Maine natives Ron and Nancy Chase of Topsham have hiked for more than 30 years in New England and have trekked through eastern Canada, Scotland, France, Switzerland and Costa Rica. They also kayak, canoe, cycle and ski – and recently wrote “Mountains for Mortals: New England.”

Every New England state is represented in the guidebook. Many trailheads are just a short distance from major metropolitan areas. Others, such as Camel’s Hump in northwestern Vermont and Mount Lafayette on Franconia Ridge in northern New Hampshire, are located in remote, pristine wilderness settings. Each climbing description includes trail conditions, weather advice, lodging and camping options, ideal hiking times and other pertinent information.

Photos accompany each hike description, and there is an eight-page color insert section with some of the Chases’ best mountain photos.

A former treasurer of the Maine Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Nancy is active in the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society. In 2000, the AMC Four Thousand Footer Committee awarded her a certificate for completing the 100 highest peaks in New England. A certified public accountant and certified internal auditor, she is executive director of the Maine Brain Injury Foundation and a recently retired bank auditor.

Retired from the Internal Revenue Service, Ron was a Registered Maine Guide and a canoe chair and trip leader in the AMC. He is president of the PPCS. In 1997, he was the 38th person approved by the AMC Four Thousand Footer Committee as having climbed the 100 highest peaks in New England in the winter.

Also a freelance writer, he wrote an outdoors column for the Sun Journal in 2005-06 and is a regular contributor to several magazines.

Together, the Chases operate a tax-consulting business. They have two grown sons.

“Mountains for Mortals: New England” is available at www.amazon.com.