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Woopsadaisy
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Woopsadaisy
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PostWed Aug 13, 2014 11:47 pm 
I have a permit for 6 nights in Glacier, and the BC guide says each campsite is made to fit two 2 person tents and that parties bigger than 4 will need to reserve a second site. Well, there are five of us, and I wonder if anyone here knows if they will allow a 5th person? Or what happens if we just let a fifth person tag along? Or if someone goes out without a permit? Does anyone know? Just curious. I am not sure how I feel about doing something duplicitous, but I feel the need to know more about how this all works. Thank you, Woops

All good things are wild and free. -Thoreau
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orin
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PostThu Aug 14, 2014 5:50 am 
They will not allow a 5th person on your permit. So unless you get a 2nd permit your group would not be legal. How likely scoring that permit would be depends on when you are going. About half the sites are first come first served and are available from one of the backcountry permit offices no earlier than than the day before departure. You could try showing up early at the Apgar backcountry office the morning before. You might get lucky. As for whether you could get away with it, it again depends on your luck. If they catch you they will issue a citation and may require you to leave immediately. I had my permit checked in the Belly River eariler in the season so the rangers are out there. The longer your trip, the greater the chances that you will be checked.

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AlpineRose
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PostThu Aug 14, 2014 12:21 pm 
I think it's easier to go the other way. In other words, book for a larger number of campers, and end up going with fewer.

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jared_j
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PostFri Aug 15, 2014 12:32 pm 
Sample size N = 1: I had my permit checked both nights on a single backcountry trip (Lake Ellen Wilson and Sperry) by different rangers on a weekday trip in August (their busy season). I saw them escort a party out from Sperry for some sort of permit violation (from afar, so I didn't get the details).

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Randito
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PostFri Aug 15, 2014 1:36 pm 
If three people cram into a two person tent whats the the BFD?

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Woopsadaisy
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PostSun Aug 17, 2014 8:18 am 
Randy, That is what I was kind of thinking. I mean, I have a 5 person tent I am sure would fit on a BC tent pad area! It's heavy, but if we split it up between the 5 of us.... I have had my permit checked in Glacier too. Mostly, I don't want to be looking over my shoulder while I am out. I can't imagine being in glacier and not feeling at peace. That just doesn't jibe with me! A renegade in that park... No. Not me. But if we did it and it was OK/they allowed it, then we're good to go. I told 2 of the people that we have to decide who is coming. They didn't like hearing that, but you know, I told them both months ago that there might not be enough room for both of them? I guess I should have found out sooner. Thanks for the feedback. Woops

All good things are wild and free. -Thoreau
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Randito
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Randito
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PostSun Aug 17, 2014 10:23 pm 
Right -- However I suspect that NPS rangers act a bit like TSA agents and follow the letter of the law -- which would mean a ticket and being kicked out. Looking at the maps / charts it looks like there are quite a few campsites in Glacier National Park available -- though I don't know which campsites / dates you had in mind.

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forest gnome
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forest gnome
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PostMon Aug 18, 2014 8:44 am 
it's only a 10 hr. drive? why not hav the extra person show up and see if u get a permit at the ranger the day before? rides with u and buys a one way train ticket on amtrak back,heard the train goes right to the park.

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wheatie
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wheatie
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PostMon Aug 18, 2014 3:02 pm 
You might try calling them and asking, but don't count on the permit not being checked. Also, the longer the trip, the easier it is to get the spots you want, beyond your first day or two. See, if you are a walk up staying in for 7 days, you get prime choice for the later days of your trip because most people only stay a night or two. Its pretty reasonable that you could get the same camps if you split your group a couple days into a longer trip.

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