[Paddlewise] Review: Kayak Routes of the PacNW Coast

I've been working my way through "Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest
Coast," edited by Peter McGee (The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA[US] and
Greystone Books, Vancouver, BC[Canada]; US$14.95 and CDN$19.95), a
brand-new sea kayaking guidebook for the waters in and around Puget
Sound and the BC coast.

McGee is a principal in the BC Marine Trail Association, the copyright
owner, and, I gather, a long-time sea kayak paddler.  He serves as
editor, each section being written by one or more authors having
expertise pertinent to the described region.  The book is well-produced,
with generally very good writing, notably Rupert Wong's dissertation on
Kyuquot Sound.  Difficulty levels and warnings of hazards seem to be
appropriate, at least for the couple areas where I have first-hand
knowledge.

Some areas, generally the more popular ones nearer to Vancouver, BC,
have fairly detailed coverage, with apparently well-known, established
campsites accurately located and hazards clearly delineated.  Others,
such as the Nuchatlitz/Experanza Inlet system, are scantly covered, with
much of the detail gleanable in a single trip left out.  Kirby Stevens'
maps, for instance, show more campsites and historical features in the
Esperanza/Nuchatlitz system.  (I could not find one of Kirby's sites
last summer when I was slightly desperate, so maybe McGee's approach is
the better!)

As guidebooks go, this one is very good.  It teases with enough detail
to get the reader interested and haul out the charts, but does not nail
every precious spot down in stark colors.  Few special, isolated,
fragile spots will be "destroyed" by this book.  It may, however, spread
out the hordes a little, an aim of the editor, I believe.  In fact, the
approach to each region is tailored somewhat to its ethic:  the
Charlottes have almost no specific campsites identified, in keeping with
current Parks policy of "random camping," while the Brokens, with their
codified campsites, receive the "specifics" treatment.

The authors show appropriate respect and sensitivity to the rights and
heritage of First Nations peoples, a feature I found particularly
enriching.

The book is an invitation to explore beyond the places you usually go,
and is worthwhile as an initial reference to a new area.  It does not
have the depth of, say, Mary Ann Snowden's "Island Paddling," which I
have used a fair amount.  This is a good-and-bad thing.  I like Mary
Ann's prose, and enjoy pawing through her histories and stories when I'm
tent-bound.  Others may be annoyed by her "directions" to their special
sea cave or unique beach.

Can't please everyone!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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