No Backtracking

No backtrackinyouNbacktracking

To start Sobo, you have to get to the border. US law prohibits entry from Canada at the start (terminus). This means hiking in. I was determined to get to the border, but didn't want to backtrack. J was reluctant to hike the extra 35km needed to get there. I spent hours trying to find a way to get to the border without backtracking and which J would be willing to do. Initially we compromised on a hike in that would leave us about 13km short and start from there. Not ideal but it ended the arguments. Then my brother found out we were planning on hiking 4000 odd kms...less 13 and the mocking began, ceaselessly. And, echoed in sibling rivalry, our plan now sounded ridiculous. So, after much badgering from Paul, J agreed to go all the way to the border (Paul gave her no alternative, really). We found a route, up Robinson Creek, got some intel and set off for the border.

To be honest, most of the people we asked about it were pretty discouraging and kinda negative. But one guy, CB (who owns Goats Beard) was encouraging of us giving it a go, at least in his style. This guy is not prone to superlatives. He is a 'matter of fact' 'straight shooter' and just what we needed. He told us it would be tough, and why, and asked us for updates on the route, which we delivered back to him 5 days later.

 The way in was tough, but doable, just as CB said, but most importantly it got us to the border, no backtracking.