December News, President's Message

[Panhandle Nordic]

On Friday, November 30^th we plan to raise the superstructure of the snowshoe hut and ,time permitting, clear a little more of the Jeanette’s Jaunt snowshoe trail. Otherwise we are just waiting for a substantial snowfall in order to move up the groomers, turn the gates, and open the Fourth of July Ski & Snowshoe Area for the winter season. All the other trails were clear when last we looked a little over a week ago. The newly tailored covering for the snowshoe hut can be installed, stoves set up, and signs placed when the snow permits easier access by snow machine.

Important Dates

As the Yuletide season bears down on us and we are all busy with family and friends, there are some important dates we hope you will keep in mind:

December 4^th is our next regular meeting. It is also the annual cookie exchange, so bring in those cookies to trade and keep in mind that Jackie Berry will want to siphon some off for the Department of Transportation care basket so please bring a few extra if possible. The Departments road crews keep the access road and parking lot plowed and each year we say our thanks with the basket containing cookies and other goodies. More detail will be provided below on the program.

January 5^th is the annual Free Ski Day declared by the state. All Park N Ski Areas are open to the public free of charge that day. The club has chosen this day for its annual Best Hand Ski Event. The event is a fund raiser for the club. Prizes this year again follow the catered dinner/trip list we had last year with some donated prizes by our ardent supporters. These include the ever popular gourmet catered dinner which inspired our approach, an overnight guided canoe trip to Upper Priest Lake, a hike with a catered lunch, and a bike ride outing with ice cream at Harrison. This and other prizes will make the entry fee worthwhile.

January 8^th will be our first meeting of the 2013. New Year day falls on a Tuesday this year so that will back us up one week.

January 26 – 27 Overnight Trip, Palouse Divide Lodge.  See Details at Bottom.

Consider a Hog Loppet

The Board is considering a new event for later this year, a Hog Loppet. The o in Hog is umlauted, so my Germanic friends tell me it is pronounces Hoog Lopt at least in German. A Hog Loppet is a friendly and long group ski with refreshments and food stops along the way. We are considering 8.5, 10 and 16 mile trips all based at the Fourth of July Area. Such an array will accommodate beginners through seasoned skiers. These events are becoming popular in the Wenatchee Area, the Methow, and also in Canada, so we thought we might want to try one here. We hope to have a video at our next meeting to give you a better idea of this type of ski experience. Who knows we might add a Snowshoe Loppet.

Next Meeting - December 4, 2012

The next meeting will be December 4^th at 7:00 PM at the Coeur d’Alene River (Fernan) Ranger Station at 2502 E. Sherman Avenue, Fernan Village. Please park in the rear parking lot that will be open and come downstairs to the conference room. Remember to bring cookies for the exchange if you can. There will be announcements and sign-ups for the Best Hand event and a short video on a Hog Loppet. The main program will be given by Jim McMillan and friends on their recent trek through Nepal in October. Hope to see you there.

Geoff Harvey

Sat. - Sunday January 26 - 27.  Palouse Divide Lodge.  Overnight.  It will be $65 per person, which includes Dinner and Breakfast.  (If you have dietary needs they can accommodate – let me know.  Access to ski trail and snowshoeing plus sledding hill.  We may not get the main lodge this year for sleeping, but the cabin out back which sleeps up to 14 people.  There are cooking facilities/ refrig. for lunch, etc. Beds are single.  Expect to share room.  Up to 4 in a room.  It was a hit last year.

Contact Hilma  660-9712  or webm...@panhandlenordicclub.com