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What's you favorite regional paddling guidebook/bible?

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:53 pm
by Craig Smerda
Here's mine written by the late Jim Rada for our little region of the world... http://www.amazon.com/Northwoods-Whitew ... 0917939034 or http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookse ... 0917939037

Synopsis
"The result of decades of detailed and painstaking research, this bible for those hoping to find, run, and survive the best whitewater in the Northwoods has evolved over the years from a clandestinely photocopied underground classic into this colorful, detailed edition. A comprehensive guide as well as a tribute to the man who created it, the book features technical yet spirited descriptions of the nooks and crannies of numerous rivers, falls, and rapids throughout the states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin accompanied by images and colorful tales of the author's journeys. A detailed rating system assists canoers and kayakers in choosing the best river for their level of experience, while topographic maps and a user-friendly layout lead paddlers straight to their chosen whitewater rivers and creeks."


[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5 ... SS500_.jpg[/img]

There's some other good suggestions on that other site... http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1369172

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:06 pm
by Oci-One Kanubi
Monte Smith's book: "Southeastern Whitewater", or something like that.

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:47 pm
by sbroam
Benner's guide to Western NC was a "go to" book for a long time, then it was updated by his son - both are c-boaters.

The Nealy books were fun yet informative, too.

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:07 pm
by philinasheville
Leland Davis' NC Rivers & Creeks!!

http://brushymountainpublishing.com/nccreeks/

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:15 pm
by philinasheville
I should add that Leland's book is almost worth buying just to check out the photo of Steve Fraizer running Big Falls on the Elk in a big butt open boat. Looks like an encore maybe. The book organized very nicely by escarpment, so you can see your options based on were the rain fell.

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:26 pm
by cheajack
Nealy's detailed descriptions are hard to beat. Leland's book is great but I'll never do more that 1/3 of the runs, it's kind of a coffee table volume in our house!

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:32 pm
by milkman
For Oregon and SW Washington, the definitive guide is Soggy Sneakers by Pete Giordano and the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club, published by The Mountaineers Books.

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:54 am
by Larry Horne
for california, it's The Best Whitewater in California, by Lars Holbek and Chuck Stanley.

Best Guide Books?

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:10 am
by madmike
The "Whitewater Outlaw" books about New York are great.
http://www.whitewateroutlaw.com/

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:46 am
by Jan_dettmer
Betty Pratt-Johnson: Whitewater trips for kayakers, canoeists, and rafters on Vancouver Island

Image
...just kidding.

The Backroad Mapbook for Vancouver Island:
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http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/index-b ... &region=BC

Never go explore BC without a Backroad Mapbook! It's the bible.

CHeers, Jan

boatin

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:37 pm
by Alden
"Appalachian Uprising" by Jack Ditty.

Alden

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:23 pm
by LEW
The two volumes of "New York Exposed: The Whitewater State" are entertaining resources.
Sadly Dennis Squires, "The Whitewater Outlaw", recently drowned when his boat became pinned under a log while paddling a river in New Zealand.
Since his books were self published, I'm not sure what the future holds for them. I still see them in outdoor shops all over the northeast though.
LEW

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:28 am
by cheajack
Isn't "Appalachian Uprising" a video, not a guide book?

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:25 am
by Jim Michaud
The most popular guide book in New England by far is "Classic Northeastern Whitewater Guide" by Bruce Lessels.

By the way, I'm almost certain that Steve Frazier ran that waterfall on the Elk in a Caption. It's the only boat that I've ever seen him paddle.

Jim

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:08 am
by noobopenboater
great read and cool picture of Milt on front.

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