There is a specific kind of magic that happens on a Main Salmon River trip. While the days are filled with the thrill of rapids, the quiet moments – early morning coffee on the sand or golden hour in a camp chair- are the perfect time to dive into a great book. From legendary explorers to local memoirs, here are ten books to pack in your dry bag for your next journey through the River of No Return with Wet Planet.
- Amazon Woman by Darcy Gaechter
- The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
- River of Doubt by Candice Millard
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
- The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed by John Vaillant
- Living the Best Day Ever by Hendrik Coetzee
- Educated by Tara Westover
- An Embarrassment of Mangos: A Caribbean Interlude by Ann Vanderhoof
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind
*Bonus book for the younger generation: River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
1. Amazon Woman by Darcy Gaechter
Darcy Gaechter was the first woman to kayak the Amazon from source to sea. This isn’t just a travelogue; it’s a high-stakes survival story involving Class V whitewater, narco-traffickers, and the mental grit required to lead an expedition through the unknown.
2. The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
In the summer of 1983, a massive El Nino triggered a “100 year flood” that nearly destroyed the Glen Canyon Dam. The Emerald Mile tells the true story of the fastest boat ride in the history of the Grand Canyon as three Rogue river guides launched in a small wooden dory. Fedarko does more than just describe the ride; he weaves in the history of the American West, the cutthroat politics of water management, and the obsessive subculture of the river people who live for the current.
3. River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Following a crushing defeat in the 1912 presidential election, Theodore Roosevelt sought solace in the ultimate challenge: the first descent of an unmapped, 1,000-mile tributary of the Amazon known as the Rio da Dúvida (the River of Doubt). What began as a grand scientific expedition quickly became a harrowing battle for survival. Pushed to the absolute brink of death by disease, starvation, and the relentless terrain, the former president’s journey serves as a staggering testament to human resilience and the humbling power of an untamed river.
4. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
With her life crumbling following the death of her mother, Strayed embarks on a solo hike on the PCT. She has almost no experience in the outdoors, much less a backpacking trip of this magnitude. She naively sets out in a new set of boots (IYKYK), and the rest is history. This memoir is so good, Reese Witherspoon made it into a movie.
5. The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed by John Vaillant
An epic investigative tale involving a missing logger-turned-activist and the destruction of a unique, symbolic golden-needled Sitka spruce. If you like Jon Krakauer, you will dig this book!
6. Living the Best Day Ever by Hendrik Coetzee
Whitewater explorer Hendrik Coetzee offers a raw, philosophical, and humorous account of his life lived on the edge of some of the world’s wildest rivers. His journey from a Special Forces medic to a world class river guide and explorer is a deeply personal story. This book covers some of his most ambitious expeditions, including the first “source to sea” navigation of the White Nile and his solo six-month journey through the Congo. He describes more than the whitewater, but also the complexities of civil war, malaria, and hippos.
7. Educated by Tara Westover
While many good river books focus on life on the water, Educated is about the rugged Idaho landscape that shapes the people who live there. Born to a survivalist family near Buck’s Peak, Tara Westover’s memoir is a gripping account of her struggle to break away from an isolated, often violent upbringing to pursue an education. It is a story of resilience, the complexity of family loyalty, and the transformative power of perspective.
8. An Embarrassment of Mangos: A Caribbean Interlude by Ann Vanderhoof
Read about dropping everything to sail the Caribbean while you drop everything to boat a wild-and-scenic river. This memoir is perfect to kick back and enjoy while relaxing on the sand (of the Salmon River). It’s also perfect for foodies, as it includes recipes and detailed descriptions of the culinary delights enjoyed by the author over the course of her journey.
9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In a world where people born with special skills are known as “gracelings,” this young adult fantasy novel follows Katsa on a startling coming-of-age journey. From mountain peaks to fantastic palaces, this story will hold the attention of young people and grown-ups alike!
10. The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind
If you’re looking for something a little offbeat to bring along on your Main Salmon trip, River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey is a fun, fast-paced YA novel. Set in an alternate version of the American South where feral hippos have taken over the waterways, it follows a ragtag crew hired to wrangle them — part western, part heist, and all action.
It’s a quick, engaging read, perfect for passing around camp, and a great way to add a little humor and adventure to your evenings on the river.
*Bonus book for the younger generation:
River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
If you’re looking for something a little offbeat to bring along on your Main Salmon trip, River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey is a fun, fast-paced YA novel. Set in an alternate version of the American South where feral hippos have taken over the waterways, it follows a ragtag crew hired to wrangle them — part western, part heist, and all action. It’s a quick, engaging read, perfect for passing around camp, and a great way to add a little humor and adventure to your evenings on the river.
Whether you find yourself gripped by the harrowing survival of Teddy Roosevelt or inspired by the resilience of an Idaho native, these stories remind us that the river is more than just water – it is a teacher, a challenge, and a sanctuary. A Main Salmon trip is a rare opportunity to disconnect from the noise of the modern world and reconnect with the narratives that truly matter.
So, as you’re checking your gear list and prepping your sun hoodie, make sure to save a little room in your dry bag for one of these titles. We’ll see you at the put in, book in hand, ready to start a new chapter of our own.
Ready to write your own adventure? Check out our upcoming Main Salmon Launch dates and join the Wet Planet Crew for the trip of a lifetime.
