ISBN: 0-89732-957-6. Third edition, June 2008. Softcover. 304 pages. Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches.

Highly sought after by Alaska river runners, The Alaska River Guide is the premier guide to Alaskan paddling. Karen Jettmar’s insightful narrative combined with detailed river maps, photographs, and crucial at-a-glance information provides readers with the knowledge they need to plan a successful Alaska river trip. Details such as cautions to river hazards, prime paddling season, directions to river access points, and summaries of fish and wildlife encountered round out this one-of-a-kind guide.

The rich tapestry of Alaska is threaded together by 365,000 miles of waterways, from cascading mountain streams to meandering valley rivers, from the meltwaters of glaciers to broad rivers that empty into the sea. These waterways run deep in the fabric of Alaskan life, providing means of communication, nutrition, and transport for plants, animals, and people.

This book profiles a wide variety of rivers from all over Alaska, concentrating mainly on trips for intermediate boaters-those who have run Class I and II rivers with proficiency and who possess good wilderness camping skills. Some are good day trips; others involve major expedition planning. Most of the river trips described here are not high-speed experiences requiring helmets, wet suits, and sleek poly playboats-but several are. Some of the rivers are easily accessible by road and offer exciting whitewater runs (Gulkana River, Nenana River, Eagle River). On many of the rivers you can join tours, whether for an hour or for a month. The author looks at rivers as avenues to fine wilderness country and at boats as transportation rather than tools for surviving Class IV rapids.

In writing this guidebook the author tried to not steal away the elements of surprise and adventure that people seek on a wilderness trip. Alaska’s remoteness and size still offer plenty of both. The goal is to provide enough information to help you prepare for a trip, without spoiling your sense of discovery. At the same time, writing about an area inherently invites people to it and possibly makes it more popular. None of the rivers described in this guide is unknown, and some are already quite popular. The agencies that manage river areas can provide additional information on the places you plan to visit. (There’s a listing of land managers at the back of this book.)

River ratings and other information in this book provide guidance, but keep in mind that rivers are dynamic: they swell with snowmelt and rain, and they change course over time. For a particular river, use your best judgment in determining whether you have the boating and wilderness skills required. Factor in the river’s remoteness and coldness, and the difficulty of being rescued, and then decide on the river for you.

Features:

• Describes each river’s location, distance, settings, and characteristics
• Includes checklists of suggested gear and equipment
• Offers hard-to-find information on regional land management offices and local services

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
A Legacy of Wild Rivers
The Special Challenges of Alaska
Whitewater Classification
Topographic Maps
Choosing the Right Boat

Gearing Up - Clothing, Life Jackets, Dry Suits and Wet Suits, Basic Gear for Expedition River Trips
 
Safety - Solo Travel, Cold Water, Aufeis and Calving Glaciers, Weather, Hypothermia, River Flow, River Conditions, Giardiasis, Alaska’s Bugs, Filing a Float Plan

Traveling with Children
Respecting the Land and Its Inhabitants - Group Size, Bears and Other Wild Animals, Dogs, Human Waste, Campsites, Fires, Garbage and Cleanup,  Hunting and Fishing, Wilderness Uses, Cultural and Natural Resources, Private Property,  Native Village Life, Keeping Alaska’s Rivers Flowing Free

Alaska’s Rivers:
Arctic Slope - Colville River, Iviashak River, Killik River

Northwest Alaska - Ambler River, Aniuk River, Kobuk River, Koyuk River, Noatak River, Selawik River, Squirrel River, Unalakleet River

Yukon Region -  Alatna River, Anvik River, Beaver Creek, Birch Creek, Black River, Charley River and Yukon River, Chatanika River, Chena River, Delta Clearwater River, Delta River, Fortymile River, John River, Middle Fork Koyukuk River, North Fork Koyukuk River, Melozitna River, Nenana River, Nowitna River, Porcupine River, Sheenjek River, Tinayguk River, Wild River

Southwest Alaska - Alagnak River and Nonvianuk River, American Creek, Andreafsky River and East Fork Andreafsky River, Aniakchak River, Chilikadrotna River, Goodnews River, Holitna River, Kanektok River, Kantishna River and Moose Creek, Kisaralik River, Kuskokwim River, South Fork Kuskokwim River, Mulchatna River, Newhalen River, Nushagak River, Nuyakuk River, Savonoski River, Stony River, Tlikakila River, Togiak River, Wood River Lakes System

Southcentral Alaska - Alexander Creek, Bremner River, Campbell Creek, Chitina River, Chulitna River, Copper River (Wrangell Mountains), Eagle River, Gulkana River:  Main Fork, Middle Fork, and West Fork, Kenai River, Kennicott River and Nizina river, Knik river, Kroto Creek, Moose Creek and Deshka River, Lake Creek, Little Nelchina river, Nelchina River , and Tazlina River, Little Susitna River, Matanuska River, Nabesna River, Portage Creek, Upper Susitna River, Swanson River Canoe System, Talachulitna Creek and River, Talkeetna River, Tokositna River, Tyone River, Willow Creek and Little Willow Creek

Southeast Alaska - Chilkat River, Mendenhall River, Situk River, Stikine, Tatshenshini-Alsek River

Glossary
Rivers Grouped by Level of Difficulty
National Wild and Scenic Rivers and State Recreation Rivers
Land Managers
Town Services
Conservation Groups
Related Reading
Index