New book about Stanislaus rafting pioneer Bryce Whitmore – must read!

River guide and photographer Ty Childress has just published his long-awaited biography of Stanislaus and river running pioneer Bryce Whitmore! Order it today – it’s a must read for anyone who was on the Stanislaus (or anyone, period!). The book contains stories from Marty McDonnell, Stein Buer, Chris Condon, Donald Segerstrom, Alexander Gaguine, Mark Dubois, Fred and Jacqueline Dennis, Bob Holland, Dorn Cranert, George Armstrong, and others.

Bail! Bail! Bryce Whitmore and the Birth of Whitewater Rafting can be ordered via:  a) Venmo to Ty Childress: @rainbowroadpress (if asked, cell phone last four digits are – 9162) the total cost is $41.36 (tax included);  b) To pay by check, make out to: Ty Childress, and send with your mailing address to: PO Box 75, Mountain Ranch, CA 95246; c) Ty also takes PayPal. For any questions, email Ty.

About the book:  Ty’s book brings to life the early days of rafting and kayaking in California and Oregon with this collection of stories from a free-wheeling cast of characters. Much of the book traces Bryce Whitmore’s life and his improbable and extraordinary path to becoming a professional river guide. But it’s more than a biography. The book also describes evolution in raft design, techniques for navigating rapids, early conservation efforts, and wonderful stretches of river that Ty himself has rafted—some of them now lost to us. Altogether, the book serves as a rich color commentary on the early days of river running in the American West, capturing not only the precious nature of our wild rivers but also the audacious spirit of the people who are drawn to them.

“Stories of easy, carefree days or riveting moments presaging disaster often compelled me to try to picture the flow of the river they were on. Having floated many rivers in Northwest California years ago in crude little rafts, I could just feel their boats filling with water and needing to be bailed out quickly—one of the many river phrases Ty brought vividly back to me.” (by a reviewer)