Product Description
The only all-in-one guide to the best paddling routes in Washington state and beyond. This uniquely comprehensive paddling guidebook combines the best of three previous books--Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest, Paddle Routes of Western Washington, and Washington Whitewater--into one volume. Detailed locator maps and instructions on safety are included, as well as appendices on equipment, map sources, and a useful route comparison chart for selecting the right trip level for any paddler. Paddling Washington covers Flatwater to Class 3 routes in western and eastern Washington, British Columbia, North Idaho, and Montana, and has enough trips to keep northwest paddlers busy for years to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Paddle Routes Of The Inland Northwest
This is a very good book to have on hand when planning a kayak or canoe trip. It has all the pertinent information on put in and take out locations, water class ect. The maps are a added plus.

A must if you plan to paddle in the Inland Northwest area.
Similar to his previous book, but more inclusive.Only wish he would also rate these for the suitability of camping. ... Read more

Product Description
Veteran kayaker William Nealy shares his twelve years of whitewater experience in this unique intermediate and advanced instructional manual. Learn how to execute three types of rolls, how to read rapids, how to run rapids safely, and much more. In Kayak - The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique, the emphasis is on practical survival paddling. Over 180 pages of animation show the reader everything he or she needs to know about paddling technique, river playing, body english, river rescue, and rapid hydrology, as well as countless other techniques.Amazon.com Review
Anyone who kayaks--or would like to--will get a laugh out ofKayak: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced WhitewaterTechnique. Author William Nealy draws on his 12 years ofwhitewater experience to combine instruction and kayaking philosophieswith his offbeat sense of humor. Through animated diagrams, Nealyexplains intermediate paddling techniques, different types of Eskimorolls, river rescue, and running a river at flood stage. The chapteron hydrotypography ("the art of using watery features to yourmaximum advantage") provides an excellent tutorial on riverdynamics. The book's animated style is especially useful forillustrating the dynamics of eddies, ledges, holes, and other riverfeatures. Despite the humor, safety is Nealy's primary message inKayak. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

GREAT book on everything that is kayaking
This is a great book on kayaking.William Nealy does a great job of explaining basic and advanced techniques through a combination of words and illustrations.He does all of this while adding a great dose of humor at the same time.Even though this book is a few years old, it is the best book I have found at explaining how rivers work and what is going on under the surface of the water.William Nealy explains how to roll, brace, self-rescue, and rescue others.He explains many concepts that are difficult to explain.As someone just starting to kayak, I have found this book an invaluable asset to have in my aresenal.If you find this book available - get it - you will not regret your purchase.

Kayak:The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique
Great book!The best book I have found for those looking to understand whitewater.

If you paddle rivers, you wantthis book!
Most introductory paddling books begin with equipment and clothing, run through basic strokes and present a couple of simple moves, eddying out and peeling out, for example, with some fundamental river information thrown in at the end.The assumption is that you will learn what you need to know on the water.

This book is different.It may very well be the best introduction to flowing water on the market.Though it is supposed to be for advanced paddlers, the information and techniques it imparts are useful to boaters of all skill levels. It teaches you to approach a rapid and to figure out how it works, and what it will do to you when you get into it.Nealy's cartoons are humorous and engaging, and offer him a visual means of explaining a sport that doesn't generally translate well into print.

I generally re-read my copy a couple of times a year.

Great Book for any level
Nealy does a great job of conveying his to-the-point descriptions in terminology that even the most novice of paddler can understand.Keep in mind that this book is geared towards the paddler that has been in the water a few times, but it is still a great book if you have never even sat in a kayak. As far as a read, it is great.This is a real page turner with tons of diagrams.I had absolutly no question about what the author was trying to say.Overall, it is an excellent book and well worth the money

This is THE best!
For ANYBODY interested in Kayaking ... this is THE book!

I found it very informative, while also being highly amusing. The illustrations in this book are very entertaining. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Alaska's whitewater rivers offer kayakers and rafters unforgettable journeys of excitement and beauty.Fast & Cold is a comprehensive guide to seventy-nine of the best, including the five-star Alsek, Charley, Happy, and Kiagna Rivers. Fast & Cold was written by Dr. Andrew Embick, the leading authority on Alaskan whitewater.Embick has personally run sixty-three of the seventy-nine trips described, thirty-two of which were first descents. Embick is an adrenaline junkie, and his first-person accounts are spine chilling.At the same time, he thoroughly addresses the special concerns or running Alaska rivers, offering experienced advice on travel, camping, and safety.For each river, he gives access and flow information, a difficulty rating and description, as well as history.Embick also includes a special section of river stories to whet the reader's appetite for the thrills of Alaska whitewater. Whether you are already familiar with the beautiful and exciting world of Alaska's waterways or you are a Lower 48 floater planning the single best trip of your dreams, Fast & Cold is an indispensable book for your whitewater library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

REVEALING IN MORE THAN ONE SENSE
Usually, it's easy to promote a friend's effort. In the case of Andy's book, that took a bit of extra time, since during the time his information seemed most needed, the book hadn't been published yet and he usually sent the pertinent details via fax or by mail.

It has only been in recent times, with a renewed interest in running Alaska rivers, that (for me) the book plays a role as a source of information, and more than that. Sadly, Andy is no longer around to provide his concise personal touch. Hence, the book not only serves as a guide, but also as a reminder, who Andy was - in part - as he was certainly a very complex person.

This book is a reminder of how some guide books used to be written, that is, with a healthy dose of historical information. The history alone requires commitment to gather, check and then publish, lest an author had some very serious interests in that field. As in climbing guide books, the trend seems to be to give details about where to find what difficulty and how to deal with it by making available topos while omitting practically all else.

Embicks's book is of great value because of the many personal tidbits it contains and some of the radical trips he relates, like paddling the Chakatatna and then crossing Cook Inlet (a salt water body with extreme tidal currents) in the same white-water boats, a feat, which will not very soon repeated in our time-crunch society.

Fast & Cold makes not just an informative guide book, but also a great coffee-table issue for armchair afficionados. It is pertinent, that one has a lax attitude when dealing with Andy's type A, self-assured personality, and by giving him credit for having seen the many details he found on his trips and in his research, for relating them to us and thus enabling us to contemplate that aspect of him, which so many times didn't make it to the surface of his being, when we knew him during his lifetime.

The Alaskan Whitewater Bible
While the sport has continued to evolve since Andy did most of his rivers, he's still set the standard by which few will even come close. His reviews of the various rivers of Alaska are complete. This is a great read for entertainment. This is a dream book for the kayakers of Alaska and anyone hoping to stop by our beautiful state. Many of these rivers have still not been run since Andy and his friends ran them in the 80's. Kudoo's to THE AK whitewater book by which all others will be measured.

Excellent 4 serious riverrunners or as a coffee-table book!
After borrowing this book from the library, I had someone give it to me as a Christmas present. Andrew Embick put his heart and soul (and considerable time and money) into this effort, and it shows. He outlines many whitewaterrivers for which he has first-descent credentials; in that respect, he mustbe viewed as the acknowledged expert. One criticism, hopefullyconstructive: the book doesn't have an all-encompassing map, which would beuseful for the reader to get a sense of orientation as (s)he navigatesthrough the book. But overall, the book is a tour de force. I'll neverpaddle half the rivers in this book; I may never paddle Alaska, for thatmatter; but the book was a "must" for me. The color plates alone,depicting all the glory of glaciated streams, are worth the price ofadmission. ... Read more

Product Description
This book contains more than 100 articles on Whitewater from The Wall Street Journal's editorial page, with connecting commentary, a comprehensive index, and a previously unpublished chronology current through midsummer 1996. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Parallel Universe of the Foaming Right
Outrageous, implausible and utterly unsupported by evidence of any kind, the allegations outlined in this risible tome where long ago dismissed by all credible news sources.
Why the publishers of the Wall Street Journal allow the reputation of their first rate news writers to be dragged through the slime by the troglodites of their editorial pages is an enduring mystery of journalism.
This book is not recommended to members of the reality based community.

Clearly honest and several levels deeper than most coverage.
Included in this book is some of Micah Morrison's finest work, covering material that has yet to reach the full comprehension of the public, but which someday will seem like the writing on the wall for believers in the American ideals of integrity and individual freedom. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Great collection of whitewater adventures
John has collected and edited a great assortment of whitewater adventures that span the globe and include many legendary paddlers. From the Yangtse in China, to the wild whitewater of West Virginia and everything in between, these stories chronicle the great sport of whitewater paddling and are told by a wide collection of adventure writers. Get ready for a great ride from the comfort of your armchair. Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet

appeasing to the river gods
This collection of stories--mostly true accounts--of whitewater rafting starts out with a roar (of rapids, of course).The first story is an Into Thin Air-type tale of an ill-fated crew that tries to raft the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.The crew is over-equipped (75 lbs of spices alone, and heaps of free gear donated by sponsors), inexperienced, and led by a man who thinks he is God's gift to expeditions...you can tell this will not end well.Some of my other favorite stories were by Jeff Bennet, especially the second chapter, which describes a traumatic flip, something I've become well aquainted with recently--and perhaps that understanding is why I appreciated this book so much. Other notable chapters are Pam Housten's "Selway" from her collection Cowboys are my Weakness--a woman and her lover take a harrowing trip down a treacherous river where a woman has just been killed.Also "Lava Falls at Night"--so bizarre it can only be true--a river guides' worst nightmare (besides Texan tourists, but thats another story altogether!) when her boat drifts free at night while she sleeps aboard, and floats down towards the most infamous rapid in the continental US!This is a must-read for river rats or any outdoor enthusiast, and includes a wide variety of well written stories.Some are humorous, some harrowing, true accounts and tall tales.One thing they all have in common--the river gods play their part in each.

Enlightening, Thrilling, and non-stop!
Outdoor adventure lover or not, this book is hard to put down.Suspenseful narratives are blended with the thoughts and feelings of individuals as they face challenges that stare death in the face.

The Liquid Locomotive
What a phenomenal book.Essentially this is a collection of adventure packed true river stories.Some of the stories inspired me to pack my gear and leave for the river that day, while others putlife, death, adventure, and risk in new perspective.If you love to paddle, dream about paddling,or just enjoy adventure, then buy this book.Some of the stories can be abit overrun with technical river lingo, but even the novice (me) can getthrough it easily.I honestly had to start rationing outor limiting thenumber of pages I would read a night.It is a book I did not want to end. ... Read more

Product Description

It has been called the Everest of the whitewater world. However, unlike Everest, the Tsangpo River in Tibet has yet to be explored and charted. No other place in the world possesses more drama than the magnificent series of gorges that house the Tsangpo. Looping around the eastern anchor of the Himalayan Range, cutting the deepest canyon on Earth, and emerging more than nine thousand feet below on the plains of India, the Tsangpo is a geographical riddle that has fascinated Western explorers since 1926 when botanist F. Kingdon Ward described it as one of modern exploration’s greatest challenges.

Customer Reviews (9)

How can you make a book about kayaking a remote, dangerous river dull?
Answer:I'm not quite sure, but that's what they did.I suppose it's not too hard to imagine that the skills necessary to mount a whitewater kayaking expedition in Tibet are not the same ones necessary to tell the story interestingly.It's just a very dry and workmanlike account of the expedition without any of the vivid description necessary to bring the story to life for someone who is interested in the subject but isn't a kayaker and has never been to Tibet (like me, on both counts).

I was expecting something more like "Into Thin Air" with kayaks, I suppose.A key difference here, of course, is that "Into Thin Air" was written by a writer.

One benefit I did get from the book was some good references to some truly interesting history books on central Asia (like "The Great Game"), which I have read and enjoyed tremendously.

Story Never Developed
I was disappointed with this book.The story line never really developed.It jumped around and I never got a good feel for the expedition.I like to kayak and was hoping for a more descriptive book.Not that it matters, but the pictures were certainly lacking as well.Very few shots of the actual river itself.

Not enough story here for a book
Since someone on the expedition died right near the beginning, & they aborted the trip after that, there really isn't enough story here to fill a book.To make it long enough, most of the book is descriptions & history of the region, & past history about the people on the expedition.While some of this was interesting, most of it dragged & was hard to get through.The actualy tragedy was interesting & moving, but was just a few pages of the book.And then there was the usual descriptions of problems with porters (how many adventure books do we need to read about that?), & the people struggling to make sense of their friend's death.There were a few mountaineering quotes from other climbers that were interesting.But over all the book did not flow, was not compelling, & was rather disappointing since nothing really ended up being explored.As a short story it might have been better. And while some of the descriptions were boringly detailed, they didn't explain things like basic kayaking or rapids terms that they used.This made some of the parts that were actually interesting hard to understand for laymen.I did learn some, but while I usually read all the books I own multiple times over the years, I don't expect to be reading this one again.

Diamond Sow or Last River??
My comments come after finishing the books "The Last River" and "Courting the Diamond Sow", both of which I read over the last 2 weeks, and was provoked to write by a couple of factors. Reading the existing reviews for "The Last River" particularly, I was struck by the number of people who felt it necessary to slam the book.

First, after reading these books I have a better appreciation for the writing skill needed to write a book that is entirely engaging, brings the personalities to life, allows the reader to become part of the adventure, all the while being true to its subject.

Second, I appreciate that the writers made the story available so that we could learn about this trip and I don't mean to suggest that either effort was a waste of time and that the writers should hang up their quills.

Sadly, in my opinion neither of the books written about the same 1998 Tsangpo journey is terribly engaging. Last River is an easier read while I found the first half, particularly, of Sow a literary slog. Not sure if it was bogged down in description or what; I just found it slow going.

Neither book had much of an ebb and flow in the narrative. Even as the tragic events of Doug Gordon's death neared, there was nothing to indicate that one's blood should be heating up and that now was not the time to put the book down. They were very flat in that regard. I differentiate between sensationalism and a literary tidal cycle; perhaps the authors were extremely cognizant of avoiding the former.

The Last River spends a greater percentage of ink relating the experiences of the 4 paddlers on the river and off while Sow balances more equally the stories of both paddlers and support team. Also, Wickliffe Walker in Sow deals with the `fallout' from Gordon's death much more comprehensively than does Todd Balf; Walker spends several pages relating the effort needed to battle rumours and judgments that were circulating at home half-way around the world.

While the actual journey and the salient events I expect to remember, these books I expect to forget quickly (but then, I forgot Into Thin Air fairly quickly also). If there are poignant moments from the tale and thoughts to come away with, the one I recall most easily is the second-guessing of Gordon's paddling buddies as described most clearly in The Last Rivers account of Roger Zbel's "What if" self-flagellation. As a paddler, I pray that I am never faced with that.
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It was disappointing that The Last River did not have any photos at all of the area and only a minimalist map. On the other hand, Sow's small collection of photos was hardly comprehensive though the satellite photo was helpful in placing the story.

Nether book rates more than a 2.5 - 3, in my mind, nor does one stand head and shoulders above the other.

My context: Canadian class IV kayaker; 3 Himalayan river trips in Nepal (in fact and unbeknownst, I was on the Tamur River at exactly the time this group was on the Tsangpo); read years ago the American Whitewater article of the Gordon/McEwan trip down the Homothko in BC.

Courting the Diamond Sow
Anyone interested not only in kayaking, but also in mountain expeditions, exploration and trekking should read this. An account of truly BIG WATER, Tibetan mysteries, individual courage, top-notch kayaking, featuring some of the World's best kayakers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great guidebook
If you are a whitewater paddler in the northeast, you need to have a copy of this guidebook to keep in your car at all times. I might also recommend having a copy to keep on the bookshelf inside, since Alden's writing makes for a very entertaining read. If you find yourself in a new area that just got hit with a bunch of rain, having Let It Rain handy for some quick beta is as close as you can get to knowing the river. Most rivers have a picture or two; some of the classics have some personal first descent stories, and information about levels, gauge rocks, and major drops is all right on.

Rivers of the Northeast in glorious technicolour
The best whitewater in the Northeast USA and Canada collated in one book. Each river is depicted in full colour, with loads of photographs, and clear useful maps. Not only has the author captured his favorite whitewater runs, including recent discoveries not detailed in any previous guidebooks, but also describes numerous classic trips, and float trips. If you kayak in the Northeast, you need this guidebook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good history of american canoeing
excellent book outlining the history of american canoeing.i ordered the book to entertain my father, who was an active canoeist in the 1960's.i enjoyed it too.

the book was in excellent shape, packaged well, and arrived in a timely manner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This is the one
I can't beat Thomas' thorough review. I simply wanted to add another strong recommendation. This is it. It's the definitive whitewater book for WA. Combined with real time river gauge data from sites like American Whitewater and Professor Paddle (here in WA), you can easily find which river from the book is running at an acceptable level.

As a new paddler hitting the numerous class II rivers in the book, I've found the descriptions concise and accurate and the directions excellent. I'll contrast that to some other paddling books out there (Verne...) with some truly addling directions. The only things you might want to see added are warnings about which parking lots require permits (typically the WA Fish & Wildlife permit).

--Links--
American Whitewater: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/state/WA/
Professor Paddle: http://www.professorpaddle.com/gaugeview.asp
WA F&W permits: https://www.greatlodge.com/cgi-bin/licenses/customer_search.cgi?st=WA&btype=Licensing&r=0.17156896083894152

Must Have for Washington State Whitewater Paddlers
This is the guide to whitewater paddling in Washington State with over 320 different trips described for the following drainages/regions: Columbia River Gorge, Lewis River, Kalama and Cowlitz, Lower Columbia and Chehalis, Upper Cowlitz, Deschutes and Nisqually, Puyallup, Green and Cedar, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Pilchuck and Stilliguamish, Skagit, Nooksack, Northeast Cascades, Wenatchee, Yakima, Klickitat, Eastern Washington, Olympic Peninsula, Clackamas, Sandy, Hood, North Central Oregon, Snake, and Southern BC.

Jeff Bennett has paddled most of the runs and for those that he hasn't he has enlisted local experts to provide accurate descriptions. This guide gives equal attention from rivers all the way from class II beginner trips to the nationally-known class V creeks including the Little White, Ernie's Canyon, Robe Canyon, Canyon Creek, Cispus, Icicle, Ohanepecosh, Big Quilcene, and many others.

While this guide does not go into detailed mile-by-mile descriptions, it does provide an excellent summary of the overall character of each run including potential suitability for rafting, notes specific hazards, and highlights the unique features and noted rapids. Directions to the put-ins and take-outs are generally excellent and it serves as the must-have dashboard companion for anyone looking to find their way around Washington State's Rivers. The coverage of runs in Oregon, BC, and the Olympic Peninsula is less complete but this guide still hits the highlights. The guide also includes drainage maps, black and white photos that illustrate several of the region's classic rapids, and a number of rather humorous river stories.

This guide is much broader in scope than Douglass North's Washington Whitewater which has more detailed descriptions and mile-by-mile river maps but only covers 34 of the states classic runs and nothing beyond class IV. Gary Korb's guide to the Olympic Peninsula provides much more detailed descriptions of the rivers in that region. Verne Huser has a guide that covers rivers in Western Washington characterized by flatwater and mild rapids that would be of more interest to those looking for a scenic canoe trip. ... Read more

Product Description
River Rescue has been the authoritative reference for canoe, kayak, and raft -- from beginner self-rescue to big river teamwork -- since 1985.

The 4th edition is bigger and better than ever, with 292 fact-filled pages, 106 illustrations, and 144 photographs. Featured are new photos and first-hand accounts of rescues; expanded material on big-water rescue -- new gear and methods; self-rescue and rescue of others by hand, boat, rope, and other ways; tools and techniques -- rope work, throw bags, boat handling, high- and low-tech gear to use when seconds count; rescue organization -- leadership, teamwork, patient care, evacuation, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good job, but next edition needs to include Packrafts
Nice work, book has good flow and critical insights. Buy this book if you are going into a whitewater river! ... Read more

Product Description
Whitewater paddling is exciting, adventurous_and sometimesrisky. That's why every fast-water paddler needs the skills so clearlydefined in River Rescue. This completely revised third edition of theAMC classic manual gives expert advice, with clear, conciseinstructions and hundreds of vital illustrations and photographs thatcover all aspects of river safety.Features:
_ expanded material on big-water rescue
_ self-rescue and rescue of others_by hand, boat, rope, and other ways;
_ tools and techniques_rope work, throw bags, boat handling, high and
low-tech gear to use when seconds count;
_ rescue organization: leadership, teamwork, patient care, evacuation,and more ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Read This to Get a Feel For the River
This manual contains an abundance of real-life scenarios that give the reader a "feel" for the river. It shows by one example after another how complex the swiftwater rescue problem can become, and how sophisticated the rescue solution ought to be. The reader is challenged over and over to think things through and learn how to respond properly to various situations.

Although this book is not designed to serve as the primary instructional text for swiftwater rescue training, it should be required reading for such a program, and can be used as an adjunct to any swiftwater rescue curriculum

If you paddle read this book!
This book is a neccessity for anyone who is a river runner! It not only covers rescue techniques from the gurus of whitewater rescue, Les Bechdel and Slim Ray, but it also covers ways that one can prevent an accident fromhappening in the first place. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Chattooga to the Nantahala,the thrilling rapids and unparalleled sceneryof Western North Carolina's rivers attract thousandsof whitewater paddlers each year. Author and paddlinginstructor Will Leverette grew up in and around canoes. Hisgrandfather, Frank Chief Bell, helped to popularize the sportthrough Camp Mondamin, the country's premier summer campfor paddling. Ride along with Leverette as he recounts the exhilaratingadventures of paddling's pioneers from 1923 to 1980, both those whostarted the craze and those who guided it farther downstream. ... Read more

Product Description

A team of scientists paddles down a rain forest river on a bird watch. Will the team make it through the rapids?

Follow the Whitewater Raft on its adventure. Then make up adventures for your own Whitewater Raft.

Includes Driving Lessons: tips for parents on using this story to teach counting skills. ... Read more

Product Description
30 pencil drawings7 x 9 .Concise, illustrated guides to specific canoe and kayak techniquesStep-by-step descriptions of paddle strokes and maneuversTips for packing and loading boats, rescuing, portaging, reading waterThe three books in this new series are concise, crisply illustrated guides to paddling techniques compiled from the pages of Canoe & Kayak magazine. Each book contains some 30 articles on specific maneuvers written by top competitors and instructors, and each article is illustrated by Bruce Morser, an award-winning artist and regular contributor to Canoe & Kayak. The books also contain sections on packing and outfitting boats, executing rescue techniques, and using paddling games to develop skills. Covers strokes and maneuversthe Duffek, hole surfing, waterfall running, eddy turnsof special interest to whitewater kayakers. Includes expert advice on reading water and navigating tough stretches, along with racing exercises using slalom and English gates ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great guide for the beginner
I've just started white water kayaking and found this book to be a fantastic refresher.It covers all of the basics in a clear, straight-forward manner.I highly recommend it for someone who is just starting out in the sport or someone who wants to review the fundamentals. ... Read more