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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, October 3, 2009 Mountaineers Books joins forces with trails association That newspapers have been particularly hard hit by the economy is no secret, but newspaper publishing is only one facet of the print industry. Book publishers have been hammered too. In an effort to counteract the current reality, Mountaineers Books has partnered with Washington Trails Association to create a package that would benefit both organizations. Hikes from six books in the Day Hike series covering the Olympics and the Cascades is now on the trails association Web site. “Having them online allows the books to reach more people,” said the association’s communications director Lauren Braden. The Mountaineers benefits by exposure. If online readers like the content, they may buy the book through the trails association Web site. Sales benefit the group because Mountaineers Books returns 8 percent of the sales to them. “That’s a significant portion given directly to protecting and maintaining trails,” Braden said. “The book industry is changing and Mountaineers Books wanted to stay agile and ahead of the curve. They really saw an advantage partnering with us,” Braden said. Mountaineers Books’ publicist Shanna Knowlton agreed. “Even as a traditional book publisher, we recognize the important transition publishers need to make, providing digital content and a strong Web presence in addition to our printed books. “Having many of our signature hikes available online at WTA exposes our authors and their guidebooks to new readers. Tapping into this digital crossover market is exactly what makes us competitive in today’s outdoor and guidebook categories.” For years, the Washington Trails Web site has included trip reports by hikers, and those will continue, Braden said. But now Web readers can add photographs, hike attributes (such as great for kids, dogs), and other information, including updates. An update example would be to provide information if a trail has been closed because of a flood. Each book’s Web hikes will be linked to the trails association trip reports too. The association already had posted complete trail descriptions for about 200 hikes. With the addition of the Mountaineers’ content, that number is now about 800, Braden said. “We’re pretty happy with the content. All publishers, if they’re not doing something about (more Web partnering), are thinking about how to get the content online to continue to be a player and a publisher of books.” Looking to partner with nonprofits is one answer. The online content has been available for a few weeks and positive feedback is flowing, along with suggestions when readers find a glitch. Generally, Braden said, the reaction has been simply, “Wow! This is really awesome.” Check out www.wta.org. Larch report: Larches near Washington Pass (Highway 20) are moving toward gold, and the huckleberry leaves are turning red, creating an eye-catching red carpet. Larches can be spotted up the drainages off Highway 20 at higher elevations, as well as on the Maple Pass Loop, Hart’s Pass, Cutthroat Pass above the Lake, Blue Lake and many others, including Blewitt Pass, U.S. 97 between Cle Elum and Leavenworth. Before leaving home, check on color and snow conditions at North Cascades information, 360-854-7200; Winthrop ranger station, 509-996-4000; or REI Outdoor Information Center, 206-470-4060. Going swiftly: Vaux’s swift expert Larry Schwitters will give a free talk at 7 p.m. Friday about efforts to locate all communal roosts statewide and count migrating swifts. The talk will be held at the Holiday Inn, 3105 Pine St., Everett. Avalanches: The Northwest Snow and Avalanche Summit is a professional development seminar for avalanche-related workers as well as a continuing education opportunity for those who play where avalanches can occur. For more information on the Oct. 24 seminar ($40, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the REI in Seattle, call 360-319-2421. To register, go to www.brownpapertickets.com. Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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