Hog Loppet draws record attendance despite near-record cold temps
By Steve Godfrey
March 02, 2011
Photo by Steve Godfrey
Nothing like a warm fire to raise the spirits of winter adventurers. Fires welcomed skiers at each aid station along the route.
Photo by Steve Godfrey
Scenes like this accompanied spectacular views of the valley. It was a beautiful day to be on the mountain.
Photo by Steve Godfrey
First time Hoggers Teresa and Dave Moazed from Leavenworth stop to enjoy the winter scenery.
Photo by Steve Godfrey
Hog Loppet skis and their owners get a well deserved rest at Haney Meadows Aid Station #3. Skiers fueled their motors with delicious hot tomato & basil bisque soup, hot chocolate, hotdogs, and a variety of other finger foods and snacks.
The promise of fresh powder, professional support, and great grooming trumped the threat of near-record cold temperatures as 602 skiers registered for the 23rd annual Hog Loppet. A record 557 made it to the chair lift.
The challenge to the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club was clear: take a physically demanding 30K cross country ski trek from the top of Mission Ridge to Blewett Pass, throw in near-record cold temperatures, and, oh, by the way, make it fun. Quite a daunting task, but that’s exactly what the LWSC managed to do. They pulled out all the stops and provided a really unique winter skiing adventure.
The Hog Loppet is an opportunity to ski a route that 99% of those participating would unquestionably never ski without the support.
Individuals ranging in age 10 to 73 flocked to the start at Mission Ridge from all across the state and the region. Cross country skiing enthusiasts joined the party from California, Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia. One even has a New York address.
Interesting data about the participants: 5% were from Wenatchee, 6% from Leavenworth, 19% classified as “other”, and 70% from western Washington. A whopping 70% stayed in Leavenworth, and 10 buses were required to transport them to Mission Ridge and back from Blewett Pass. Three buses were needed for transportation from Wenatchee.
It’s easy to understand the positive economic impact a winter event like the Hog Loppet has on the area.
The club provided a new feature for the Hog this year: regrooming the final 8 miles of the course after the majority of participants passed Aid Station 3. For those of us bringing up the rear, this made a world of difference in the quality of our skiing experience.
Many made the long trek for the first time, bravely confronting the elements and steep mountain terrain. Some will return to ski a future Hog while others will simply mark it off their cross country ski bucket list.
LWSC members Dave and Teresa Moazed from Leavenworth have volunteered at the Hog in past years and decided to ski it themselves this year. “I’ve fallen more today than I’ve fallen since I first started cross country skiing,” said Dave. “This is a long and grinding ski trek. There was a lot more uphill grade than I expected. I was elated to cross the finish line.” Teresa comments, “I'm glad I did it, because now I know.”
“This event pulls together lots of local support and volunteers. We truly could not host the Hog Loppet without everyone’s help,” said Rebecca Darley, the Events Coordinator for the club.
She’s referring to the folks from Mission Ridge and their ski patrol, the U.S. Forest Service, Cascade Medical Center, Kittitas County Search and Rescue, Apple Valley Snowmobile Club, Chelan County Sheriff’s Department, Chelan Posse, and the many volunteers from the LWSC.
A hearty “Thank You!” is in order to the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club board of directors, general manager Bob Black and his staff, LWSC volunteers, the aforementioned and critical support groups, and especially Rebecca Darley, for pulling off what participants will likely remember as one of the best Hog Loppets ever.
