I have read a few posts on river-related social media sites regarding the “best” guidebook for a particular river, and a recent one prompted me to write a response, which I am reproducing here:
This is an interesting question, and one I have pondered over the years. Each author has a different take on what makes for a great guidebook. I can’t speak for others, but I can speak for myself. We started rafting in the 1980’s, and guidebooks came in various forms and formats. Most, though, didn’t show many (if any) campsites, often gave no information about rapids, and were inconsistent about which way the river runs on the page. Most were printed on some flavor of cellulose paper that didn’t like getting wet. We started publishing map books and guidebooks after a couple of Grand Canyon trips almost three decades ago when the only options were the Belknap and Stevens guides. Neither were really geared towards self-guided boaters in those days, but both had plenty of good information about the canyon, especially the Stevens guidebook.
For the maps, we quickly settled on a large-format book printed at the familiar USGS map scale of 2,000 feet per inch with the river flowing up on each page. Specific river information was added in large color-coded type to make orientation while on the river fast and easy. A map that requires careful study isn’t always convenient or useful on the river. As for the text, trying to describe rapids at all levels has never appealed to me. I occasionally joke “read the river, not the guidebook”. My personal opinion (yours may vary) is that trying to learn a run from illustrations just doesn’t give one an appreciation for speed, timing, and technique. Any rapid where a boater isn’t sure of the line or their ability to read the river should be scouted. If it is a “busy” river or scouting isn’t an option (Gore Canyon, anyone?), it’s probably best to run it first with experienced boaters. Our approach is to provide enough text for river runners to judge the difficulty level of a river or particular rapid so they could determine if their skills are adequate to the challenge. We also try to provide enough descriptive text and photos to give context to the river, its environment, and history.
We are not and never have been paid guides. We come at this entirely from the perspective of self-guided boaters. Our personal experience and needs drive how we develop our books. Most guidebook authors seem to have been paid river guides or have professional experience related to a specific river. Their guidebooks are frequently very detailed and packed with much useful information, but the density of information makes them difficult to use when floating down the river.
In summary, we try to fill a niche with easy-to-read maps and enough information for a boater with suitable experience to guide themselves down a river. As we state in every book, every boater is responsible for their own safety. A guidebook is not a substitute for experience and judgment. Each boater should have the skills and experience with river running that no book can replace. If one doesn’t, one should not assume that a guidebook will keep them out of trouble.
~ Duwain Whitis