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Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive Guide to the Classics
Review: Douglass North was a founder of the Rivers Council of Washington and produced this comprehensive guide to the most popular whitewater runs in Washington State. The guide includes what many regard as the 34 best runs in the State although nothing above class IV is included and those looking for a guide to creeking and a more comprehensive guide to the state's whitewater would do better to refer to Jeff Bennett's Guide to the Whitewater Rivers of Washington (which includes over 320 different runs).Runs included in North's guide are on the following rivers: Cowlitz, Spokane (Upper and Lower), Lower Soleduck (Middle and Lower), Naches, Middle Fork Snoqualmie (Upper and Middle), Sauk, Skagit, Stehekin, Elwha, Lewis, Grande Ronde, Suiattle, Wenatchee, Cispus (Upper and Lower), Entiat, White, Chiwawa, Tieton, NF Nooksack, NF Snoqualmie, Kalama, Klickitat, White Salmon, Methow, Chewuch, Toutle, Green, Skykomish, and NF Skykomish. The runs are organized into categories of intermediate, advanced, and expert although the runs classified as expert would be considered more intermediate-advanced runs by most. Each river description is very detailed with a river map that includes all rapids greater than class II along with symbols for access points, bridges, campgrounds, and unimproved campsites. Those familiar with Oregon's companion guide, John Garren's Oregon River Tours, will find it to be similar in format. This guide includes conservation and access message throughout reflecting North's long history as a river advocate in Washington State. Even though the guide was last revised in 1999 however, it's a bit dated and one gets the impression that North has been spending less time on the water. For the most part however descriptions to access points are good and the guide is very raft friendly. Those who just go out a few times to explore the best runs the region has to offer will find this guide particularly useful. Those who have more of an explorer spirit and enjoy roping their gear down into remote canyons will be disappointed. In addition to Bennett's comprehensive guide boaters might also consider Verne Huser's guide to river tours in Western Washington focused on flatwater and mild rapids (nothing above class II) that would be of more interest to those looking for a scenic float trip.
Rating: 
Summary: Best One Out There
Review: This book sets the standard for how rafting guide books should be written. It gives all the information you need before running a river: maps, river flow data including recommended ranges, directions to the put-ins and take-outs, and river logs identifying various rapids and hazards (as well as suggestions on how to negotiate them). If only the river trips could be as good as the book. While there is good rafting in Washington, don't be surprised to encounter rainy weather, ice-cold water, short float seasons, crummy put-ins/takeouts, and narrow, log-constricted rivers!
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