1 comments about Stikine River (Alaska Geographic).

1. The Stikene River careens through northern British Columbia past magnificent mountains, cutting canyons deeper, carrying salmon to the Pacific and tossing adventurous kayakers high over its rapids. In years past, it was a primary trade route for the natives of the area, and was instrumental transporting miners during the Yukon Gold Rush. However, all of these facts, so well detailed in this volume, are nothing in comparison to the photographs of a harsh and stunningly beautiful land. The brute strength of the enormous quantity of water, the utter isolation of the still largely unexplored costal mountains and the breathtaking vistas are the images that you will be left with. With those images will be a nostalgia of a life you may have had 20,000 years ago and the desire to sell all your belongings to finance your next exploration.

2 comments about The Last Wilderness.

1. In this stunning book, Freeman Patterson creates stunning images and imaginative uses of the photographic medium.



2. This book contains over 140 images of landscapes, flora, fauna and close-ups that brilliantly convey the diverse, yet fragile, nature of the wilderness within the Canadian borders.
   
   Short essays on the state of the Canadian wilderness from Freeman Patterson and members of the Canadian Nature Federation accompany the full colour images which have been taken by numerous leading nature photographers.
   
   The images are mostly presented one per page on high quality glossy paper in a large format book. Thankfully, there are few examples of the annoying process of printing images across two pages and thus losing some of the image in the page gutter.
   
   Those interested in the technicalities of the photographs may be a little disappointed to note that the images are not accompanied by any technical information such as shutter speed, aperture, camera/lens, film type etc... However, the images do provide inspiration in abundance for the budding nature photographer.
   
   As well as being a book on the environment /ecology of the Canadian wilderness, the sumptuous images within this book make it a classic "coffee table book". I firmly believe that anyone buying this book will not regret doing so - it would be a fine addition to anyone's collection.

No comments about City Walks: Toronto 50 Adventures on Foot (City Walks).

No comments about Fodor's Montreal and Quebec City 2009 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

No comments about Weekend Escape: Montreal (World Travel Guides Series).

No comments about Southeastern BC Fishing Mapbook: Okanagan/Kootenay.

1 comments about BC Coastal Recreation Kayaking and Small Boat Atlas: Volume 2, British Columbia's West Vancouver Island.

1. John Kimantas had enough research and insight to break up the West Coast region of Canada into a three volume set (known as the 'Wild Coast Series') and offer detail never before seen of one of the finest kayak destinations in the world. With the almost-overnight success this series, I was eager for the chance to check out his next venture - the BC Atlas series that accompany the books.
   
   Note: Perhaps as a testament to their popularity, both the books and atlases have been difficult items to keep in stock. It would ultimately keep me waiting for almost six weeks to obtain my Atlas.
   
   I purchased Volume II which covers the entire West coast of Vancouver Island. The quality of the production is top notch: 51 water-repellent laminate pages including a 'splash proof' outer book-cover definitely made me feel like I received my money's worth (I paid $26.00 at Amazon, compared to the List price of $40.00). Each page is in full and rich color with photos included of noteworthy sites and locations. As described, the maps offer useful information specific to kayakers that you would not normally find on any chart - campsites, anchorages, launches, wildlife viewing/nesting areas, trails, ruins, intertidal areas, navigation markers and call-in points. In addition, these maps are littered with interesting tidbits, such as 'exceptional sand island; may be surf', 'recommended kayaking' areas, and 'potentially dangerous turbulence off the Point', etc. Information you would hope to have on hand before planning your visit the area. It would have been nice if he elaborated more detail with regards to First Nation Heritage sites - such as known fish traps, clam beds, middens and such.
   
   My biggest issue with this product is the scale - 1:100,000 when compared to the Canadian Hydrographic Charts of 1:40,000. Granted, trying to keep in scale with the Hydro-charts would almost triple the size of the atlas (as well as the cost). The Hydrographic charts do offer more lush topographical detail and professional appearance. I compare it to the DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer Series.... great resource, but when you are at the trailhead, you are better served with a good old topomap.
   
   That said, I think Kimantas does every serious kayaker a service by offering a powerful set of resources for everyone to use. His work alone, renders most other guide publications of the same area obsolete. These are excellent tools for planning your next trip and I am pleased to have access to them. I would consider using a BC atlas for shorter trips. But for the extended excursions, you still cannot go wrong with a good old Hydrographic Chart.

No comments about The Canadian Geographic Quiz Book.

1 comments about A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Cottage Country (Paddler's Guide).

1. Kallan gives you detailed info on a number of great trips through the Kawarthas, Muskokas and Georgian Bay regions of Ontario. Decent maps coincide with route descriptions and Kallan pinpoints his favourite campsites along the way. He touches on fishing here and there and adds humour in his text, making it a pleasant read. One of my favourite features of the book is the crisp and colourful pictures that accompany each of the route descriptions. Recent editions of Kallan's work went to black and white photos, which was a negative in my books.

No comments about Old Indian Trails of the Canadian Rockies (Mountain Classics Collection).