Spirited Waters: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage

by Jennifer Hahn, Brenda Peterson

Release Date: September, 2001

Edition: Hardcover

Price:

More Info

Not what I expected

Perhaps I've read too many stories of epic journeys or "firsts," but Jennifer's trip, while commendable, seemed like "cheating." Taken in chunks over a period of years, with some sections paddled north to south and others south to north, when the going gets rough, the author hitches a ride on a boat - not once, but twice! Too cold or rainy? She pulls out her VISA and sleeps in a B&B! Granted, she does endure much of the discomfort (read: lack of creature comforts) associated with outdoor adventures, but it loses some of its "gee whiz" appeal when there's always a cozy boat or lighthouse not too far away. The descriptions ad nauseum of seaweed, urchins, and lichens turned edible delicacies had me turning the pages looking for real adventure. Her encounters with bears were nothing more than hyped-up fear of what might happen -- same with those nasty drunk men who never even came near. Granted, as a woman kayaker, I give Jennifer great credit for her trip and knowledge, but the claims are a bit grandiose when compared with actuality. Good descriptions of the natural beauty as well as kayaking with whales and otters, but I'll wait for the next book when she does it all in one trip without hitching or sleep-overs under down comforters.

An okay book

Author gives very nice accounts of historical, cultural and natural features of the inside passage. Also, her notes on edible seaweeds and other ocean life are excellent. Overall I found the book decent but nothing to be enthusiastic about. Her descriptive passages are often marred by jarring analogies, such as when she likens wind gusting on a tent to "pranksters lobbing melons" or when she describes the effect of current on her kayak as "like a dog hair being sucked by a Hoover vacuum". Also, on a number of occasions she oddly dismisses men as bigots for strange reasons such as not offering her a ride on their boat, asking if she needs help, or just appearing grumpy in the pouring rain. The author frequently describes speaking with wildlife and receiving messages in return and it comes across as very corny. Finally, the author kayaked the passage in bits and pieces over a two year period and although I can understand her reasons for this it took something away from the drama of other books in which persons give accounts of traveling the passage as one mammoth trip. I found that these things detracted from the reading experience.

I recommend Rick's book called Homelands, about a couple who kayak the passage. It's much better written. Also, Ivan Doig has a great fictional account of a group of 19th century swedes traveling the passage in a cedar canoe entitled "The Searunners". J Raban's book on sailing the passage is worth a look, too.