Canyoneering: The San Rafael Swell [Paperback]

Steve Allen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Steve Allen's commitment to exploring every nook and cranny in southern Utah's vast network of maze-like canyons has granted him legendary status. His guide to the San Rafael Swell is the first volume in a three-part series that will captivate both novice hikers and elite rock climbers alike. Unlike many guides, Allen takes time to discuss the Swell's rich history, which undoubtedly lends itself to the reader's greater appreciation for the land. But this guide is not a misty-eyed overview. Allen knows that canyoneering leads hikers into confusing territory, so his landmark descriptions are presented in meticulous detail. He covers 63 separate adventures and manages to cover them with a skillful writer's grace and a mad scientist's penchant for detail. --Ben Tiffany

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: University of Utah Press (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874803721
• ISBN-13: 978-0874803723
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #442,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #58 in

  Books > Travel > United States > States > Utah

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guidebook, Enthusiastic author., January 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Canyoneering: The San Rafael Swell (Paperback)

A great guide to a vast number of adventures in the San Rafael Swell, what really makes this a quinta-stellar masterpiece is Steve Allen's enormous enthusiasm for the wild places. A variety of hikes are covered and Steve has an amazing attention to detail. Anyone who's looking for information on hiking in the Swell will find this the best book. While most of the hikes are of the hard core variety, there are enough easy hikes to keep the less vigorous busy for a few years.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New, revised edition in the works, April 20, 2008

By	busotti - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canyoneering: The San Rafael Swell (Paperback)

Don't pay a ridiculous collectors price. A corrected, new and better edition is in the works, and the profit will go the the author/publisher.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars alot of detail, comprehensive, November 4, 2003

By	sherry bunch (Avon, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Canyoneering: The San Rafael Swell (Paperback)

Steve's book gives plenty of information to find these hikes with lots of detail about the highlights and routes. Being an experienced mountaineer but a novice canyoneer, I did find selecting hikes a little difficult without a rating system. I would recommend using the Falcon Guide to the same area in conjunction and as a cross reference to avoid getting in over your head. If you can only buy one, get this one, as the 2nd half of the book contains a rich overview of the history and geology of the area which will highly enhance your visit.