Customer Reviews

Whitewater Trips for Kayakers, Canoeists, and Rafters in British Columbia

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While this book is now somewhat dated (published in 1986) and out of print, it still remains the classic guide to whitewater paddling opportunities in Southwestern British Columbia. This book does not describe the dozens of "new-school" runs that have been discovered over the last decade and some of the drops mentioned as unrunnable are now routinely paddled. For that reason, this book is no longer considered comprehensive and you won't find any mention of well-known runs such as the Stein, Ashlu Creek, Homathko, or the dozens of other world-class creek runs in the Whistler area and Fraser Valley. This book is however a comprehensive guide to the classic runs that were originally pioneered in long fiberglass boats. It's long past time for a new guidebook to take this one's place but for nearly two decades this has been the best available. The rivers described are all great runs that are still enjoyed today.

Consider this book a starting place to explore the wonderful rivers of BC. For intermediate paddlers or anyone looking for fun play runs this book likely covers most of the rivers you'll be interested in. If you are a creek boater on a road trip to experience the best BC has to offer you won't find much in this guide. The guide covers 38 different runs along with the world-famous tidal rapid at Skookumchuck. These include runs on the following rivers: Capilano, Seymour, Coquitlam, Kanaka, Elaho-Squamish, Cheakamus, Birkenhead, Lillooet, Chilliwack, Chehalis, Cogburn, Big Creek, Silver Creek, Coquihalla, Similkameen, Tulameen, Mission Creek, Shuswap, Seymour, Adams, Clearwater, North Barriere, Bridge, Cayoosh Creek, Nicola, Thompson, Nahatlatch. While the book is old, the river maps are excellent and as long as you can calibrate your frame of reference appropriately the guide will give you a good idea of what each river is like.