Wildwater West Virginia, 4th (Paperback)

~ Paul Davidson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Though it sports a new name and look, A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to West Virginia (formerly Wildwater West Virginia) is still the definitive guide to whitewater in the Mountain State. Thirty years after the initial printing, this book continues to bring paddlers the best of West Virginia's waters: from classics rivers, such as the Gauley, the New, and the Tygart, to steep creeks like North Fork of Blackwater and Meadow River. At-a-glance information for each river section helps boaters pick rivers to match their ability and current weather conditions, while river descriptions, gauge and shuttle route information provide additional critical information. Whether boating in kayaks, canoes, or sit-on-tops, paddlers will find more than enough rivers to fit their interest or skill level. In addition, literary interludes scattered throughout each book will invoke the spirit of paddling, encouraging readers' contemplation of past and future trips. Appendices include websites, gauge information, and safety information, making this book a valuable resource in planning out the next trip. From meandering riffled streams to on-the-edge, in-your-face steep creeks, these guides contains the best each state has to offer.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

For over two decades Wildwater West Virginia has been helping canoeists, kayakers, and rafters run rivers in the Mountain State. Now in its original single volume, this guide presents the combined knowledge of hundreds of paddlers, showing the way to unexpected beauty and excitement. From easy float trips to extreme steep-creek boating, this guide has something for everyone. Consistent with the vision of its original authors, Wildwater West Virginia has recently been updated by long-time river rat, Charlie Walbridge, who has made this state his second home for over twenty years. Included in this new edition are up-to-date gauging information (with phone recordings and computer bulletin boards), revised maps, and river data on a number of new runs, including Mill Creek, Mann's Creek, Upper Otter, Seneca, Red Creek, the Upper Little Kanawha, and Fikes Creek. More than an encyclopedia of mountain rivers and hydrologic data, this book is also a collection of experiences and an introduction to some of the most amazing geography in the East. Destined to ride in the dry bags and glove compartments of paddlers nationwide, Wildwater West Virginia makes a strong plea for preservation of our water resources at a time when so many people take for granted these natural treasures. (6 x 9, 304 pages, maps, b&w photos)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press; 4th edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897321561
• ISBN-13: 978-0897321563
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,530,372 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will never be on the bookshelf, April 28, 2004

By	D. Karlsson (Fairview, WV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to West Virginia, 5th (Paperback)

I just recently discovered this book when a friend loaned it to me, and I can't wait to order my copy. This is a nice reference book that will stay on my coffee table from April to September. I do a lot of canoeing/fishing on the rivers in the summer, and this book has already led me to a lot of great floats that I didn't know about, even though I'm a native West Virginian. It's not going to tell you what to expect around every bend, but it does list the more notable areas of each river, including the dangers and problems you may encounter.

The first section of the book has basic information on canoeing and kayaking, terms and definitions, dealing with locals, phone numbers and other sources of information, and more (Much of this is written in a humorous way, reminding me somewhat of Pat McManus).

The book then lists each river basin, and after a short description of the area and a little history, it breaks it up into sections. The layout for each section is as follows:

1.TABLE - Contains capacities and ratings of the section including rapid classes, river gradient, water volume, scenery rating, time of trip, and river level.

2.MAPS - List of the names of the USGS maps and county maps that cover the section area.

3.DESCRIPTION - Describes the river, the scenery, and any other noteworthy aspects of the trip.

4.DIFFICULTIES - Notes any dangerous areas or other problems you may encounter along the way.

5.SHUTTLE - Suggests put-in and take-out spots or if there are any shuttle services provided.

6.GAUGE - Notes locations of river level gauges, phone numbers to call for river level information, or just basic references to gauge the level of the river for navigability. (I especially like this. Many times it goes something like, "If there are three stones showing on the so-and-so bridge, you should have no problems from point A to point B." This is nice since so many of our rivers have isolated sections that are nearly impossible to scout.)

If you live in West Virginia and want to canoe or kayak, or if you are planning a trip here for some river sports, this book is a great buy for the money.