A Behind the Scenes Look at the Waterville Valley Guidebook [02/17/21]

Ever wonder what goes into creating a trail guidebook? Join us on Wednesday, February 17th at 6:00pm via Zoom to peel back the pages of the recently published Waterville Valley Guidebook! You'll hear from Steve Smith, Brenda Conklin, Preston Conkiln, Dan Newton, and others who contributed to making this book so informative. Learn about the nitty gritty of writing a guidebook and hear how this book weaves natural and human history into its trail descriptions.

This free event is the second presentation in the Winter Outdoor Recreation Speaker Series brought to you by the Squam Lakes Association and Waterville Valley Athletic & Improvement Association.

About the Book:

Continuing a tradition of guidebooks to the Waterville Valley region, this full-color guide provides detailed descriptions of 125 miles of trails on the Waterville Valley "redlining" list, along with lists of suggested hikes and snowshoe hikes. For each trail, in addition to the description, there is information on notable features and trail history, and descriptions of views. The book includes extensive material on the area's hiking history, geology, forests, wildlife, and bird life. Also featured are two History Hikes written by local historian Preston Conklin, and descriptions of dozens of Points of Interest around the Valley. Generously illustrated with color photos and vintage images.

About the Speakers:

STEVE SMITH: Steve Smith has been a hiking enthusiast for more than 40 years and is the author of several White Mountain guidebooks as well as serving as co-editor of the AMC White Mountain Guide. In 2001 Steve and his good friend Mike Dickerman co-authored a guide to the White Mountain 4000-footers, with a new third edition due out in 2021. In 1998 he opened The Mountain Wanderer Map & Book Store in Lincoln, NH, a “niche” book/map retailer specializing in New England outdoors and especially in White Mountain hiking. The most popular items in the store are hiking guidebooks and trail maps. Steve loves exploring the mountains in all seasons both on and off the trail; many of these treks now appear on the “Mountain Wandering” blog. Steve always enjoys talking hiking with store customers, and can provide suggestions for trips suitable for any ambition level.

He has climbed New Hampshire’s 4000-Footers in summer and winter and has “bagged” the New England Hundred Highest. He is a longtime member of the AMC Four Thousand Footer Committee and has been a member of Pemigewasset Valley Search & Rescue Team. He is currently the trail adopter for the west section of the UNH Trail on Hedgehog Mountain, and, through the 4000-Footer Committee, the Passaconaway Cutoff. Steve lives in Lincoln, NH with his wife Carol, a recently retired school librarian and 4000-footer hiker.

BRENDA and PRESTON CONKLIN: Brenda and Preston have lived in Waterville Valley for 20 years. They are avid hikers, snowshoers, local historians, and trail maintainers with the WVAIA. Their hiking addiction has taken them to the 67 New England High Peaks and to the Appalachian Trail over three years in 2010-2012. Brenda's latest challenge is the 52 with a View. Brenda was instrumental in the creation of the new Waterville Valley Pathfinder 70 Hiking Patch.

DAN NEWTON: I am the father of two children who aren’t really children anymore, but who remain close to me in both spirit and place. When I was a child, my winter weekends were spent in Waterville Valley skiing with the WVBBTS ski club. In the late 90’s I left my position as a Show Manager for a trade show company in Boston, which had me flying all over the country for work, and settled down in the mountains of my youth. I have not looked back.

I have worked in many capacities within Waterville Valley, my primary job being an English teacher at Waterville Valley Academy. Additionally, I led many hiking and fishing programs over the years for the Waterville Valley Recreation Department and have recently returned working as a year-round hike leader. I also ran the Literary Discussion Group at the Curious George Cottage for 14 years, and have recently returned to that as well. For much of my time in this town I have been the President of the Waterville Valley Athletic and Improvement Association (WVAIA), and for many years have worked for Off the Beaten Path, a professional trail building company, maintaining our historic trail system.

I am passionate about the outdoors, particularly the Waterville Valley outdoors. I am a ski fanatic. I am addicted to hiking. I’m a passionate fly-fisherman. I am a devout mushroom enthusiast, as well as wildflowers, lichens, mosses, trees—and any other phenomena I come across in my sylvan rambles.

A Behind the Scenes Look at the Waterville Valley Guidebook

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A Behind the Scenes Look at the Waterville Valley Guidebook

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