Adventuring in Alaska: The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Great Land, Second Edition [Paperback]

Peggy Wayburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 1994 | Series: The Sierra Club Adventure Travel Guides

The most authoritative and comprehensive guide to Alaska's endless recreation opportunities, unique culture, and history, this book is designed for independent, nature-oriented travelers of all ages. Updated with the latest information on where to stay, what to see, and how to get there, Adventuring in Alaska is filled with indispensable advice and insider tips:
-- Detailed listing of transportation options by land, sea, river, or air, including tours and charters
-- Recommendations for a wide range of lodging, from hotels and inns to hostels and campgrounds
-- Descriptions of Alaska's history, geology, flora, and fauna
-- Information on a variety of wilderness activities, including day hikes, backpacking trips, river rafting, bicycle routes, fishing trips, and ski outings
-- Detailed descriptions of weather and climate, including the best times to visit, and tips on clothing and equipment
-- Comprehensive listings of parks and wildlands, including the Pribilof Islands, Denali National Park and Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park anti Preserve, the Kenai Fjords, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This adventure guide to the biggest state opens with a compelling statistic: to see the entirety of Alaska, you would need to visit approximately 1 million acres per day for an entire year. To explore a state so vast requires an equally comprehensive resource. Peggy Wayburn's Adventuring in Alaska delivers, providing--by region--loads of general nature and recreational- oriented information as well as quirky Alaska-specific details. Read about bush pilots and the "Bear Essentials," or consider permafrost, a chilly reminder that 80 percent of the state is covered with frozen soil. The state's rich cultural and historical past is discussed throughout the book. For each region a map is included, as well as detailed listings of transportation, lodging, wilderness activities, and parks (phone numbers and addresses are often included). --Rob McDonald --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Peggy Wayburn is an avid hiker, river runner, outdoor photographer, and lifelong environmental activist, and the author of Adventuring in the San Francisco Bay Area. She lives in San Francisco. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 387 pages
• Publisher: Random House, Inc.; Rev&Updtd edition (April 12, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871564726
• ISBN-13: 978-0871564726
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,606,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dull, virtually mapless and painfully wordy, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Adventuring in Alaska: The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Great Land (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

Either the author or Sierra Club should take a look at the wonderful Dorling Kindersley series of Eyewitness Travel Guides to see what a travel book can be -- alternately you might consider a Lonely Planet.

The author tells us that you could take a year to see Alaska at a rate of one million acres per day (referring to its vastness) then fails to provide many maps to the sectional chapters of the book, so you're always wondering where you are. Other things lacking are well-organized and clearly located (they exist, but are rudimentary, arbitrary, and difficult to locate) tables and charts of useful information (e.g. temperature, elevation, rainfall, snowfall.

The book could benefit from a synopsis of Alaska's regions, with similarities and differences clearly outlined so a new visitor to Alaska could easily map out which region(s) might be of particular interest.

This is one of the few books in the past 30 years that I've failed to read from cover-to-cover. Yes I've a Type A personality -- perhaps this book might appeal to someone with more patience or a strong interest in archeology and detective work -- you'll have to dig to find the information you want. (By the way, this is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review!)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overall read - get to know all of Alaska., February 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Adventuring in Alaska: The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Great Land (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

This is a book not only for the adventurer, but anyone who wants to know more about Alaska. There are all kinds of historical facts and figures that you would need to search for in several reference books, without the reference book feeling. Other notes about Alaska the people living there probably don't know about. If you are into hiking, kayaking, biking, or any other mode of traveling in Alaska, Peggy Wayburn will get you there and tell you what you need, what to watch for, and who to contact in advance for more info! Adventuring in Alaska is exciting and wonderous, well worth it.