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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:32 AM 6/12/98, Dave Kruger wrote: >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. (snip)>-- >Dave Kruger >Astoria, OR A new paddling book for the PNW! Summer reading! Thanks for the book review, Dave. I like Mary Ann's book too. I'll go get this new one this weekend. Diane, Victoria *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
What we do not need is more guide books:( Its one of the bigger rip-off's you can do to your fellow kaykers. A guide book is a sure sign that an area is over run or about to be. Read a chart and find it your self. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Fri, 12 Jun 1998 Tomckayak_at_aol.com wrote: > What we do not need is more guide books:( > > Its one of the bigger rip-off's you can do to your fellow kaykers. > > A guide book is a sure sign that an area is over run or about to be. > > Read a chart and find it your self. > *************************************************************************** I think this is a depressing attitude. Kayaking is still a fledgling sport, and I would say that we should never attempt to hinder other peoples enjoyment or access to kayaking, if not actively help promote this. Guidebooks are one remarkable way to promote the above, for example, with good info on accessibility of launches and campsites -- very important in this day and age of private land and restricted access. Guidebooks also usually have admonitions to behave respectively and paddle safely. There are many other benefits that I would rather not get into now. Those who want their adventure undiluted by someone else's opinion are welcome to not read a guidebook, but guidebooks are great boon to the majority of boaters. I personally find them as an indespensible starting point to many of my trips, although I find most are sadly lacking in mentioning the fun tide rips and play spots. (Does anybody else read the "hazards" section first?) Maybe I'll start compiling a list for for a future guidebook. I would like to know of a place where there are too many sea kayakers. Probably the biggest crowding problem involves other kinds of boats. Whenever I see other kayakers on the water, I consider 'em family. Cheers, Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
K. Whilden wrote: > > On Fri, 12 Jun 1998 Tomckayak_at_aol.com wrote: > > > What we do not need is more guide books:( [snip] > I think this is a depressing attitude. Kayaking is still a fledgling > sport, and I would say that we should never attempt to hinder other > peoples enjoyment or access to kayaking, if not actively help promote > this. Guidebooks are one remarkable way to promote the above, for example, > with good info on accessibility of launches and campsites [snip] > I would like to know of a place where there are too many sea kayakers. > Probably the biggest crowding problem involves other kinds of boats. > Whenever I see other kayakers on the water, I consider 'em family. Well, I know of some places which have a lot of people. Too much? That depends on what you want. Sometimes, yes, there ARE too many people! Too much in that you have to play the "campground game" to find a campsite -- leave your (inferior) campsite very early and arrive at a more desirable one as the current occupants are leaving -- beating those who got out of bed late or took their time paddling! I think Tom's attitude is understandable. I'd be upset if someone nailed down all my little spots in a guidebook of my home paddling area. And, guidebooks do influence folks to try new areas. I think the hordes are a reality. We can not ignore them (us!). I try to visit areas which are not "discovered" yet. That's what I strongly prefer. Some areas, however, like the Brokens, are already saturated with paddlers, and I enjoy them for what they are: a terrific paddling spot with lots of people. Most of the people are very nice, and fun to talk to in camp. They are generally unobtrusive on the water, EXCEPT lots of people have a deleterious effect on seeing wildlife. I've seen first-hand the effects of over-use of high country, some associated with publication of guidebooks. And, I have returned more than once from an extended, off-trail backpack to find my "secret" route or region featured in an outdoor magazine! It sorta gets to be chicken and egg, though, whether the guidebooks CAUSE the overcrowding or the hordes of people lead to the publication of guidebooks. I get a headache thinking about stuff like that! -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Fri, Jun 12, 1998 at 11:43:09AM -0400, Tomckayak_at_aol.com wrote: > What we do not need is more guide books:( > > Its one of the bigger rip-off's you can do to your fellow kaykers. > > A guide book is a sure sign that an area is over run or about to be. I don't find this to be the case at all. I think guidebooks are excellent resources to have on hand, and I consult mine frequently. They're especially useful in the case of wilderness rivers, where abandoning a run partway through is often not an option -- or where significant hazards are difficult to spot without prior knowledge of their existence. Two examples: Muddy Creek in south-central Pennsylvania is a class II+ run almost all the way - but with a class VI deathtrap on its lower section whose approach looks very much like the approaches to the previous several rapids. The fact that Ed Gertler's "Keystone Canoeing" mentions this has probably spared a lot of people a lot of trouble over the years. Or consider the Contoocook in the southern New Hampshire, which, when viewed from the several places where it approaches Route 202, looks like a placid stream suitable for a quiet Sunday float trip. But as soon as it's out of sight of the road, it pounds down through rapids like the solid class IV Freight Train. In my experience, 90% of the paddlers are found on 10% of the rivers. I see no indication at all that guidebooks -- which frequently cover a hundred or more streams -- are responsible for that statistic. It seems much more likely that factors like accessability, familiarity, and reputation have *far* more to do with where people go than guidebooks. ---Rsk Rich Kulawiec rsk_at_gsp.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-06-12 18:18:24 EDT, rsk_at_gsp.org writes: << In my experience, 90% of the paddlers are found on 10% of the rivers. >> I was thinking of Sea Kayaking, a big part of the sport is finding your way over a wide open coast to a good beach. Whitewater paddlers need all the help they can get as they bounce from one rock to the next :) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I think you make a very good point, Dave and I am glad you spoke up. It's kind of like those folks who have move here to Maine, "from Away". After a few years, they forget how happy they were to discover the state and how glad they were to get away from wherever they came from. THEN, they complain about all the "tourists" and "outsiders". Yes, I would love to keep kayaking a secret, now that I know about it. I think many of us feel the same way, but, as a mom and a paddler...I have to remember all things aren't fair or ideal. Debra Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network -----Original Message----- From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_seasurf.com> To: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu> Cc: PaddleWise <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Saturday, June 13, 1998 2:12 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Review: Kayak Routes of the PacNW Coast >K. Whilden wrote: >> >> On Fri, 12 Jun 1998 Tomckayak_at_aol.com wrote: >> >> > What we do not need is more guide books:( [snip] > >> I think this is a depressing attitude. Kayaking is still a fledgling >> sport, and I would say that we should never attempt to hinder other >> peoples enjoyment or access to kayaking, if not actively help promote >> this. Guidebooks are one remarkable way to promote the above, for example, >> with good info on accessibility of launches and campsites [snip] > >> I would like to know of a place where there are too many sea kayakers. >> Probably the biggest crowding problem involves other kinds of boats. >> Whenever I see other kayakers on the water, I consider 'em family. > >Well, I know of some places which have a lot of people. Too much? That >depends on what you want. Sometimes, yes, there ARE too many people! >Too much in that you have to play the "campground game" to find a >campsite -- leave your (inferior) campsite very early and arrive at a >more desirable one as the current occupants are leaving -- beating those >who got out of bed late or took their time paddling! > >I think Tom's attitude is understandable. I'd be upset if someone >nailed down all my little spots in a guidebook of my home paddling >area. And, guidebooks do influence folks to try new areas. > >I think the hordes are a reality. We can not ignore them (us!). I try >to visit areas which are not "discovered" yet. That's what I strongly >prefer. Some areas, however, like the Brokens, are already saturated >with paddlers, and I enjoy them for what they are: a terrific paddling >spot with lots of people. Most of the people are very nice, and fun to >talk to in camp. They are generally unobtrusive on the water, EXCEPT >lots of people have a deleterious effect on seeing wildlife. > >I've seen first-hand the effects of over-use of high country, some >associated with publication of guidebooks. And, I have returned more >than once from an extended, off-trail backpack to find my "secret" route >or region featured in an outdoor magazine! It sorta gets to be chicken >and egg, though, whether the guidebooks CAUSE the overcrowding or the >hordes of people lead to the publication of guidebooks. > >I get a headache thinking about stuff like that! > >-- >Dave Kruger >Astoria, OR >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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