9th Edition of Maine Mountain Guide

[Bob Kittredge]

The new edition of the AMC's Maine MG is supposed to be available about now. Has anyone seen it, or does anyone know if it includes elevations in the trail descriptions?

 

[Waumbek]

MMG 9th

By chance, I looked for it earlier today in a central NH EMS and a Borders bookstore and didn't see it. Amazon is showing a June 1 release date and says it's not available yet. Review copies are out. But book distribution can be erratic (or the reports on it). If it's actually been released anywhere yet, it was probably in Maine. Should be along soon in any event.

 

[dms]

The AMC store website states that is available as of mid May. I ordered a copy a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't received it as yet.

 

[spencer]

It's not out in any of the several stores I've looked for it in (in Maine, that is).

spencer

 

[amstony]

I checked REI in Reading, and EMS in Nashua over the weekend, neither had it. Barnes and Noble in Nashua and at the Prudential Center in Boston don't have it yet either. BN in Nashua looked it up and said they had some on order for mid-June.

 

[Tramper Al]

I'll try to stop by Joy Street later today. If it isn't there, it isn't out yet.

 

[Waumbek]

Amazon is still listing it as "available on June 1st" and "not available yet," go figure, but since I looked last night they're now including the publisher's blurb on MMG 9 (below). Sorry, Bob, it doesn't answer your question (always mine too) about hike elevations but surely they've included them (?).
P.S. The revised RMC guide should be out "soon" too.

Publisher's blurb (not mine as I have not seen the book):
Book Description

The mountains of Maine offer hikers of all abilities diverse terrain and spectacular views, from the rocky coast to the North Woods wilderness. Now in its ninth edition, the AMC Maine Mountain Guide is the definitive trail guide to these magnificent mountains. Inside readers will find updated descriptions of trails to more than 200 summits throughout the state, including 20 miles of new trails in Baxter State Park and the east side of the newly constructed Grafton Loop Trail in Grafton Notch. Trail descriptions are organized by region, and each section opens with a list of every trail to make trip planning easy. New to this edition, each section also includes suggested hikes for all ability levels, so beginner and experienced hikers alike can plan just the right hike. Readers will also find information about trip planning and safety, map and compass use, and Leave No Trace guidelines, as well as scenic views, geology, and nature. The guide's full-color, pull-out, GPS-plotted maps are updated and now include the Gulf Hagas area of the Hundred-Mile Wilderness, making them the most up-to-date maps available to the state's most popular hiking destinations.

Special features include:
>Updated descriptions of more than 200 trails throughout the state
>Coverage of the newly constructed Grafton Loop Trail in Grafton Notch and 20 miles of new trail in Baxter State Park
>Full-color, pull-out, GPS-plotted maps of the state's most popular destinations, including an all-new map of the Gulf Hagas area in the Hundred Mile Wilderness
>Notes about geology, flora, and fauna
>Tips for trip planning, safety, map and compass use, and more
>Helpful guidelines for backcountry hikers, including low-impact camping, winter camping, hypothermia, and more

 

[Bob Kittredge]

No elevations

I just got this back from Kate Donnelly at the AMC:

"I'm glad to hear of your interest in the ninth edition of AMC's Maine
Mountain Guide! The guide includes elevation from sea level to summit,
but it does not give trailhead elevations in the trail descriptions. If
you refer to the maps included in the back of the guide, however, you
can calculate the elevation gain to the summit from the trailhead within
100 feet using the contour lines."

I have to say I'm disappointed.

 

[amstony]

I just got this back from Kate Donnelly at the AMC:

"I'm glad to hear of your interest in the ninth edition of AMC's Maine
Mountain Guide! ........but it does not give trailhead elevations in the trail descriptions...... you can calculate the elevation gain to the summit from the trailhead within 100 feet using the contour lines."

I have to say I'm disappointed.

I second that statement, why am I waiting for the new guide ............pick up an old one. Another fine use of my AMC dues!

 

[Double Bow]

I just got the 8th edition on the cheap (1/2 price!) since the 9th is coming out. I guess that's one reason to be glad for the new one...

 

[Waumbek]

The MMG 9th is at the Village Bookstore in Littleton NH. There were two copies on the shelf this afternoon. I bought one. VBS often gets hiking and outdoor books out on the shelves long before other outlets do; they had Laura Waterman's Losing the Garden on the shelf while many people were still wondering if it had even been published. I haven't looked at MMG 9 very carefully yet but I notice that it does not include the new Bold Coast Trail. A mixed blessing, I guess. It's a state trail but then so are BSP trails. In any event, if there's info you want from it before you get your own copy, let me know.

 

[Tramper Al]

I second that statement, why am I waiting for the new guide ............pick up an old one. Another fine use of my AMC dues!

Well, I have to say there are avenues if one thinks one can do better.

The Maine chapter of the AMC did specifically call for help from volunteers to gather data for this new edition of the MMG. I understand that all of these non-profit groups putting together guidebooks for us are happy to get any help we can give them. I tend to send constructive criticism, when appropriate, to the folks who put together a particular map or guide, rather than just publicly complain. My feedback has always been well received.

 

[darren]

Info from AMC

I received the following email from the AMC:

Hello,

Someone forwarded me a query from views from the top, about the
availability of the new Maine Mountain Guide. Please post that the new
edition of this guidebook is available now at www.outdoors.org or
through AMC facilities (Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or Highland Center).

Many thanks,

Belinda Thresher
Production Manager, AMC Books

 

[roadtripper]

the guide is now available on amazon.com as well...


maine mountain guide

 

[Bob Kittredge]

Tramper Al

Well, I have to say there are avenues if one thinks one can do better.

The Maine chapter of the AMC did specifically call for help from volunteers to gather data for this new edition of the MMG. I understand that all of these non-profit groups putting together guidebooks for us are happy to get any help we can give them. I tend to send constructive criticism, when appropriate, to the folks who put together a particular map or guide, rather than just publicly complain. My feedback has always been well received.

Point taken. I hadn't really thought about the guidebooks being the fruit of volunteer labor. I do appreciate that labor; I've just been spoiled by the recent editions of the WMG. I'll send Kate Donnelly a polite note. Thanks.