I am a member and great fan of the Appalachain Mountain Club. I have taken my daughters on many hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and stayed at their mountain-side huts. I also have used the AMC White Mountain Guide to enable these trips. In the most recent issue of their magazine, AMCoutdoors, I read about AMC White Mountain Guide Online. It “combines (their) expert descriptions of over 500 trails and detailed maps in an online format that is easy to use and continually updated as conditions change, all for one low annual subscription fee of $15.” This goes beyond the old paper versions which had new versions every few years. However, it goes much farther.
You can search for trails, view maps online, and find mileage, natural features, shelters and campsites, and much more. You can search by trail name, feature, length, and elevation change-results are highlighted on the interactive map, along with a detailed trail description. You can use the interactive map to build a custom itinerary and then total your mileage, elevation gain, and "book time" automatically. In addition, you can create a detailed trip itinerary. Print and bring it with you, or share it with a friend.
That is all great but now for the web 2.0 part. Their free community area lets you share your latest trip, view and report on trail conditions, volunteer for a trail project, and other things. Kudos for the AMC for brining in user generated content and create a better way to enhance the mountain community.
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