Customer Reviews

The Complete Wilderness Paddler

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The Complete Wilderness Paddler takes you step by step through the month long adventure shared by four men on the Moisie River in Labrador. The authors use this backdrop to explain how to successfully plan and execute a similar trip. The book does not read like an instruction manual. Instead, it explains certain things as the need arises. For example: as they were paddling across large lakes an explanation of flat-water strokes was given. Later in that chapter there were also sections on crossing ice-covered lakes and on navigation. The part of this book that is really interesting is not the explanations (though they are done well), rather it is the adventure story. After all, the theme is that of a true wilderness trip to the heart of Canada. It is hard not to get caught up in the spirit of this book. I constantly found myself imagining that I was in the bow leaning into a high brace past Igloo Rock or trying to find the portage trail that hadn't been used in ! 20 years. The book also shares stories from camp that make the characters seem more human. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever looked out a window and declared to himself that he would rather be "out there" than "in here." As for the information, I do not believe this book is all you need to plan your excursion (though it's close). To me it seems to be a wonderful place to start. It covers the basics and then some. It is worthwhile to read this book even if you just want to catch the spirit that is always prominent in this story.

My husband and I read "The Complete Wilderness Paddler" before we went on a three week canoe trip north of the Great Slave Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. It contained exactly what we needed to learn. We even ended up singing the authors' "Little Black Flies" song a few times ourselves--see Chapter Nineteen, "A Disquisition on Some (Justly) Unsung Creatures of the Woods." This chapter not only contains the black flies song ("Black flies, little black flies/ Rum bum umble dum little black flies...") but also charts a technique for unobtrusively shagging your black flies off onto an unsuspecting decoy, e.g. your husband or the guide. Priceless. This is the kind of stuff you really need to know if you're planning any kind of camp-out north of Indiana.

The authors had to portage around thirty-two sets of rapids (not easy with a canoe balanced on your head) on their trip down the entire length of Labrador's Moisie River. They include invaluable information on trail-finding (if there is a trail) and bushwack portages, accomplished with "compass, map, and horse-sense." (Nowadays, one might also use a GPS device). One of the suggestions if you happen to be looking for the next lake across the watershed, is to head for the point on the horizon where the trees dip the lowest, "but not if the topo shows it to be the Dismal Swamp."

Just remember that you may be bushwacking the next body of paddleable water with the center thwart of a canoe across your shoulders. You won't have a lot of energy for sight-seeing.

If you are going to traverse a well-known river, you might not have to read the chapters on "Scouting" and "Lining." However, it might still be a good idea to know the information they contain, just in case your 'well-known' river is running high or very low.

Jim, Rug, Joe, and Peach (the 'wilderness paddlers') also spend a great deal of time demonstrating via diagrams and text, the tactics and strokes for handling all conditions of still and wild water--the Moise River had them all--not to mention ice, haystacks, eddy lines, souse holes, curlers, and roosters.

There is also advice on bailing techniques, and how to recover when your canoe capsizes.

This book is 'the' classic for anyone who wants to take off into the Wilderness and do some heavy-duty paddling. It's authoritative, extremely detailed, and also enormously fun to read.

A wonderful story. The title is wrong; this is not an instruction manual. This is a true story of four young men who find the headwaters of the Moisie River and then canoe its entire length. But it is a story written with wit and sensitivity, from the finding of the Coke bottle in the wilderness of Labrador to the final shoot to the St. Lawrence. Get it. Don't hesitate. you'll love it.

I am an adventure traveler and canoeist, and an avid reader of adventure writing. James West Davidson and John Rugge are exceptionally knowledgeable, and they also spin a heck of a yarn. Every canoeist, from novice to expert, should own "The Complete Wilderness Paddler." The authors use the story of a wild and wooly trip down the incomparable Class IV-V Moisie River in Canada as a way to teach everything from how to plan a trip, paddle a canoe, portage in a yard of muck and survive the torture of black flies. It is hilarious, brilliant, insightful, genius! You can read it over and over and learn new things about canoe camping. Even if you'd never set a paddle in a river, armchair adventurers will love the graceful writing of Davidson and Rugge.

I first read this book over 15 years ago and the wisdom it contains is as timely as ever. Not only is the book a thorough education in wilderness exploration and paddling, it provides entertaining look into the distinct personalities of two enthusiasts. If you like to laugh while you learn, this book is for you.

I gave a copy to my fiance before we went on our first river adventure last year and would reccomend it to anyone who is trying to prepare for a canoe trip. The book coverse everything from basic wilderness orientation and safety to paddling techniques and scouting. While the equipment available to canoeists has dramatically improved in the 30 (?) years since this book was written, the techniques and advice they provide are timeless. Even the experienced paddler will enjoy this quick and entertaining read.

I honestly have no idea if this is a good book or not. My issue is that the book is set in 8 point type and I can't even read it with my glasses on. Looks like some bean counter got their way. What a shame.

I read this book in the early 80's when I was still in college. It inspired me and some college friends to go on an overnight canoe trip in Arkansas over spring break. It's a great adventure story, a little technical about paddling techniques, portages, etc. but an exciting story nonetheless.

The book has many interesting aspects to the outdoor tripping. A long time information that isn't nor hasn't been out classed. It's gear without brand name dropping that others lean to. It has ideas yet covered by others ... In short you need this book to go ahead of the class in preparation for your trips whether they be weekend or month long trips.