The Complete Paddler: A Guidebook for Paddling the Missouri River from the Headwaters to St. Louis, Missouri

I canoed the Missouri river last year from Kansas City to St. Louis and started thinking about doing the whole river. I figured the river would be similar in character. This book shows a more complex set of logistics are required to make this trip. This trip is far from impossible, but should be well thought out. Thanks to this book, I'll be prepared when I do make my trip.

Having done this expedition myself in 2005 I wanted to see if David Miller was concise with his information. I was very satisfied with the work that he accomplished and found the material to be right on the mark.As I read the book I was carried back to so many places I could envision. David Miller has produced an outstanding guidebook that will benefit many future expeditionists.

I wrote the canoe guide to the Missouri after my trek down the river in 1999 and that book is still in print..BUT this one is better..if you only are buying one book get this one, not mine. It is a considerable improvement on my guidebook. If, however you actually intend to canoe the whole river, or a major part of it you might also want mine. Dave has done a great service to us all! Thanks Dave!

Having boated from the Beaverhead and Jefferson tributaries of the Missouri River and then all the way down past St. Louis in 2003 and 2004 at approximately the same time of year as David Miller did, I can verify that not only has David told it the way it was, his strategies for paddling the "Missou Lady" in the future, are as good as it gets. When meeting in 2003, as the only guests at an out-of-the-way state campground in South Dakota, we exchanged notes and thoughts as considerate adventurers do. In 2004, I knew through a mutual and now belated friend,that David was a week or so ahead of me, below the headwaters.We didn't meet, but later went over detail in a way that only two people sharing the same experience can do. Of extreme importance to anyone considering a venture such as paddling the Missouri, are the threads in David's words of planning/scouting ahead, using local knowledge to revise/improve one's plan, and executing with discretion, a cool head, and a quick, sure hand. His consistent emphasis on those things most important to a paddler is a crucial key for any would-be adventurer. I saw a great number of paddlers who would have benefited greatly from his sage advice and suffered the consequences of not having had it. The difference was that between a challenging, but enjoyable outing and a disaster. The succinct and varied references to the Lewis and Clark expedition information data base will enrich the reader's experience greatly, if time is taken to skim them, at least, lightly before and then fully, during the trip. Lastly, David's approach of safety considerations first and letting discretion, be the better part of valor, is right on target, since a lot of the time, only you are going to get yourself out of trouble when paddling the remote parts of the Missouri River. Hat's off for a job well done, David. Good Luck and Steady Winds, Wayne A. Willkomm

The Complete Paddler: A Guidebook for Paddling the Missouri River from the Headwaters to St. Louis, Missouri is a no-nonsense manual written for paddlers of all skill and experience levels with an interest in exploring the Missouri River. Chapters discuss necessary equipment, risks and hazards, shoreline descriptions, currents and prevailing winds, portages, river-mile marks, historical sites to be seen, and much more. The Complete Paddler also capitalizes on modern advancements by using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to give accurate "sailing directions". Author David Miller also recounts his personal anecdotes of his three-summer-long, solo kayak expedition. Enthusiastically recommended for kayakers with an interest in experiencing the great Missouri River for themselves.