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Steve Allen
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Canyoneering: The San Rafael Swell Paperback – October 1, 2000

by Steve Allen (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
An articulate guide to the hiking and scrambling, as well as the geology and history, of this little-used sandstone country in central Utah. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
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  1. Print length
    260 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of Utah Press
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0874803721
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0874803723
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Steve Allen's commitment to exploring every nook and cranny in southern Utah's vast network of maze-like canyons has granted him legendary status. His guide to the San Rafael Swell is the first volume in a three-part series that will captivate both novice hikers and elite rock climbers alike. Unlike many guides, Allen takes time to discuss the Swell's rich history, which undoubtedly lends itself to the reader's greater appreciation for the land. But this guide is not a misty-eyed overview. Allen knows that canyoneering leads hikers into confusing territory, so his landmark descriptions are presented in meticulous detail. He covers 63 separate adventures and manages to cover them with a skillful writer's grace and a mad scientist's penchant for detail. --Ben Tiffany

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Utah Press (October 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0874803721
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0874803723
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 26 ratings

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Steve Allen

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4.2 out of 5 stars
26 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I solo hike and love having GPS coordinates as well as detailed trail data
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I spend a considerable amount of time in San Rafael Swell--especially the Northern Section--so I'm not unbiased about my love of this book. However, it gives great detail about trails. I do both day hikes and backpacking. I've tried Road Trip Ryan and All Trails and neither give adequate info on trails in the Swell. Yes, the photos in the book are too small to be of much use, and some trail info is disjointed at times, but all trail books have such issues. The more I use this book, the more I'm familiar with the author's thought process. It has guided me through Spring and Nate's Canyons, Horse Thief Pass, Sid's Mountain/Saddle Horse, Tower Arch, the Conquistadors, and numerous pictograph panels. All of these hikes are in dry, difficult, maze-like terrain. It's great to have a book that was written by guys who love the Swell as much as I do.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • FMBrown
    4.0 out of 5 stars This is a Hiking guide, not a Canyoneering guide!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    THIS IS NOT A CANYONEERING GUIDE! Despite the word "Canyoneering" in the title, this is a hiking guide. Canyoneering involves the technical descent of a canyon using ropes and specialized gear to rappel cliffs, escape potholes, and navigate tricky slots and other complex problems. As a hiking guide it's great, but if you're looking for a Canyoneering guide to the awesome technical canyons in the area, this is not the book you're looking for.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Leahy
    5.0 out of 5 stars the definitive guide.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    We've been exploring the Swell for over ten years now and have found Allen's book absolutely indispensable. This is the backcountry, people, you don't go without GPS, topo maps and some basic BC navigation experience. We prepare by correlating USGS 7.5' topo data to Google Earth and generating GPS waypoints. It works amazingly well if you're careful. Stick to obvious Jeep tracks; trying to pick Navajo knobs atop the reefs can be tricky. We've found Allen's descriptions very useful, even with the inevitable interpretation that occurs. Even the desert BC looks a little different twenty years on.

    By comparison, my feeling is that Kelsey is a mad man. We refer to his book when planning and delight in the harrowing accounts of rapping into 'keepers.' I was more agro when I was younger and might have tried some of that "back in the day," but Allen is our go-to guy in the field.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • walkabout303
    5.0 out of 5 stars Usefull hiking guide
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I am not a rope/technical hiker, but love to get out and move in the Utah desert. This book has new hikes I haven't come across with notes on the back roads and on mountain biking. Most hikes are designed for non-technical hiking.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bryan Brown
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful guidebook.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a well-written and easy-to-follow guidebook about a spectacular place. I am so glad I got it. From easy to difficult, lots of potential routes for hiking and non-technical canyoneering are outlined here.
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  • Scott Patterson
    3.0 out of 5 stars I like the book, but...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2006
    More maps would be nice. I would have to agree about the using the minutes (ie 70 minutes) for beta. On the other hand one should always take the maps anyway.

    Opposite of Kelsey, difficulties seem to be over exagerated, rather than underexagerated. It would be nic if all authors used the same terminology for diffiuclt and easy, but this will likely never happen.

    Steve seems to skip over some fantastic stuff, in favor of some more mundane stuff on some hikes, but all you have to do is do some side trips. To get the most out of this (or any) book, leave the paint by numbers route description on occasion and do some exploring on you own.

    I would still highly recommend the book. It's a great source of info.
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  • Patch
    5.0 out of 5 stars must have for the utah explorer
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    excellent book
    One person found this helpful
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  • Anom Pen-Name
    1.0 out of 5 stars Nearly useless. Price not consistent with info quality.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Useless topo maps, because of print quality and scale. The point to point routes might be useful, but only if you are following the identical waypoint format as the authors. The route text descriptions are extremely weak-while attempting a "step-by step" description.

    We have spent a total of 4 weeks,in 2 single trips to the San Rafael Swell-as well as having spent more than 20 weeks (beginning in 1989)exploring the adjacent areas-Dirty Devil drainage, Little Rockies, and the rough accesses routes into the DDR region from the north side. This huge area had few if any guidebooks. (that is it wasn't in the process of being "loved to Death" like the Escalante.)

    As much as I loathe Kelseys guides (mostly due to his extreme hiking style/trip duration) I actually do own most of his books. They are useful in pre-trip planning,and a good read for area background history.

    This book by Allen & Mitchell on the north SR Swell area ,doesn't contain enough information to be worth the price. Might be useful,in a limited way,for pre-trip planning-but certainly not worth carrying.

    I was disappointed with this purchase.

    There are better books out there.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Robert Cyr
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Best
    Reviewed in Canada on August 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Very good, one of the best book, very happy
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  • John
    4.0 out of 5 stars At first I found the book's organisation a bit confusing ...
    Reviewed in Canada on March 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    At first I found the book's organisation a bit confusing, but soon realised it's quite logical. Well written, just wish it provided a bit more info relevant to a photographer. Still, a worthwhile purchase for exploring the northern Swell.
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