Some of these books may be out of print but still available through interlibrary loan or used-book sources.
American Canoe Association. Introduction to Paddling: Canoeing Basics for Lakes and Rivers. Birmingham AL: Menasha Ridge, 1996.
Cassady, Jim, Bill Cross, and Fryar Calhoun. Western Whitewater: From the Rockies to the Pacific, a River Guide for Raft, Kayak, and Canoe. Berkeley CA: North Fork, 1994.
Conover, Garrett. Beyond the Paddle: A Canoeist’s Guide to Expedition Skills: Poling, Lining, Portaging, and Maneuvering through the Ice. Gardiner ME: Tilbury House, 1991. A thorough and engaging treatment of less common canoe tripping skills.
Davidson, James West, and John Rugge. The Complete Wilderness Paddler. New York: Vintage Books, 1983. A classic in how-to literature, using a trip tale to hang the information on.
Geiger, Beth, ed. Paddle Sports. Bethesda MD: Discovery Communications, 2000.
Getchell, Annie, and Dave Getchell Jr. The Essential Outdoor Gear Manual: Equipment Care, Repair, and Selection. 2nd ed. Camden ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 2000. Good overview of how to deal with and care for all manner of outdoor equipment.
Jettmar, Karen. The Alaska River Guide: Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting in the Last Frontier. Anchorage: Alaska Northwest, 1998.
Kellogg, Zip, ed. The Whole Paddler’s Catalog. Camden ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 1997.
Kesselheim, Alan S. Going Inside: A Couple’s Journey of Renewal into the North. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1995. A second trans-Canadian expedition tale, this time with a baby along in utero.
Kesselheim, Alan S. Threading the Currents: A Paddler’s Passion for Water. Washington DC: Island Press, 1998. A collection of water-based stories drawn from some twenty-five years of paddling experiences.
Kesselheim, Alan S. Trail Food: Drying and Cooking Food for Backpackers and Paddlers. Camden ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 1998. My own guide to drying food for wilderness trips, with more than fifty recipes.
Kesselheim, Alan S. Water and Sky: Reflections of a Northern Year. Golden CO: Fulcrum, 1989. My adventure tale of my first yearlong journey across Canada.
Kraiker, Rolf, and Debra Kraiker. Cradle to Canoe: Camping and Canoeing with Children. Erin ON: Boston Mills Press, 1999.
Manley, Atwood, and Paul F. Jamieson. Rushton and His Times in American Canoeing. Syracuse NY: Syracuse University Press, 1968. The story of one of America’s most notable canoe builders and the birth of recreational paddling in North America.
Morse, Eric W. Fur Trade Canoe Routes of Canada: Then and Now. 2nd ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1979. A great source of northern trip ideas, with lots of historical information.
Niemi, Judith, and Barbara Wieser, eds. Rivers Running Free: Canoeing Stories by Adventurous Women. Seattle: Seal Press, 1992. A nice collection of paddling adventures undertaken by North American women.
Olson, Sigurd F. The Singing Wilderness. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1997. Perhaps the best work by this Minnesota nature writer, wilderness paddler, and conservationist.
Patterson, R. M. Dangerous River: Adventure on the Nahanni. Erin ON: Boston Mills, 1999. A reissued version of the rollicking tale of a season spent in the wilds of northern Canada. Told in great style.
Powell, John Wesley. The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons. New York: Penguin, 1997. The best rendering of one-armed John Wesley Powell’s account of his first descent of the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869. A true adventure.
Ray, Slim. The Canoe Handbook: Techniques for Mastering the Sport of Canoeing. Harrisburg PA: Stackpole, 1992.
Ross, Cindy, and Todd Gladfelter. Kids in the Wild. Seattle: Mountaineers, 1995.
Seidman, David, and Paul Cleveland. The Essential Wilderness Navigator. 2nd ed. Camden ME, Ragged Mountain Press, 2001. For those who want to dive into the intricacies of map and compass.
Sevareid, Eric. Canoeing with the Cree. St. Paul MN: Minnesota Historical Society, 1968. A classic piece of inspiration and adventure, originally published in 1935, based on the story of two young men who put a canoe in the water in their home town and paddled north to Hudson Bay.
Stelmok, Jerry, and Rollin Thurlow. The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to Its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance. Gardiner ME: Harpswell Press, 1987. A book devoted to the wood and canvas canoe, complete with instructions on how to build, repair, and maintain your own.
Walbridge, Charles, and Wayne Sundmacher Sr. Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters. Camden ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 1995.
Wilkerson, James A. Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities. 4th ed. Seattle: Mountaineers, 1992. This remains the authoritative wilderness first aid and treatment guide. Get the most recent edition and put it in the trip first aid kit.
Backpacker
33 E. Minor St.
Emmaus PA 18098
610-967-8296
E-mail:editor@backpacker.com
Leading outdoor recreation journal, with some emphasis on paddling stories.
Canoe and Kayak
10526 N.E. 68th St., Suite 3
Kirkland WA 98033
800-829-3340, 425-827-6363
Fax 425-827-1893
E-mail:subscribe@canoekayak.com
The leading periodical of paddle sports. The annual buyer’s guide is especially valuable.
Che-Mun: The Newsletter of Canadian Wilderness Canoeing
P.O. Box 548, Station O
Toronto ON
CANADA M4A 2P1
416-789-2142
Fax 416-789-7553
E-mail:mpeake@rogers.wave.ca
The best, and most interesting, publication devoted to wilderness trips in the North and the issues that relate to northern expeditions.
Kanawa
P.O. Box 398
Merrickville ON
CANADA KOG INO
888-2KANAWA (888-252-6292)
Fax 613-269-2908
E-mail: staff@crca.ca
Paddler
The American Canoe Association is the granddaddy of paddling clubs in North America. The Web site includes affiliate clubs, publications (books and magazines), conferences and events, and general information for paddlers.
American Rivers is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of rivers. Publishes a newsletter, promotes advocacy and political action.
The Web site for American Whitewater, an organization devoted to whitewater paddling, with special emphasis given to boating safety and rescues and to issues involving river access.
A general outdoor site, with some attention given to paddling.
The Web site for Native Trails, Inc., a worldwide nonprofit geographic and educational organization that traces major historic travel routes. The Web site has information on canoe trails, particularly in the Northern Forest.
A site maintained by Backpacker magazine, devoted to general recreation, including paddling.
The general tourism and travel site for all of Canada. From here, link to specific topics of recreation or go to the province or territory you’re interested in.
Use this site to get into the main site maintained by the United States Geological Survey. The two most useful features found here are the Current Streamflow site, which maintains an up-to-the-minute record of water levels on all streams and rivers with gauging stations. They are organized by state and also show historical records for stream flows, which can provide useful comparative data. This site also links to map ordering information, online or off.
Site for the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, a nonprofit group working to preserve the history and heritage of traditional canoes.
Adventure Quest
P.O. Box 184
Woodstock VT 05091
802-484-3939
Bear Paw Outdoor
Adventure Resort
California Canoe and Kayak
Jack London Square
409 Water St.
Oakland CA 94607
800-366-9804, 510-893-7833
E-mail: calkayak@aol.com
Madawaska Kanu Centre
P.O. Box 635
Barry’s Bay ON
CANADA KOJ 1BO
613-756-3620, 613-594-5268
(winter)
E-mail: paddle@owl-mkc.ca
Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
New England Outdoor Center
RiverRun Paddling Centre
Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center
National Association for Search and Rescue
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO)
Wilderness Medicine Institute
Wilderness Medical Associates
Topographic Maps for the United States
United States Geological Survey Information Services
Topographic Maps for Canada
Canada Map Office
615 Booth St.
Ottawa ON
CANADA K1A OE9
800-465-6277, 613-952-7000
Fax 800-661-6277
ScanSport, Inc.