Wenatchee Outdoors

Special Olympics
2020-02-28 - 2020-03-01
Special Olympics
Location: Icicle Trail at Fish Hatchery
Back loop of the Icicle River Trails will be closed for all trail users except for those participating, volunteering or spectating at the Special Olympics Event.
More than 1,500 Special Olympics athletes will represent Washington hometowns ranging from Bellingham to Vancouver and Seattle to Spokane at the 2020 Special Olympics Washington Winter Games in Wenatchee, Feb. 28 – March 1, 2020
Opening Ceremonies will be held at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee on Friday, Feb. 28. All events are FREE to the general public.
Athletes from across the state will converge on Wenatchee, Mission Ridge Ski Resort and Leavenworth to compete in six sports during the three-day event: Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Snowboarding and Basketball. The 1,500 athletes will be supported by nearly 300 coaches and 700 volunteers.
Spectators are always welcome!
More info here
Friday, Feb. 28th / 12:30pm – 2:30pm / Leavenworth Sports Club – Fish Hatchery (Preliminaries)
Saturday, Feb. 29th / 9:00am – 4:00pm / Leavenworth Sports Club – Fish Hatchery
Sunday, March 1st / 9:30am – 3:30pm / Leavenworth Sports Club – Fish Hatchery

Winter Four Minutes of Fame
2020-02-27 18:30 - 21:00 UTC
Location: Milepost 111 Brewing Company-407 Aplets Way Cashmere WA 98815
Want to try out a few pages of your recent inspiration? Eager to read from your just-published memoir? Got poems? Plan on a fun and casual evening sharing original work at Write On The River’s open mic, “Four Minutes of Fame.”
We start gathering at 6:30, and readings start at 7:00. Food and beverages are available all evening.
“Four Minutes of Fame” is free to the public, and anyone may participate, but reading slots are limited. Sign up to read at marlene@team-farrell.com.

Avalanche Cycles & Atmospheric Rivers with W.R.I.
2020-02-27 18:00 - 19:00
Science on Tap! Avalanche Cycles and Atmospheric Rivers- the winter of 2019-20 in the Central Cascades
On Thu. Feb. 27, 6-7pm, learn life-saving information during Wenatchee River Institute’s (WRI) Science on Tap! at Badger Mountain Brewing, 1 Orondo Ave. in Wenatchee. Matt Primomo, avalanche specialist for Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) will talk about this season’s snowpack, weather, and avalanche events, exploring the correlation between avalanche cycles and atmospheric rivers.
Whether you backcountry ski, snowboard, snowshoe, snowmobile, winter camp, or just like to get out on the snow, avalanche education and snow science is for you. During this Science on Tap! presentation you will learn from one of the best. Leavenworth resident Primomo is an Avalanche Specialist who has worked with NWAC since 2018 and writes the avalanche advisories for the East Central, East North, and Stevens Pass zones.
About Pacific Northwest snow, Primomo said, “The weather patterns and how they interact with the mountains can be super complex. The mountains themselves take up such a large amount of area and it’s so diverse. It’s been wild to track and think about snowpack in a spatial sense from the Pacific Crest all the way to the Columbia River.” From the NWAC website.
This is a free event with $1 raffle tickets for WRI and Badger Mountain Brewing prizes to raise funds for WRI youth and adult programs. Feeling lucky? Come out on Feb. 27 and buy a handful of raffle tickets, enjoy refreshing beverages, and learn how more than mere luck will keep you safer in the backcountry.
For more information, contact Rachel Bishop at (509)548-0181 x5 rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
Event link and registration here: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/02/27/science-on-tap-avalanche-cycles-and-atmospheric-rivers-the-winter-of-2019-20-in-the-central-cascades/281940

Pybus University-Working Towards Zero Waste
2020-02-25 19:00 - 20:30
We all want to reduce our waste, but is “zero waste” really achievable? Join us in a discussion about ways to produce less garbage. What can really be recycled in NCW? What can be avoided entirely? And should “zero waste” really be the goal? We’ll take a virtual walk through the typical home, talking about practical ways to reduce waste in each area of our lives. There will be an emphasis on items we use in the kitchen and “on-the-go,” where much of our waste comes from. We will provide ideas for reusable items that can replace disposable options, and where to find them. We’ll provide local resources for recycling, reusing and composting as well. We’ll also talk about how we can change our outlook from the focus on consumption and convenience, to one of being mindful about the “stuff” that we buy and where it goes when we’re done with it.
This is a FREE event but Pybus asks attendees to register using the link below. Rumor has it that there could also be free childcare for this event provided by TEAMS Learning Center (stay tuned!).
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/working-towards-zero-waste-tickets-86610884487

Fly Tying Series with W.R.I.
2020-02-25 18:00 - 20:00, 2020-02-18 18:00 - 20:00
Fly Tying Series with Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers’ Bruce Merighi and the Wenatchee River Institute
Do you fly fish or would you like to fly fish? Then you need flies! Learn the basics of fly tying from Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers’ Bruce Merighi. This is a five-Tuesday series Feb. 11 – Mar. 10, 6-8PM in Wenatchee River Institute’s Red Barn, 347 Division St. in Leavenworth. There is nothing like catching a fish with a fly you hand tied.
Enjoy small-group instruction by Merighi and the Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers, assisted by the Trout Unlimited Icicle Valley Chapter. Learn about fly-fishing equipment, philosophy and the basic entomological connections between aquatic food sources and local fish -with minimal Latin. Each student will come away with an understanding of beginning fly tying techniques, including the use of tools and various fly tying materials enabling the independent tying of diverse patterns.
“Tying a fly is more than bringing together materials to create a lure. It’s realizing you must learn so much more in order to fish correctly with a fly. Its not just randomly trolling, casting with large lures, or chucking a glob of fish food out from shore in hopes a fish might randomly swim by and take the bait. It’s first understanding why a fish would take your offering and then bringing together those materials to create an appealing fly,” tells Merighi.
Merighi received his first fly-fishing outfit for his 8th birthday. After losing most of the flies from the kit amongst tree branches and between deep rocks, he bought a few hooks, gathered a few strands of Christmas tinsel and together with dust bunnies collected from under his bed, he tied his first flies. From then on, Merighi was hooked!
Find out more about observing the natural habitat of the fish species you are perusing to determine the best appearance and action of your entomological creation. You will then be able to experience the satisfaction of catching fish with your own hand tied flies.
All materials and tools are provided. Students will leave with 6-8 flies to begin new fly-fishing adventures. Class size is limited to 12, is designed for ages 15 and up with skill levels from beginner to Intermediate. Please contact Rachel Bishop with questions, rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org or 509-548-0181 x5.
Series cost is $60 for WRI-members and $70 for non-members, including all five evenings with materials and tools provided.
Event link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/02/11/fly-tying-series/274359
Additional Links: http://wenatcheevalleyflyfishers.com/ and https://iciclevalley.tu.org/

Lake Wen. State Park-Guided Snowshoe Hike
2020-02-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2020-02-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2020-02-08 13:00 - 15:00
Join Lake Wenatchee State Park staff every Saturday in January & February at 1pm as park staff guide you on a snowshoe hike through scenery along the Wenatchee River, the shore of Lake Wenatchee, and surrounding forest. Participants can enjoy a well-packed route through parts of our park that are not always accessible in summer. Expect some historical talking points about the park and views of Nason Ridge, Dirty Face, and South Beach.
When: 1 Pm
Where: North Entrance by the reservation booth, which is located 4.5 miles from HWY 2 on HWY 207/ Lake Wenatchee Highway. Meet just beyond the reservation station.
Name of trail: Lake Loop Snowshoe Trail
Length of Hike: 2 mile loop full route, shortcut option available
Difficulty: Easy
Things to know: Hike is subject to change dependent upon snow/weather conditions. Pit toilet available in North Park, full restrooms in the South Park.
Cost: Hike is free, however participants must display your valid Sno-Park permit for parking (available for purchase).
Minimum Age: None
Rental Costs : Adults $12 Youth $8
Pets: On leash
Event Info: (509) 763-3101 Please call ahead to confirm the hike is still happening, or for any changes of time or location.

S.A.S. Snow Day!
2020-02-22 08:00 - 16:00
This is a women/girl-specific event. All ages and abilities.
All sisters welcome!
Sisters in Action Sports (SAS) is partnering with Stevens Pass Mountain Resort to welcome women/girl skiers/snowboarders for a “SNOW DAY” on the mountain! This is an inclusive, safe, and community-building event for girls and women of all ages and abilities. We aim to encourage, empower, and increase participation in action sports at all levels.
There will be vendors, ski/snowboard demos, raffles, two group rides, and FUN for all! This event is truly about building a community, challenging each other, mentoring, inspiring, demoing new gear, and meeting new friends.
**Event Schedule coming soon!
For more information click here.

Moonlight Snowshoe Stroll at W.R.I.
2020-02-21 17:00 - 19:00
Moonlight Snowshoe Stroll at Wenatchee River Institute
On Fri., Feb. 21, take a guided snowshoe stroll along the whispering Wenatchee River on Leavenworth’s Riverfront Park Trail and Barn Beach Reserve property. The tour will start at 5PM from the Wenatchee River Institute (WRI), 347 Division St. in Leavenworth.
Experience the natural world at dusk and then ambient-lit darkness, while on snowshoes. WRI naturalists will guide the tour talking about the night sky constellations and waterscape along the way. Snowshoes provided and the stroll will end by 7PM, with hot cocoa at the ready as a warm-up. This will surely be a night to remember!
On the 21st, meet by 5pm at WRI’s Red Barn, 347 Division St. in Leavenworth and prepare for cold, nighttime temperatures. Cost is $14 for WRI-members and $20 for non-members. For more information, contact Rachel Bishop at (509)548-0181 x5 or rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
Event link and registration here: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/02/21/moonlight-snowshoe-stroll/268641

Geology of Antarctica: Hot Science on a Cold Continent
2020-02-19 16:00 - 17:00
All events are open to the public, and run from 4 to 5 p.m. and will be held at the WSU Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center on Wednesdays from 4-5 P.M. (1100 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee).
2/19/2020
Dr. Audrey Huerta, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Geology, Central Washington University
“Geology of Antarctica: Hot Science on a cold Continent”
Professor Huerta has been studying the Geology of Antarctica for the past 15 years. Her primary interests is understanding the Geologic Evolution of the southern-most continent. More recently, the potential sea-level rise from the loss of the Antarctic Ice Sheets has motivated Dr. Huerta to study the impact of the geology of Antarctica on the stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheets. In this talk, Prof Huerta will discuss the results of the 10-year international project POLENET, and share the challenges and rewards of Antarctic field work.

Winter Break Snow Camp (K-3rd)
2020-02-18 - 2020-02-21
Winter Break Snow Camp (K-3rd)
Tuesday, February 18 through Friday, February 21, 9AM to 3PM each day
Wenatchee River Institute’s Red Barn, 347 Division St. in Leavenworth, WA
Join Wenatchee River Institute for an adventurous week in winter, living on the wild side. Spend four, fun filled days playing outside and learning new things! In this exciting winter camp, young campers will go snowshoeing, learn to use a bow and arrow, track wildlife, and use scientific tools. Snowshoes, kid-friendly bows and arrows, and scientific tools provided.
Days will be spent outdoors exploring the amazing world of Barn Beach Reserve and beyond -seeing new things, learning new skills and most of all, having FUN. Don’t miss out!
Space is limited so please, register soon. WRI-Membership discounts apply for those with a Family-Membership or greater. Email us to receive the membership (promo) code that must be entered upon registering.
Camp link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/02/21/winter-break-snow-camp-k-3rd-/274417 Registration Link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event-form/registration-form/43490/tickets

Avalanche Awareness Class
2020-02-17 19:00 - 20:30
Date: Monday Feb. 17th 7pm-8:30pm
Location: Riverfront Rock Gym
Join NWAC’s Conrad for a free avalanche awareness class. Spots are limited so show up early to get a chair!
For more information click here.

Footholds Presents: Youth Climb!
2020-02-17 11:00 - 15:00
CVCH CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES- Footholds and Columbia Valley Community Health are providing the opportunity for youth who have limited access or funds to experience rock climbing.
Join us for a day at the gym to learn to climb and have fun on a school holiday, Presidents’ Day!
RESERVATIONS NEEDED in order to best serve our community. PLEASE CONTACT footholdscorp@gmail.com TO REGISTER. Limited spots available. Priority to CVCH clients and families first.
ONCE REGISTERED, a gym climbing pass, rock climbing gear, and adult mentor/belayer will be provided for the day.
Session 1: 11am-1pm
Session 2: 1pm-3pm
To learn more about our mission and vision or donate to the cause, please visit our website:
https://www.footholds.rocks/
If interested in volunteer opportunities, please email us.

Valentine's Day Dinner 2!
2020-02-15 17:00 - 21:00
Location: Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort
Were you busy on the 14th? Don’t worry, we’re offering Valentine’s Day Dinner on Saturday, February 15th as well!
Looking for a change of pace this Valentine’s Day? Mission Ridge has the answer. Join us for our annual Valentine’s Day Dinner at Midway Lodge.
The evening kicks off with a scenic snowshoe up to the Midway Lodge. Take in the mountains as live music greets you upon you and your special someone’s arrival. Enjoy wine-tasting by the fire pit before your fine-dining experience begins.
Check-in will be at Hampton Lodge from 5:30 to 6:00 PM.
Book now online and save 25%. Don’t wait as we can only accept 50 reservations per night. The cost is $75 per person in advance online and $100 the night of the dinner. Reservations include two drinks.
Snowshoe rentals are available for $20 a pair at the Rental Shop at the mountain.
We can’t wait to see all you lovebirds on the mountain!
For more information click here.

Echo Ridge Ski Day
2020-02-15 08:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day trip to ski at Echo Ridge Nordic Center, enjoying the scenic beauty of the Chelan Valley, with an Apres Ski at Tsillan Cellars!
Echo Ridge Trail – Upper Trailhead
Chelan, Washington 98826
www.skiplain.com/pvaw/winter
$30 PVAW Members/$40 non-members
(trail pass and gear not included)
We will carpool to Echo Ridge Nordic Center from Beaver Creek Trailhead of Plain Valley Ski Trails with estimated return by 5 pm.
Skate or classic, your choice! Or ski a bit on both:)
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Must provide your own ski gear and trail pass for Echo Ridge Nordic Trails. Ski equipment rentals are available at Plain Hardware.
Any questions? Email PVAW@SkiPlain.com.

Winthrop Snowshoe Softball Tournament
2020-02-15 - 2020-02-16
The Winthrop Snowshoe Softball tournament is a popular annual winter-time event sponsored by the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce and Three Fingered Jack’s Saloon. Now in its third decade, this tournament is held every February on the three-day President’s Day weekend.
On President’s weekend, up to eight out-of-town and local coed snowshoe softball teams converge on Winthrop’s ball field for a weekend of good sport, great fun and an out of the ordinary event – one which is enjoyed by participants and spectators alike.
As the name implies, snowshoe softball is an actual softball tournament played in the snow with the participants strapped into snowshoes. The teams must be comprised of equal numbers of men and women. To enable the participants and the spectators to keep track of the action, all of the balls are florescent yellow.
http://winthropwashington.com/event/snowshoe-softball-tournament

Waterfront Park Snowshoe with W.R.I.
2020-02-13 10:00 - 12:00
Leavenworth Waterfront Park Trail Snowshoe Tours with Wenatchee River institute
Leavenworth– Every Thursday in January and February from 10am to 12noon, local naturalist guides will lead free snowshoe strolls on the Waterfront Park Trail along the beautiful Wenatchee River. Enjoy the feeling of being in the wilderness while remaining in close proximity to the bustling downtown area.
“These strolls are all about giving people a chance to try snowshoeing for the first time or to just come out and enjoy the beauty of the Wenatchee River covered in snow! Mix and mingle with each other while learning about the amazing ecosystem all around us,” said Rachel Bishop, snowshoe guide and Wenatchee River Institute Community Education Lead.
All ages and experience levels are welcome, from first time to seasoned snowshoers. Snowshoes provided. Please dress for cold weather and bring a snack and warm beverage to help keep you toasty and energized. Meet to snowshoe from the Wenatchee River Institute campus, 347 Division Street in Leavenworth.
Drop-ins are welcome and reservations required for groups of eight or more. To make reservations or with questions, call Rachel, 509-548-0181 x5 or email rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
Event Link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/01/02/1577988000/snowshoe-stroll-at-wri-/267654

Canoeing the Hood River at W.R.I.
2020-02-12 19:00 - 20:30
Canoeing the Hood River, an adventure to the vanishing Arctic, Wenatchee River Institute Red Barn Event
In July 2019, Wenatchee Valley residents Gordon Congdon, Paul Hessburg, Gary Womeldorff, and Andy Dappen spent 23 days canoeing the Hood River, a river flowing northeasterly from the lakes of Nunavut in northern Canada to the Arctic Sound. On Wed., Feb. 12, 7-8:30pm, come hear tales of their trip in WRI’s Red Barn, 347 Division St. in Leavenworth.
The combination of abundant wildlife, challenging whitewater, extreme remoteness, and rugged landscape make Hood River one of the premier northern rivers to canoe. Yet, the many portages around un-runnable rapids and waterfalls makes it a physically demanding trip; only a few groups paddle it each year.
“The four of us who took the trip are in our mid-60s, and we worried if we didn’t do this river soon we wouldn’t be doing it all,” said Dappen. “We felt it important to run the river sooner rather than later, partly because we were still fit enough for all the portaging, and partly because the Arctic is changing so fast,” he concluded.
By the mid-1980s, the Bathurst caribou herd was composed of over 472,000 animals migrating north through this watershed during summer to feed on nutrient-rich foliage and lichens near the Arctic Sound. In late summer, the herd again travels through the watershed, returning to the more sheltered wintering grounds of the boreal forest to the south. A variety of environmental challenges connected to climate change has seen the herd numbers crash, and by 2018 the herd had diminished to a mere 8,200 animals.
“When a keystone species like the caribou crashes, everything dependent on it implodes along with it, from beetles, birds, beers and wolves to vegetation. The Arctic we experienced was not really the Arctic of old, what we experienced was really only a romanticized concept of the Arctic,” lamented Dappen.
Congdon prefers to canoe through wild, remote places, where the chances are good to see large carnivores, such as wolves and grizzly bear. Says Congdon, “I love the Arctic. The tundra landscape explodes with life during the 6-week summer season. The sun never sets so you can paddle during the day and hike long into the evening.”
While the area is referred to as barren lands because of its far north location and temperatures cold enough to prevent forest growth, at ground level the canoers enjoyed taking in the sights of dwarf trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, sedges, mosses, fungus, and lichen carpeting every available square inch of ground. “The land is anything but barren, it is lush with both flora and the fauna,” explains Dappen.
Part discussion, part slideshow set to ballad poetry written by Hessburg during the journey, this presentation captures the essence and magnitude of the adventure, while also addressing the scope and importance of what is being lost in the vanishing Arctic.
And while the group would certainly enjoy padding the Hood again, considering limitations of time and funds, they are keen to set their sights on new rivers to paddle and adventures to be had.
Doors open at 6:30pm for community social and no-host refreshments, presentation begins at 7:00pm. While this a free event, donations are appreciated and will help WRI continue to bring enriching programs like this to the greater Wenatchee Valley community. Please contact Rebecca Ryan with questions, (509)548-1818 x2, or rryan@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
Event link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/02/12/red-barn-event-canoeing-the-hood-river-an-adventure-to-the-vanishing-arctic/272232

Pybus Univ.-Salmon in Our Streams
2020-02-11 19:00 - 20:30
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 7 PM – 8:15 PM
Location: Pybus Public Market
7 N Worthen St, Wenatchee, Washington 98801
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the salmon we have right here in our backyard? Where to see them, fish for them, or just want to know more about them? In this class we will teach you everything you want to know about this iconic species and it’s importance to our streams, forests, and communities. We will also share some great fishing tips from local experts so you can get out and catch one of these delicious fish!
Greer Maier has worked as a fish biologist for the past 10 years. She received a Master’s of Science from the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences studying juvenile Chinook salmon in the Columbia River estuary. Her professional experience includes working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Forest Service. She was also awarded a Knauss fellowship in 2007 to work in Washington, D.C. on national fisheries issues. Greer not only loves working in the rivers of North Central Washington she also enjoys recreating on and around them with her family.
Dave Graybill (the “Fishing Magician”) is an active angler and also dedicates much of his time to management issues of the fisheries Eastern Washington and the Columbia River basin. He is currently a member of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and has served on the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Board, the Citizen Advisory Board for the Upper Columbia Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Board and was a founding member and active with the Ad Hoc Committee on Upper Columbia Recreational Fishing Group. He also has served for many years on the boards of the Wenatchee River Salmon Festival and Friends of Northwest Hatcheries. He is also involved in wildlife organizations such as the Wenatchee Sportsmen’s Association, and the Lake Chelan Sportsman’s Association. Plus, he’s engaged with conservation organizations such as the Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and has been a member of the Coastal Conservation Association since it formed a local chapter in Wenatchee. His business, FishingMagician.com LLC, is dedicated to providing current information on sport fishing throughout Eastern Washington. He is featured weekly in newspapers in Eastern Washington and on a regular basis in the Seattle Times sports section. As a result, he has a close working relationship with a long list of Federal and State agencies that impact sport fishing issues in Washington State, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Colville Confederated Tribes; Chelan, Grant, and Douglas County PUDs; and others.

Fly Tying Series at W.R.I.
2020-02-11 18:00 - 20:00

Skirennen Nordic Race
2020-02-09 08:30 - 13:30
Skirennen Nordic Race
What: Classic Cross Races for all ages and abilities!
When: Sunday, February 9th
Where: Leavenworth Ski Hill
Lollipop race Free For those who do not want to be in a timed event
1.5 km race Free U6, U8 and U10 (born in 2010 or later)
3.0 km race Free U12 and U14 (born in 2006-2009)
4.5 km race Free U16, U18, U20 (born 2000-2005)
4.5 km race $15 Open (born in 1999 or earlier)
Online registration closes at 5pm on 2/08/20.
Registration is still required for the Lollipop, 1.5 km and 3.0 km races, even though they are free. Registration for the Lollipop race is only available on race day.
Day-of-race registration will be available for $20 (4.5 km Open only – other races are still free)
Trail passes are not required for racers or spectators.
In the event that poor snow conditions require a change in venue, we will post information on this site & email those registered.
Race Schedule (times subject to change, as needed):
8:30-9:45am – Day-of registration, bib pick-up and course inspection
10:10am – 4.5 km race (in waves)
10:50am – 3.0 km race (in waves)
11:30am – 1.5 km race (in waves)
12:00pm – Lollipop race
Awards to follow
Washington Nordic Cup Series
We are proud to be a part of the Washington Nordic Cup, a series of races for young competitors to develop their skiing and racing skills independent of the Junior National qualifying circuit. Athletes from around the region will compete this weekend for points, all building toward the season-ending finale races in March. Participants in the Washington Nordic Cup should follow the distance recommendations above to be scored.
Any skiers wishing to ski a different distance for their age will receive the minimum points score for that event in the Washington Cup.
For more information click here.

WA Nordic Cup Freestyle Race #4
2020-02-08 11:00 - 13:00
The Washington Nordic Cup (WNC) is a fun and youth-focused cross country ski race series open to skiers ages 6 – 19. There are five race events during the winter season. Event locations are throughout the east side of the Cascade Mountains. WNC Member Clubs from each area host the races. The clubs are members of the Pacific Northwest Ski & Snowboard Association (PNSA), a member division of U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
The goal of the WNC is to create fun, low cost, and low stress racing opportunities that are close to our home towns in Washington State. Races will be a mix of traditional diagonal stride in the tracks and skate technique. Some events will have course themes such as skiercross with jumps, bumps, and obstacles, while others will have outfit themes such as crazy tights.
Participants will register for each race individually. Skiers will earn points at each race based on how they finish relative to skiers of similar age and sex. Points earned will automatically be calculated and added to the WNC Results. At the last race of the season, top point earners will be recognized and earn prizes.
Plain Valley Nordic Team is excited to host Race #4 of the five-race Washington Nordic Cup series. This cross country ski race is a fun and youth-focused series open to skiers of all ages.
RACE LOCATION
Plain Valley Ski Trails
located directly across from
Plain Hardware
18636 Beaver Valley Road
Plain, WA 98826
RACE DETAILS
All races are open to all ages and abilities. All races will be skate technique. Skier-cross elements are part of all distances of this race. It is important that athletes inspect and ski the course prior to their race. These elements can include jumps, steep descents, obstacles, irregular bumps, and more.
AWARDS
Awards will be given per race according to WNC scoring guidelines at Washington Nordic Cup Guidelines.
To be scored as a participant in the WNC Series, skiers must follow the below distance guidelines. Any skier wishing to ski a distance different from their age-designated race will receive the minimum points score for that event in the WNC.
6 km – Race open to all ages. Scoring for U16, U18 and U20.
2.2 km – Race open to all ages. Scoring for U12 and U14.
1.5 km – Race open to all ages. Scoring for U8 and U10.
RACE SCHEDULE
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Race Number Pickup
11:00 am: 6 km Race
11:30 am: 2.2 km Race
Noon: 1.5 km Race
12:15pm: Lollipop Race
Awards to follow
REGISTRATION
Free! Please register online by 5 pm, Friday, February 7th.
For more information click here.

2020 Echo Ridge Loppet!
2020-02-08 10:00 - 13:00
Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:
Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (PST)
Location: Echo Ridge Recreation Area Trailheads
Registration is open for the 2020 Echo Ridge Loppet! Click the link below to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-echo-ridge-loppet-tickets-90572435593
The Lake Chelan Nordic Club will be hosting the 5th annual Echo Ridge Ski Loppet on February 8th, 2020 at the Echo Ridge Nordic Area. A loppet is a great gathering of skiers who ski on a specifically groomed trails, either classic (diagonal stride) or free (skating technique) of various distances. The Echo Ridge Ski Loppet is a non-competitive, timed, event.
Three loops will be available to choose from: 1) Novice 5 KM, 2) Best Echo Skate 15 KM, and 3) Best Echo Classic 10KM or complete all three loops for the 30K Echoathon!
Registration/bib pickup will begin at 9:00 in front of the yurt at the upper parking lot at Echo Ridge and the mass start begins at 10:00 a.m. Event swag, hot homemade soups, fresh bread, and warm refreshments will be available starting at 11:00 at the yurt.
Loppet tickets are $25 for adults plus a $10 ski pass per person for non-season pass holders. Kids ski free! Loppet tickets can be purchased the day of the event (cash or check only) or by registering online. $10 ski passes can be purchased at the trailhead the day of the event (cash or check only).
Come enjoy the Lake Chelan Nordic Club’s cozy yurt and outstanding trail grooming!!!
Additional information on the event can be found at LakeChelanNordic.org or by calling the Lake Chelan Nordic Club president Catherine Willard at 509-699-8189

Cascades Wildlife Tracking Certification Class w/ Dave Moskowitz
2020-02-08 09:00 - 2020-02-09 17:00
Hosted by Wenatchee River Institute at Barn Beach Reserve and Tracker Certification North America
Spend two full days in the greater Leavenworth area, with professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, educator and author, David Moskowitz. This class is a wildlife track and sign certification class through CyberTracker Tracker Certification North America. David’s approach to this class is highly interactive, engaging participants in identification and interpretation of tracks and signs. Lots of time for questions and discussion is built in. This style is an excellent way to learn and investigate, with the chance to achieve a wildlife tracking certificate through Cybertracker Conservation. Certificates are awarded on three levels. You will not want to miss this opportunity!
Cost: $290 members, $330 non-members
Food and lodging not included. Limit of 10 participants!
If you are coming in from out of town, check the event’s page on our website for more info about staying with our partner, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort.
For more info click here.

Wenatchee Polar Plunge!
2020-02-08 09:00 - 12:00
Hosted by Special Olympics Washington
Location: Walla Wall Point Park in Wenatchee. 1351 Walla Walla Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98801
The cold is temporary, the impact is not
Register: https://impact.sowa.org/PolarPlungeWenatchee2020
Grab your friends, get your costumes, and make a splash to make a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities — anyone with a little courage, a warm heart, and a desire to support a worthy cause is welcome to join us in Freezin’ for a REASON!
The Polar Plunge is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations, and businesses to support Special Olympics athletes by collecting pledges and plunging into the Columbia River.
Too Chicken to Plunge? Cheer on from the sidelines in the “Chicken Coop.” You can still raise funds, win prizes, and make a difference in the lives of countless local athletes without getting wet!
Each participant must raise a minimum of $50 by Plunge day.
For more information click here.

Winter Birding!
2020-02-08 08:00 - 17:00
Presented by the North Central Washington Audubon Society
Saturday Feb 8th from 8am-5pm
Join us for a birding trip to the Waterville Plateau, Bridgeport Bar, and Columbia River.
Meet at 8:00 am at 208 West Nixon Street in Chelan.
We will spend the day birding a variety of habitats where we expect to find a nice mix of resident and migrant species that winter in our area.
Please bring a lunch, snacks, liquids, and dress for the weather.
Carpool cost: $25 per vehicle to be shared equally by riders.
Back by 5:00 pm.
To sign up, please email Mark at s697striata@frontier.com or call 253-297-0705.
Limited to eleven birders.

Numerica Railes & Ales 2020
2020-02-07 17:00 - 21:00
The biggest event of the winter is right around the corner, Numerica Rails and Ales. Mission Ridge, Numerica Credit Union and Badger Mountain Brewing are once again teaming up to bring one of the Wenatchee Valley’s legendary events, Rails and Ales, back for year six!
We’re closing down Orondo Ave and Mission Ridge is bringing the mountain to you… literally. Snow and terrain park features form the mountain will be brought down for an epic evening of skiing, snowboarding, music, and fun in the heart of downtown Wenatchee. Come watch some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the state throwdown in this ski and snowboard rail jam contest.
Badger Mountain Brewery along with your other favorite your local breweries will be hosting the beer garden outdoor beer garden (21+ only) featuring local craft beer and live music after the Rail Jam.
Don’t let the title fool you – this is an awesome event for the whole family to enjoy.
Event Details
Cash prizes for event competitors in Men’s Ski and Snowboard as well as Women’s Ski and Snowboard
Live Music and after party outside Badger Mountain Brewery after the rail jam.
Interested in competing? Contact Mission Ridge by emailing marketing@missionridge.com.
A special thanks to all the sponsors who make this event possible: Numerica Credit Union | Cascade Autocenter | Weinstein Beverage Co | Mela Coffee Roasting | Lithic Skis | HEAD Skis | Wenatchee Valley Chamber Of Commerce | Badger Mountain Brewing

Native Stink Bugs & their Plant Hosts
2020-02-07 17:00 - 19:30
Where: Community Cultural Center of Tonasket, 411 S. Western Ave
When: Friday, February 7, 2020
• 5:15 – Dinner benefitting the CCC
• 6:30 – Presentation by Jim Hepler
Cost: Presentation is free; dinner is $10 per plate; desserts by donation (benefit for the CCC)
Native Stink Bugs and their Plant Hosts, with Jim Hepler
Event Description: Come and learn more than you ever thought you would about eastern Washington’s local, native stink bugs and the plants they rely on. WSU entomologist and charismatic speaker, Jim Hepler, will share his passion and knowledge — and, if you don’t love stink bugs now, by the end of the night, well — you will at least have an increased respect for their place in our ecosystems.
“Stink bugs are not often considered when one thinks about animal life in the desert, but they are present in surprising diversity and abundance. I will take you through the natural history of these fascinating insects, including their host plant associations and seasonal behavior, and the menagerie of predators, parasites, and parasitoids that depend on them.”
More Information:
• Clock hours are available for educators. Please be sure to sign in the day of the event.
• Donations are always welcome!
• Questions? Contact Jen at jen@okanoganhighlands.org or 509-429-4399
• https://okanoganhighlands.org/education/highland-wonders/
