Customer Reviews

Best Whitewater in California: The Guide to 180 Runs

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There are a couple of guidebooks that offer more detailed mile-by-mile descriptions of the paddling runs in this book, but none that deliver the feel of what it was like to run them. Lars and Chuck ran first descents on many of these rivers, and they share their stories and the stories of other pioneering paddlers. Their self-deprecating humor keeps the book from turning into a brag-fest. I bought my copy of the 1st edition in 1987 -- now I have copies of the 2nd and 3rd editions as well and can't bring myself to part with any of them!

Holbek and Stanley first published their guidebook in 1984. Amazingly, their descriptions have stood the test of time. The format for the guide is pleasantly succinct. More recent guidebooks have used the format provided by Holbek and Stanley (Idaho the WW State, and CO Rivers and Creeks).

The authors get right down to business providing the info necessary to determine flows, arrive at put-in, run shuttle, and proceed down the run. Some might find the info related to running the river a bit sparce. Personally, I appreciate the fact that paddlers are left to figure out a variety of the details related to each run.

In regard to the difficulty ratings for rapids and runs, this is the book that set the standards for contmporary river running in the western states. If Holbek and Stanley give a rapid a V+ rating, hang on!

This guidebook should be placed firmly on the dashboard of every California paddlers beat up truck.

Lars and Chuck explored most of the steep California rivers, and their book makes it a lot easier to follow in their footsteps. The logistics are easy to understand, and the short adventure stories and great photos allow the reader to appreciate the history of the great Sierra whitewater. Lars often said that it was the best whitewater in the world, and he may have been right. Buy this book, head west, and find out for yourself.Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet