, etc. from Ranger station when you entered.  If OS is solid on the entry date or you confirm with a phone call, then no need.  I'd venture the phone call. 

pajeff - when are you headed back from your trip?  I recall you were on the water from 7/13-24 from a previous thread? I'll be arriving in Ely the afternoon of the 25th, circa 2-3 PM.  I'm guessing you'll be on the road back to PA by then?

pd

Seems logical if the rabc is taking the place of a visit to customs upon entry I will be good. We shall see.
pd, we probably will be on the road by then. More than likely next year will be Aug. again with 'Sam'. Maybe we can plan our walleye wing nite then, eh.

Wow, thanks Bill, I can't argue with that. Ignorance can be blissful but costly. Did you try to push my logic thing?

Well, if I took bad advice, I would be upset at myself, not the website.

Anyway, I took a look at the Canadian website, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links); to see if I was mistaken. Turns out it reads that the RABC must be valid on the date of the crossing into Canada. It is a border crossing permit. No mention is made of any need for it to be valid during the entire stay.

While I don't doubt Bill's conversation, border officers don't really deal with RABC crossings. If it were me, I would use it. It's valid and paid for.

People can decide if they want to rely in your interpretation if what it says (and dies not say) in a web site or my report of talkingvto a border agent in the office that issues the RABC - on two separate occasions. The fact is they don't know when you crossed the border and the Q permit is not proof of when you crossed the border.

Please prive me wrong with proof, not wishes and conjecture.

There's nothing personal here, I just believe in following the laws and hope all will.

Please calk the RABC office. They are wonderfully polite and understood exactly what I was asking, seemed very familiar with the subject and inquiry, and could not be talked out of it nor did they waiver at all. They didn't even try to hurry and would have continued to discuss it. Yesterday and several years ago as well.

True that winning the lottery seems more likely than being asked to show your RABC but I wouldn't go without a valid one. And I'm so cautious I wouldn't even plan on cutting it close in case I was weather delayed leaving. But that's me.

Hmm? Is it my bad if I leave my Passport in my car while in Q if I crossed at Ft Frances?

chaga wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2015 at 1:03pm:


It would appear the people who administer and enforce the regulations are at least slightly better at their job then the people who do their websites.  I think the problem at least partially lies in the attempts to digest and summarize the regulations - both for the Q and BWCA traveler but also more broadly - for the internet.  I wish they would publish the actual regulations as well.  (I've discovered that for a lot of BWCA regulations, they are still just in hardcopy and not stored electronically so not widely available.)

PS - and the $1000 wouldn't be so bad but I think you can also never return to Canada!  Who among us wants to risk never being able to return to the Quetico?  A fate worse than death.  I wonder if it would prevent my sons from taking my ashes there?

Old Salt wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2015 at 5:48pm:

I'll be hiding in a Nalgene bottle and have Portage Dog sneak me in. PD, I'll pm you the spot but you have a pretty good idea where. 

Pajeff,

I'll be your Huckleberry!  Assuming, of course I (hopefully) outlast you!  I dropped some of my dad's ashes along the falls from Sucker to Basswood in '09.  He used to fish up in some lakes with an old friend outside the park, but I have no clue where that was.  I got to go along once when young.  It would have been Crown Land. 

As to the passport question, I have one of the Passport Cards that I carry with on Q trips.  Of course, in an incapcitated state, it would not likey find it's way with me if medevac'd out.

pd