Download The Wild Coast: Volume 2: A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreational Guide for the North and Central B.C. Coast (The Wild Coast) fb2

This is a book for sea kayakers intending to paddle the North Coast of British Columbia. I'm an American, but I paddle the coast of BC a lot. I used to use American sources to plan trips in BC but I found that many campsites referenced in American sources were sketchily referenced, overgrown with vegetation from not been used in a long time, or were not solid campsites because they were only usable in neap tide conditions (underwater near new moon or full moon) when overnight tides are highest. I was having these difficulties when I met a Canadian kayak guide instructor from the University of Victoria who asked me a disarming question. She asked, "Why would you rely on American sources to paddle in Canada? Why don't you use Canadian sources?" I was ashamed to say I never considered that. She recommended this book. It's hard to find, except online, even in Canada. The book contains invaluable information ("local knowledge") of conditions on the coast of BC, including excellent maps, that isn't present in American sources by Americans just passing through BC on the way to Alaska. The author here is Canadian, whose agenda is more limited to exhaustively documenting BC waters. This same author also (John Kimantas) offers "The BC Coast Explorer and marine trail guide" that comes in three volumes, published by Coast & Kayak. There is clear overlap in information between the two series of books, but I don't regard that as significant in light of the costs of getting there and being there to begin with. Every campsite has a reported GPS position, and the indicated campsites are further distinguished by symbols showing the quality of the site and whether it is usable at all moon phase and tidal conditions. Each is indicated on high quality maps appended to each chapter. For some areas, the publisher also offers waterproof nautical maps for use on deck, and together they are the ultimate source of information for paddling the BC coast. The author has at least one book that includes information on hiking trails, but I haven't read that because my hiking is limited to the beach and around the campsite. More information is available at www.thewildcoast.ca. There are good, credible American sources, such as Denis Dwyer's "Alone in the Passage," which I recommend, but that is focused on the technique and tactics of paddling the Inside Passage from Puget Sound to Skagway, Alaska. Dwyer's book references many of the same campsites, including GPS coordinates of campsites personally used by Dwyer, but by design it can't contain the depth of detail about the BC coast available in a three-volume series published in Canada for regular Canadian paddlers in BC. John Kimantas is unequivocally the authority on paddling BC, and his related maps (published separately) are the best, where available. The printing quality and paper used is excellent. These books are expensive, but worth every penny. Americans going to paddle in Canada should plan using Canadian source materials. To me at least, that now appears obvious. I'd like also to mention to my fellow Americans that another invaluable Canadian resource is available online, including interactive satellite maps, without cost or membership at www.bcmarinetrails.org.

This is a necessary kayakers resourse to this part of Canada. Until Kimantis wrote this book (and its two companions) there was little if any information about kayaking Canada's western coast outside of the Gulf Islands. Thanks John!

The Wild Coast series is a must for sea kayakers wanting to explore the BC coastlines. The details are enticing, and the campsite recommendations are spot on. I use this series all the time in planning 8-17 day expeditions through BC waters.

Fantastic book

There is no other book that covers what this does and few guide books with this quality of info & maps written by such an experienced paddler. The author has done a great service passing on his knowledge.
Only criticism is it is difficult to locate campsites on the maps provided.