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Books
North of
Desolation Sound
by Peter
Vassilopoulos
Seagraphic
Publications, 2004
ISBN 0-919317-32-4
208 pp, color maps
& photos, index
$46.95 Cdn, www.
seagraphic.com
This colorful, lavishly illustrated guide to
the area between the Yucultas and Port
Hardy, BC, provides up-to-date information
and images to all mariners who wish to
travel north of Desolation Sound. While
written primarily for power and sailboaters,
this book is equally valuable to paddlers.
Longtime coastal explorer and writer, Peter
Vassilopoulos, lends his skill at recording
need-to-know facts and figures to this guide
about a part of the coast that is fascinating
in its history and beautiful in its topography.
Dependable anchorages, safe routes and
avoidable hazards are identified among
the hidden passages and remote coves and
islands that provide a lifetime of exploration
possibilities. Pick up this book and you’ll
not only want to go there, but will feel
confident that you have an expert guide to
show you the way.
Reviews by Diana Mumford DianaMumford@WaveLengthMagazine.com
Afoot & Afloat:
The San Juan Islands
4th Edition
by Marge & Ted Mueller
The Mountaineers Books,
2004
ISBN 0-89886-881-5
272 pp, b/w photos and
maps, $16.95 US, www.
mountaineersbooks.org
This popular guide to outdoor adventure,
updated for its fourth edition, is a musthave
for anyone setting out to explore the
San Juans, whether you are visiting by car
or boat. Although the islands are small,
there is much to see and do, both on land
and on the water, and longtime residents
Marge and Ted Mueller are just the people
to make sure you don’t miss a thing—
whale watching, scuba diving, nature
viewing, beach walking, history lessons,
cycling, paddling, fishing… They have
included all the essential how-to-get-there
information with facilities details, mileages,
ferry terminals, anchorages and marinas;
interesting notes about local attractions;
maps to help plan your itinerary; and
fascinating sidebars describing historical
landmarks and events and plants and
animals you are likely to encounter. This
guidebook is sure to add another level of
enjoyment to your exploration of the San
Juans. Other volumes in the Afoot & Afloat
series are: British Columbia’s Gulf Islands;
Seattle’s Lakes, Bays & Waterways; North
Puget Sound, Middle Puget Sound & Hood
Canal; South Puget Sound.
Kayak Routes of the
Pacific Northwest
Coast, 2nd edition
edited by Peter McGee
Greystone Books, 2004
ISBN 1-55365-033-6
352 pp, b/w maps &
photos, index
$22.95 Cdn, www.
greystonebooks.com
T
his compilation of information
contributed by twenty-seven northwest
coast paddlers (including WaveLength
Editor, Alan Wilson) was first published in
1998 by the BC Marine Trail Association.
The updated and expanded 2004 edition
explores eighteen regions from Oregon
to BC’s Central Coast, Haida Gwaii and
the west coast of Vancouver Island, now
including the Lower Columbia River, Klemtu
and Queen Charlotte Strait. Whether you
are planning a day paddle or an excursion
anywhere on the coast, you have the benefit
of local knowledge of the people who
have been paddling in their home waters
for years. All the necessary details are
covered for each of more than thirty kayak
routes—skill level, trip duration, hazards,
appropriate charts and tide tables, camp
sites, launch sites, transport information,
equipment rentals and tours available. Also
included is an invaluable list of contact
names, addresses and phone numbers for
each region.
Peter McGee helped found the BC MTA
to create water trails along the Pacific
Northwest Coast that combine recreational
and conservation values.
WEST COAST EXPEDITIONS
Educational Nature Tours since 1974
Sea Kayaking in the Kyuquot Wilderness, BC
www.WestCoastExpeditions.com
Toll Free 800-665-3040
•Basecamp comforts
•Educational focus
•Cultural contact
•Family oriented
•All-inclusive
46 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com June/July 2004