[TR] Hog Loppet (Mission Ridge to Blewett Pass) - 2/23/2008

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Trip: Hog Loppet (Mission Ridge to Blewett Pass) -

 

Date: 2/23/2008

 

Trip Report:

Another fun, sunny day was had by all during the 2008 Leavenworth Ski Club's Annual Hog Loppet.

 

The route began at the Mission Ridge base area and started off with a COLD set of chair lift rides to near Mission Peak. A short descent on a groomed ski run warmed up the edges for the next two or three miles of rolling, ungroomed terrain. This year's conditions were relatively hard, but the front of the pack softened things up for the stragler's butts during the inevitable falls. Only a few sections of steep terrain were encountered and skied by nearly all. At approxiamtely three miles (varying year to year by how far the groomer can reach), skate and traditional track was encountered and the real fun began. The pack thinned out and one could really enjoy the views of Rainier, Adams, Stuart, the Enchantments, the Chiwaukums, the Columbia river, the Waterville plateau, Devils gulch, and the (smoggy) Wenatchee valley. The course overall had a net elevation loss of around 1500 ft., but was rolling in nature and involved several long gradual ascents and some exciting mile long descents. There were two aid stations roughly evenly spaced along the way with hot drinks, hot soup, snacks, fire pits, and plenty of comradery provided by the local snow machine club. The route finished with a gradual five mile descent to the Blewett pass SnoPark.

 

The even was not intended as a race (although some people definitely ski fast) but more as a backcountry community trek, hence the Scandanavian term "loppet". This community-oriented event drew many types of skiers, ranging from jeans-wearing track skiers past the lycra'd skaters, all the way to the tele gear garbed back country rangers. Some people seemed a bit in over their heads, but the only ones not to finish on their own power this year were an ankle injury, and a couple who suffered a broken pole. Most people seemed to be off the course and back at the pubs within eight hours.

 

Shuttle service was available out of Wenatchee and Leavenworth to the start and from the finish. More information may be found on the Leavenworth Ski Club's website.

 

dave

 

 

 

[ScottP]