Canyoneering 3 (Paperback)

by Steve Allen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Steve Allen describes the Escalante National Monument as "a twisted, complex web of sandstone; a jigsaw puzzle of canyons, draws, gorges and washes." His guide, Canyoneering 3, is the latest installment in a series that helps debunk myths of desert hiking being little more than strolling over flat, sandy landscapes. Allen walks the reader through 23 hikes with necessarily wordy descriptions, proving that Escalante is as complicated as it is picturesque. The author is regarded as a legend among canyoneers; you couldn't find a better tour guide to steer you through. --Ben Tiffany

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: University of Utah Press (October 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874805457
• ISBN-13: 978-0874805451
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #301,026 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve Allen's book runs loops around other hiking guides, August 13, 1998

By A Customer

I have hiked the Escalante country several times, but, of course, nothing like Allen did in researching the terrain for this outstanding book. This guide is soooo much better than any of the Kelsey series that a comparison is inappropriate. If you plan to hike in the Escalante country, Allen's book will return the purchase price in the gas you save by using his road mileage/trailhead guides. This is only a start, Allen provides excellent historical, conservation, and geological information. His hike descriptions contain essential information about time required (and, these are reasonable estimates, unlike the grand-standing machoism of Kelsey), skill level required, and important details to keep you on-route. And, Allen lives in the area, something few hiking guide authors can report. His knowledge of the desert canyon country has been well-demonstrated in his previous guides about the San Rafael. And, he displays excellent ethics in his discussions about low-impact camping and how you can get involved in saving this gem of amazing space, tight canyons, your public land. This is a wonderful work-horse book, for the pragmatic explorer. Sorry, it only qualifies as a "coffee table" book if you are a true adventurer of delightful desert country. Rob Jones

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Masterwork of Backcountry Description, March 11, 2000

By	Tom Jones "canyoneer" (Kane County, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Oh My God. Having delved into this book in preparation for an upcoming week in the Escalante, I am bowled over by the breadth and depth of this phenomenal book. Amazing. This covers in fine detail backcountry travel routes in the very large and very wild Escalante area. Does not even compare to any other guide I have ever seen. There is such a depth of detail... Plus Steve's enthusiasm for the southlands exudes from the text.

This is an extraordinary book. Emphasis is on longer adventures, but there are also good day trips. Folks looking for placid strolls down well developed trails should probably look elsewhere. Not only are there few developed trails in the Escalante, but they are not described here.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Young Turk, January 2, 2005

By	Young Turk - See all my reviews

If you have not used a Steve Allen guidebook before, they are indispensable in Canyon Country. His love of these places is evident in the care with which he writes. Steve has been hiking the Colorado Plateau for over 15 years now extensively and much of that time was spent researching this guidebook for the Escalante area. You won't find routes listed in here that were only hiked a single time, they were hiked, reworked, and double-checked many times. Canyoneering is hard core, and the routes into and out of the canyons are areas to easily get lost in. Good directions and good maps are a must. Steve's books also have lots of interesting tid bits on local and natural history. Check out Canyoneering I and II if you like this one.