Never Turn Back: The Life of Whitewater Pioneer Walt Blackadar

by Ron Watters, Rob Lesser (Photographer)

Never Turn Back is the gripping and compelling life story of Dr. Walt Blackadar, a physician from a small town in Idaho. At the age of 49, he shocked the outdoor world when he made a solo kayak journey down the treacherous rapids of Turnback Canyon on the remote and wild Alsek River in Canada and Alaska. Blackadar's accomplishment on Turnback Canyon was the river equivalent of the first ascent of Everest, and when excerpts from his Alsek journal were published in Sports Illustrated, he became an instant sensation. He was at the top of his sport at an age when most athletes are long retired. Then suddenly, his spectacular rise veered wildly off course when a young woman tragically died on one of his kayaking expeditions. Heartbroken over her death and plagued with mounting physical problems, his kayaking technique began to deteriorate. Yet he had a spirit that was irrepressible, and pitting himself in a race against his body's clock, he sought out and faced off against the world's most formidable whitewater.

Genres: History, Adventure

293 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Andrew Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worth it read for any whitewater enthusiast. I’ll let the reader determine their opinion on Walt Blackadar for themselves.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first whitewater books I had read. This man did amazing things although at times I don't think I liked him much. Still, that being said, a good book for character study as well as pretty darn good adventure!

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this to list of books I should have read a long time ago- like about 50 years ago. Blackadar died on the South Fork Payette upstream of our house in 1978, the same year that Jimmie Carte and I took our first Middle Fork Salmon trip. That marked the beginning of many years of serious whitewater adventures. I heard of Blackadar as an early pioneer of Idaho whitewater but did not appreciate his important contribution to my own life long interest in rivers- and river people. Maybe I could count myself as a second generation Idaho boater, encouraged and included by some of his contemporaries. It was very moving to me to sit on my porch reading very near the end and confirming that I could look across the valley to the pioneer cemetery on the opposite ridge and see his grave marker. I commend this story to all of my river adventure friends, even those who have wondered about river adventures. Walt Blackadar can teach us all about reverence for wilderness and enthusiasm for life's adventures.

[William Kelleher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite adventure book of all time.

[salami · Rating 5 out of 5]

thanks, grandpa jones.

the story really picks up from the beginning !

[Linda Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. Walt Blackadar is buried where I grew up as a child ( Garden Valley). I remember hearing about the famous kayaker. I remember seeing the first kayaks to go down the South Fork of the Payette River. So this was a interesting book to me. I've also traveled in Alaska and remember the rivers he ran. Blackadar was a thrill seeker on the river. He took risks that many kayakers would avoid. But he certainly was a pioneer in the kayaking world

[Mark Mastalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any avid adventurer, not just whitewater paddlers, will enjoy reading about Walt Blackadar. A man who took on some of the world's toughest rivers by himself, with a hearty spirit and sense of self. He brazenly went out and found adventure on his terms. His name is still synonymous with Turnback Canyon and running whitewater that even today is only attempted by the world's best.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about an amazing man who went after what he wanted. He loved the outdoors. He didn't let anything stop him when he set a goal. He was wild and crazy !! Loved this book. I really liked the way it was written. The author just got right to the heart of the story and wasted no words.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating life of Walt Blackadar. He accomplished so much. Based on the writer's description, I would definitely not have gotten along with him. But I am very thankful for the things he accomplished for Idaho and the kayaking world.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the writing on NTB is not incredible, the story is, which makes the read well worthwhile. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Blackadar's life and kayaking adventures.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that I could not put down. Blackadar made his days count.

[Kevin]

A must read for any river running, but Walt Blackadar was an interesting enough character that anyone would enjoy this book. I imagine most paddlers would as shock as I was by how the lack of skill and boldness that characterized his river running exploits.