Hog Loppet Ski Trek Feb. 26th
Rebecca Darley, LWSC Marketing & Events Manager
Feb. 15, 2011
Photo by permission of the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club
Views on the Hog Loppet can be spectacular. However, participants must be prepared for any kind of weather.
The Hog Loppet is a non-competitive 30-kilometer (19.9-mile) ski trek from the top of Mission Ridge Ski Area to Blewett Pass located in Central Washington. The 23rd annual ski event has been coordinated and produced by the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (LWSC) for more than 5 years. Since adopting the event LWSC recruited more than 500 participants in 2009. Even with the low snowfall, Olympics and competing events in 2010 the event pulled in 403 registrations. Many participants return annually for the event with groups of friends.
In late January LWSC staff starts scouting the course in preparation for the big event and will watch it closely until the trek date. LWSC lays one set of classic tracks that are groomed early Saturday morning for optimum performance. With over 500 participants the tracks get messy early in the day, so LWSC has decided this year to groom the bottom section of the course 3 times during the event day.
LWSC strongly recommends that participants use the shuttle bus service. Parking at Blewett Pass is limited, used by event organizers, weekend recreationalists and requires a sno-park permit. LWSC suggests using classic or skate skis because alpine and backcountry skis are quite heavy.
It is not an event for first time skiers because there is some steep terrain and non-groomed conditions near the start. Classic or light weight touring skis would be best for most skiers.
LWSC supports the course with over 60 staff including US Forest Service, Apple Valley Snowmobile Club, Cascade Medical Center, Mission Ridge Ski Patrol, LWSC staff, Chelan County Sheriff Posse, Chelan County Search & Rescue and others.
Buses leave from Leavenworth Park & Ride at 6 a.m. and from Wenatchee Convention Center at 6:30 a.m. transferring more than 400 people to Mission Ridge Ski Resort. New registrations on event day are allowed, but organizers prefer that you pre-register online to ensure accuracy of shuttle service, shirt orders and food orders.
Participants take a double chair from Mission Ridge base area and transfer to a high speed quad to reach the summit. The elevation is 6,734-feet. The route follows a Mission Ridge boundary road north of Mission Peak to Forest Service Road 9712. The trail is groomed from the start to the Catch Basin under Mission Peak. There is a very short distance under the Peak that is not groomed, but the rest of the course is groomed for skate and classic techniques. Participants descend off the peak and then climb 1200’ back up to Mission Gap for another descent to Aid Station 1.
Hog Loppet Staff monitor participants at all Aid Stations located approximately every 10 kilometers. Participants are welcomed with fresh baked cookies, brownies, fruit, hot soup, hot coco, water, energy bars, bagels and more. All the supplies are shuttled into the course around 5 a.m. on snowmobiles. From Aid 1 skiers follow Beehive Road on a gradual descent to the finish with short, gentle sections of climbs. Heading along Tronsen Ridge participants make their way to Haney Meadows with spectacular views of the Stuart Range and Mount Rainier visible on clear days. This flat area becomes a welcomed hangout, a chance for skiers to wait on slower members of their party or socialize with staff and fellow trekkers around a warm fire.
Hog-A-Palooza: Leavenworth Winter Sports Club provides an after party for participants at the Leavenworth Festhalle. This year, Leavenworth locals Chumstick Liberation Front will provide the dance tunes. All ages are invited to attend. LWSC will serve beer, wine and burgers. Hog Loppet participants receive free entry when they show their bib. Adults are $5 and kids are $3.
Useful Links:
View Pictures of the 2010 Hog Loppet Trek
here
View A Video From A 2009 Participant
here
Read A Skier’s 2009 Experience here
